5 comments about The Official SAT Study Guide, 2nd edition.

1. Took a little longer than expected to arrive. Product in perfect condition, I'm satisfied.
   Thank you



2. Don't bother with practice tests from Kaplan, Barrons, etc. The tests in this book are created with the same secret set of rules as are actual SAT tests, so the tests in this book are far better for practicing with.
   
   Only complaint is that there are a few typos.
   
   50 hours with this book increased my score from 2130 to 2330. That's an increase from the 97.2nd percentile to the 99.8th percentile, from 1/35 rarity to 1/500 rarity. That increase really speaks for itself about how much this book helped me. Easily worth the money and time.



3. This book contains several mistakes in the answer keys. It comes with a sheet of paper correcting the errors, but this shows an unprofessional publishing process. Also, many of the ten tests in the back are repeated from the first edition. Not actually giving 10 new tests.



4. i personally think that this is the best SAT prep book out there. My kids used the SAT books published by the College Board and had gotten good results. They scored 790 and 800 in math. Despite of some typos in the latest edition, I still give it 5 stars. I don't believe that other publishers can come up with questions like the College Board. How can a copy be the same or better than the original?



5. I can't believe it was possible, but CollegeBoard has improved upon the previous edition of the SAT manual. Now the book has 10 practice tests. This is a must-buy for college-bound students!

5 comments about The Real ACT Prep Guide: The Only Official Prep Guide From The Makers Of The ACT.

1. The book arrived in a timely manner and looked new. We are very happy with it.



2. If you're looking for practice tests (not an 'ACT strategies' book), then this book will pretty much do it for you. It's got three REAL ACT Practice tests that have been used in years past for the REAL ACT.This is no doubt the best way to improve on the ACT. By taking these tests you can get really accurate information on how you are going to do on the REAL test. However, if you are going to take these tests, I would advise taking them in REAL ACT conditions by giving yourself three hours at once to sit down and take one test after another with a fifteen minute break in between the first and last two tests just like they do on the REAL ACT. This will give you the most accurate predictions.
   
   For an example of how accurate it is, I got a 30 on my first practice test from this book, and a 29 on my first REAL ACT. Not an exact match, but pretty darn close.
   
   The 'strategies' given in the front of the book are completely useless, so if you're looking for that kind of book I would buy Barron's ACT 36: Aiming for the Perfect Score, especially if you're aiming for anything higher than a 25.
   
   However, just like many of you are probably thinking, when I saw this book I thought: "Only three? But I'm planning on taking the REAL ACT three or four times and I want more practice!". Well, you've got a couple of different options if you're on the same page as I was:
   
   1. Find a testing program/class/tutor that can provide you with REAL ACT tests (I took a class at my high school that gave me another three REAL ACT test)
   2. Buy McGraw-Hill's 10 ACT Practice Tests, Second Edition (McGraw-Hill's 10 Practice Acts) and use those. They're pretty decent, but look at my review on them for more information about that.
   
   Overall, this book is going to give you 3 REAL ACT Practice Tests, and that is the sole reason you should buy it. Only a REAL test that has been used before is going to give you the most accurate information that you can get. It doesn't matter if you're aiming for the 'teens' , 'twenties' , or even 'thirties' , 3 REAL practice tests are the best studying you can do.



3. This is only book that has real tests from the people who make the real tests. Nothing improves your scores more that practice with the real thing. The explanations are also excellent. You must get this book for the real practice.
   
   If you want a good summary of what concepts are frequently tested, you will not find it this book. The strategies in to book are not practical. If you follow the advice in the book, you will never finish the real ACT test on time. For concepts and strategies get, DISSECTING THE ACT 2.0: ACT TEST PREPARATION ADVICE OF A PERFECT SCORER or ACT TEST PREP WITH REAL ACT QUESTIONS This nice little book fills in the weakness of the official book.



4. I tutor students in ACT prep and this is the only workbook I use. I like it because it has real ACT tests from the past, so my students feel confident walking into the test for real. But if you're looking to learn good strategies, this is not the resource for you. I would go with Princeton Review's smaller book, I forget the exact title, but it outlines ten survival tips for acing the ACT. That book is very good for those purposes.



