Each year test-prep companies produce hundreds of books and study guides for the SAT. But how do you know which ones are the best? How do you wade through the hundreds of options?
The answer is you don’t have to–we’ve done the work for you.
Here are some of the best study guides for the SAT (according to us).
The Critical Reader
The Complete Guide to SAT Reading and The Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar by Erica Meltzer include methods and tips on how to improve your grammar and provide strategic approaches to the reading section. Meltzer does an excellent job including a variety of strategies and practice questions to test progress and understanding, which should gradually improve your abilities overtime. Simple, fun, and easy to follow, her book is not only engaging but also useful in mastering common question types that many struggle with. Her approach and strategies personally helped me gain an edge on the verbal sections.
Kaplan Study Guides for SAT
Kaplan’s SAT books include full-length practice tests along with advice and strategies sprinkled throughout to provide clarification. Kaplan’s tests are also a great way to time yourself for each section. Much like Khan Academy, Kaplan also offers downloadable content along with online tutors, classes, and consultations if needed.
Princeton Review SAT Prep
The style and pace of Princeton Review’s books and practice tests are very similar to Kaplan’s, although many students would describe the Princeton Review’s practice tests as being more difficult. Princeton Review also offers online courses with videos and speed drills.
The Official SAT Study Guide
Similar to the actual SAT, this study guide from the CollegeBoard gives various full length practice tests and provides thorough explanations for the multiple choice sections. Much like the official SAT, it’s broken up into English and math sample sections along with a practice essay at the end.
The Ultimate Guide to the SAT Math
This study guide, written by test-prep expert Richard Corn, consists of in-depth explanations for all of the specific question types for the SAT math section. It covers basic algebra, statistics, geometry and trigonometry, as well as strategies for specific problem types.