5. I really like the product. I think it will help a lot on the ACT test.

5 comments about Cracking the AP U.S. History Exam, 2010 Edition (College Test Preparation).

1. This review book is even better than I expected. Princeton Review is certainly the better review book especially if you're barely buying the book and are going to be on a short leash...



2. Awesome book to help prepare you for your AP test. This book is a must.



3. Tom Meltzer and Jean Hofheimer Bennett's CRACKING THE AP U.S. HISTORY EXAM, 2010 EDITION offers practical details on the AP U.S. History Exam, covering both essay types and offering students clear strategies on how to form the best responses to both essay and multiple-choice questions. From planning for the test to using resources, this is a top reference for any student's study collection.



4. The book was in the condition expected and got here really fast. Had not problems



5. Great book. Full of information necessary to the test that isn't necessarily in the school text book.

3 comments about Cracking the AP Calculus AB & BC Exams, 2010 Edition (College Test Preparation).

1. This guide is easy to read and perfectly tailored for the AP exams. I hated my actual textbook because it was so verbose.
   This has simple straightforward explanations, no messing around. All material is covered plus practice exams.
   It helped me get a 5 on the AB test. Need I say more?



2. Princeton Review's powerful AP Exam guides are many and are top picks for any reference library. They've updated some 17 guides to Advanced Placement tests and offer high school students fine study courses that include two full-length practice tests and reviews of the subject matter on the test. From BIOLOGY and CALCULUS AB AND BC to PSYCHOLOGY and STATISTICS and more, these are comprehensive guides not to be missed.



3. The Cracking the AP Calculus Exam is an invaluable resource for students in preparing for the AP exam. It reinforces concepts learned in the classroom and provides further examples and practice. Students who use this as well as the teacher resources tend to score a 4 or 5 on the exam.

3 comments about Cracking the AP World History Exam, 2010 Edition (College Test Preparation).

1. The item is fine.. the problem is: The Seller TOOK a LONG LONG LONG TIME to process/mail the item!!! Very inefficiency!!!



2. My world history textbook was an absolute PAIN to read. As a result, I decided to purchase this book to supplement the overall experience for the class. And it helped: significantly.
   
   The book starts off with info about the AP World History (WHAP) test, such as what to expect and how to answer questions. The huge chunk in the middle is like a secondary textbook, more on this later. The last part of the book contains 2 AP full length tests, in which I suggest you use one for a diagnostic and the second to test your skills.
   
   If a WORLD HISTORY book makes me actually enjoy reading it, its obviously going to stick in my head better. And that is the magic of this book. Don't expect huge lengthy paragraphs on certain chapters; rather, information you will actually need for the test. The book is sprinkled with some comical effects that make it much more easier to understand. Also, there are small information boxes that let you connect places to places, the main focus point of WHAP.
   
   The tests are probably the closest to College Board AP style as you will see in a reference book. Rather than asking for straight facts like some books I know, Princeton's uses an analytical basis for its questions. Furthermore, there is an answer key at the end with explanations about the answers as well.
   
   Some flaws with the book include no primary resources and no example essays. Though the book does give guidelines on how to write the essays, it would be nicer to see actual ones along with commentaries. The lack of primary resources isn't that significant, but still noteworthy.
   
   Overall, this is the BEST reference guide I've used for a class in a LONG time. If you want to make a 5 on your AP test, this book should definitely be your TOP priority.



3. I got this to help me study for the AP test in the spring. It is a great companion to my textbook as I get a different view on the same topic. Extra information is added to the subjects as well as a complete overview of the AP test, which is very helpful!

5 comments about The Best 371 Colleges, 2010 Edition (College Admissions Guides).

1. My daughter and I have found this and the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2010, 26E the two most useful books to help her narrow down her choices. We started off on the [..] website (also useful--and free) to find colleges that offered her major. We used some of the statistics on that site to further narrow it down. More than half of the colleges left were in this or Fiske (there is a lot of overlap--not many in one book but not the other, at least for the colleges on her list). This book gave much more "real life" information than the dry statistics on the college board website. My daughter chose to eliminate colleges where life revolved around football and/or the Greek system (which could be a plus for other students--the book doesn't make any moral judgments!) It includes the academic atmosphere: easy, hard, lots of red tape, large or small classes, cold and distant profs vs. enthusiastic profs who interact with students. It also gives a bit of feel for the types of students you are likely to find: political leanings, preppies, jocks, nerds, hippies, etc. Whatever a student's preferences in these areas, they will be able to get a better feel for which colleges may be worth a visit and which ones they almost certainly won't like. I would add though, that only students looking at more selective schools are likely to find many of interest here. Judging from the schools we browsed, it seems to start (selectivity-wise) around the big state universities and go up to the top Ivy League schools.



2. The 2010 edition of Robert Franek with Tom Meltzer, et.al.'s THE BEST 371 COLLEGES is based on 122,000 student ratings and covers the top 20 colleges in 62 categories. Everything from dorms to career centers, financial aid, academics and setting are rated in extensive descriptions to help any student decide. From planning for the test to using resources, this is a top reference for any student's study collection.



3. This was extremely informative and put my college search into perspective. Well written and up to date.



4. My daughter just applied to four colleges last week. This book is a good overview of colleges, with rankings based on student input as well as a variety of other factors, including cost ($$$ are so important right now).
   
   The thing that sets it apart from other college guide books is that this book is actually fun to read. It's not just a collection of facts and figures. There's a lot of student feedback, which is important-- I remember having strong opinions about things at my college when I attended, including the dorms that I thought were the best, etc.
   
   There's also information on alcohol consumption (interesting!) best and worst professors, etc. I think it is a good resource for parents, especially if you are trying to get your son/daughter into the best school you can afford.



5. I ORDERED THIS HEAVY BOOK FROM THE USA and was expecting it in two months but it arrived in perfect shape and packing IN TWO WEEKS. HURRAH.

5 comments about Cracking the SAT, 2010 Edition (College Test Preparation).

1. Usi is exactly right about the Princeton Review for the SAT. It's terrible. The exercises are not carefully developed or vetted, as they are in the College Board's Study Guide. The multiple choice exercises contain many errors and ambiguities and would never qualify for inclusion on the actual SAT. This is a book put out by business entrepreneurs, not by skilled teachers or academics. Anyone with an advanced degree in English will recognize that the Princeton Review is a scandalously poor SAT study guide. I sometimes wonder how Random House would have allowed this to be published.



2. I've been a private tutor preparing students for the SAT since 2003. While the best approach is to use several sources, and take authentic SAT tests that are released by ETS, if you're only going to buy one book this is the one to buy. The strategies in this book are the best I've seen.
   
   If you already have a good test taking strategy and are just looking for something supplement, the College Board website has what you need to know for the math section, and the most painless way to build vocabulary is through SAT vocabulary books or online at the Logophile's Library.



3. My daughter just got her SAT results; she made a 2390 out of 2400, and this was the book she used to prepare. She aced the ACT the same way (34 out of 36) using Princeton's ACT review book. We definitely recommend their test prep products.



4. "Cracking the SAT, 2010 Edition (College Test Preparation)" is a great tutoring tool. As I help students prepare to take the SAT, I find this book has the right contents to provide important instruction and practice for all phases of the latest SAT test. One of the great learning tools is the explanation after each drill question and every practice test question. This material is not adjacent to each question, but it is easy to find. Amazon.com provides excellent service at bargain prices.



5. Almost all the information a student needs to get a much higher SAT score is in this book. The included practice tests are very faithful to the actual SATs and are tremendously helpful. Remember: the actual test is FOUR HOURS LONG. Sitting through at least a couple of practice tests (accurately timed) will prepare you for this mental endurance test.
   
   This book is excellent for an above average to very good student. Lower scoring students may find the book intimidating without an instructor or coach to help them get through it. Many students benefit from repetition, which is a bit lacking, as text has expanded at the expense of practice problems and exercises. There is a lot of material to cover and it's mostly well covered, but the emphasis seems to be a shotgun approach to covering the whole gamut of the test and techniques. Sometimes the details that enable a student to more easily grasp the concepts are glossed over or omitted.
   
   Don't buy this a week before the test. For best results, buy it 8 to 10 weeks (or at least 6 weeks) before the test and spend at least 2 to 4 hours a week studying. Make sure to take at least two of the practice tests (remember to time them or even better, get someone to do it for you) and use the sections in the other test as drills. If you're short on time, the easiest way to get a lot of score improvement is to concentrate on the grammar and vocabulary. Memorizing the dozen grammar rules that are tested most and learning how to recognize them in test problems will maximize your grammar score. Break up the vocabulary into manageable chunks and get familiar with as many of the words as possible; it will help your reading score a lot.
   
   Of the available choices, this remains the best general guide to the SAT. The annual updates keep the material fresh and relevant. The vocabulary section is a great resource, and the techniques presented throughout the book are effective.

5 comments about Fiske Guide to Colleges 2010, 26E.

1. while the book obviously covers all major colleges and universities, do not expect details on lesser known (even when quite large) ones. Separate entry on Eastern Carolina U. for example, even with 10K+ students? sorry, about one sentence on it as if it was exactly the same as NC State.



2. I was enjoying the excerpts until I noted that the guide lists Cooper Union among the most costly colleges. In fact, although the stated annual tuition is $35,000, all 1,100 +/- students get a full scholarship. Of course, the cost of living in NY is not inconsiderable, but it is still quite a deal for a superb education, and the reason it is one of the most selective institutions in the country.



3. Fiske gives an overview of hundreds of colleges using the same format for each school. The scores, quality of life, seriousness of each school ratings are very helpful. The only confusing part is comparing what a particular school's primary majors are with the listing of what schools have great programs in each major--somewhat contradictory.



4. The selection of reviewed colleges is odd - there seems to be no particular logic and colleges I would have expected to find in here were absent. The reviews of the colleges in here are good but I assumed it would have been more comprehensive in its coverage. For example, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Bradley University are not in here.



5. I think the book is easy to read with helpful profiles. Gives you a subset of colleges instead of trying to be all encompassing. Looking in the front, by public or private and strength areas by majors is a good place to start.
   
   One gap is that the cost model is not particularly helpful, especially for folks who live in the Northeast. I would suggest categorizing further by geographic region and also costs for out of state students versus residents.

1 comments about Cracking the AP U.S. Government & Politics Exam, 2010 Edition (College Test Preparation).

1. This AP Government Review book contains excellent suggestions for a program of study and review. The essential informationis highlighted and good practice questions provided. Great buy for the money.

5 comments about Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Verb Tenses.

1. I'm just learning spanish and this is a great workbook to help with the verbs



2. This book has been one of the best ways for me to practise my Spanish verb tenses. If fact this is my second time Ive gone through this workbook. A clear, concise, progressive way to learn Spanish verb tenses.



3. I studied spanish waaaay back in middle & high school but have forgotten practically everything except the basics, i.e. present tense conjugation of a few regular -ar, -er, -ir verbs. These days, so many people approach me speaking Spanish, it's a shame not to be able to reply. This book is a great resource for me. I attend a Spanish conversation club but I have a "terrible" ear. I'm a visual learner - I need to see the word & write it so it "sticks". This workbook provides plenty of simple written exercises. Plus the explanations are clear & straightforward (why aren't school textbooks written this way?). If you are an auditory learner, this workbook might not be enough for you - try something like the more-affordable-than-RosettaStone Berlitz Spanish Premier (Win/Mac) w. interactive video & audio. But if you are 1) an avid notetaker, 2) absorb new information best when it is written & 3) like the structure of a book you can work your way through, I HIGHLY recommend this for you.



4. I DON'T LIKE TO STUDY OR READ, BUT THIS BOOK MAKES LEARNING INTERESTING. BELIEVE ME, YOU WILL LEARN ALOT FOR LESS THAN $10.00.
   
   ABSOLUTELY GREAT PURCHASE!!!



5. Well written...Good for any level...easily explained...Just have to keep at it...I have had other beginner's in Spanish but none were as good as this in verbal comprehension