The Official SAT Study Guide: For the New SAT

by The College Board

The Official SAT Study Guide is the only book that features official SAT practice tests created by the test maker. It's packed with the information students need to get ready for the exam. They'll gain valuable experience by taking eight practice tests and receiving estimated scores. With 900 pages and 21 chapters, the book helps students raise their confidence by reviewing concepts, test-taking approaches, and focused sets of practice questions.

Genres: School, Textbooks, Nonfiction, Education, Reference, Academics, Childrens

889 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

The College Board, also known as The College Entrance Examination Board, is a not-for-profit membership organization "committed to excellence and equity in education" whose mission is "to connect students to college success and opportunity".

Reviews

[Parmida R. A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I studied for SAT for only a month and had no tutor or help except this book. I got 1410, and I'm a bit disappointed because I expected better score.

This book was my only source for SAT exam, but I found it only helpful for providing paper Practice Tests.

So, if you, like me, are not native in English and have no one to help you, I believe this book wouldn't ve enough for your goal. I recommend this book but only as practice source not as a guide or strategic book.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just took the SAT this morning... and oh, do I appreicate having this book as a study guide before the test!! Taking the practice tests included in the back made the real thing way easier. Highly, highly, highly recommnded for any SAT-takers!!

[yasmine skalli · Rating 1 out of 5]

FUCK YOU SAT. this book counts as a 2019 goodreads read idc

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I HATE math

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

AH YES! MY FAVORITE FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT! THIS BOOK PAIRED PERFECTLY WITH ,Y AFTERNOON TEA. IT ALLEVIATED ALL OF MY STRESSES AND MADE ME HAPPY AGAIN! Ah... I can finally breathe again (thanks to this book of course)!

[Siobhain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time to work through the SAT tests since the most recent update to the test. This is not a book to rave about, but you cannot beat practicing with tests published by the developer of the official test. I practice the tests with my kids, and find that both they and I improve with each section we practice. In addition to the practice tests, there is introductory material for each section of the test and full explanations for all of the answers. I highly recommend this for anyone preparing for the SAT. Note that all of the tests in the book are available online as well as the answer keys and additional materials. However, as taking the SAT test is still a pencil and paper endeavor, I recommend buying this book for practice that matches the testing situation.

Additional Note: The book includes 8 full tests. When we study, we just do one or two test sections at a time, correcting and discussing subject matter and strategies for each section. This has always been adequate preparation for my students. We do not take a full practice test in one sitting though that can be done.

[Briana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes. Call me lame. I don't care. In fact, I agree wholeheartedly.

THE SAT IS OVER!!!!

Just had to celebrate by adding this.

As far as this book goes, I guess it was helpful...like a neon blue rain cloud that hung over my head...honestly, the thing's like a puzzle book on steroids...

I went completely liberal for my timed essay. Don't know whether I should be proud or ashamed of myself...

[Marihan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why does this have anything less than a full 5 stars though?! An absolutely perfect guide by The College Board Committee that really prepares students for anything and everything. It is also very easy and enjoyable to read. but it can get toooo longggg (but it fails to help at all when it comes to the essay)

[m · Rating 1 out of 5]

i have a headache

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains some common sense advice about how to prepare for this test that I would recommend to all who are planning to take the test soon. The book also presents strategies to use when taking the test and breaks down the type of questions on the test. The book provides examples of the types of math questions found on the test--you should be given the tools to solve these types of questions in Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. The book includes 10 practice SAT tests with the answers. I can't imagine anyone taking all 10 practice tests!

I checked this book out for my son who is taking the SAT in March--he has shown no interest in this book. At least he did take an interest in his scored PSAT test and why he missed the ones he did.

I would recommend this book for high school English teachers in the hopes they would teach the skills that would help college bound students understand the Verbal portion--definitely the hardest part of the test! The skills of comparing a 3 paragraph selection to another 3 paragraph selection is something that will help them in college and in life!

[Sal Vulcano · Rating 1 out of 5]

The college board is a scam. They force you to take a standardized test in order for you to get into college. These snakes are terrible people. Not only do you need to spend money to take a test, you have to pay for study guides and other resources just to do well on a pointless test. The people who create study guides are just corporate suck ups. The corporate suck ups are part of the problem. If we all refuse to take these tests then the colleges cannot stop us. I didn't read this book, I won't read this book. I hope everyone on this website (https://about.collegeboard.org/leader...) gets an insane amount of painful kidney stones. It is incorrect to have the mind set of "this sucks but we have to do it". It should be "Let's destroy these scammers".

[Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This helped me a great deal not only on my SATs but also on other standardized tests. Unfortunatetly, I was only able to do a few tests. I'm sure that if I did more, my scores would be even better than they are now. This is essential for all SAT test takers.

[mtnmilk · Rating 1 out of 5]

makes me mald

[Medina Babayeva · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the so called "basis" of the SAT. I read it when I already knew a lot about the SATs, that's why it wasn't so "groundbreaking" for me. I would recommend it to those, who know nothing about the exam and want to understand its fundamentals.
Practicing via the tests that are available in this book wouldn't do you any harm.
Reading and writing sections are explained here in a common way. Moreover, I wouldn't call these sections' strategies that the book suggests very useful.
Nevertheless, I found the math section of the book much more helpful. I'd recommend everyone to go through every maths exercise explained there.

[ananyaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The practice tests are truly accurate in representing what's on the test! The tips are great too and the Scan and Score option using the app is helpful as it makes it easier to simulate a real testing experience on paper. Also very compatible with the practice offered on Khan Academy, which is wonderful! Love it!

[Jack Vu]

I'm here

[Michelle Rotteau · Rating 3 out of 5]

To buy or not to buy. That is the question. If you are here, you must be aware that the SAT changed radically on March of 2016 and along with those changes came a slew of New SAT prep books. Did you go to a bookstore and stare blankly at the shelf jammed with thick tomes? Or did you just grab the blue one because you used its materials for the AP U.S. History exam? Or did you flip randomly through a bunch looking for something, anything to catch your eye and help you decide? I don’t blame you one bit.

A little over 300 of the pages are the study guide and the remaining 400ish are 4 complete practice tests. The study guide is just an overview of the test, there are some practice questions, but unless you are already able to score in the 700/800 range, these won’t be enough to really prepare you for the test. So here’s the rub. The previous SAT had about a dozen practice tests available to students between the old blue book and released tests on its website. But now, now we have 4 in the book and 2 more online that were released at the end of August 2016. A common mistake I see is students come to me and they ripped through those 6 tests in one month and now they don’t know what to do because their score isn’t where they want it to be, and they plan to prep for another 6 months, but they don’t know what to do next because many people on the internet say to only use “official” materials. Yes, in an ideal world we all would only use SAT materials produced by the College Board, but honestly there just isn’t enough for the type of preparation that most students do today.

The 4 Tests in this book (and the other 2) are available on the College board’s website free to download and prints and you can take the tests at Khan Academy. These are great options if you want to save a bit of money on test prep books.

Whether the rest of the book is worth the cost depends on you. Are you someone who loves to analyze the details? Then you might enjoy dissecting the explanations of the types of questions. However, if you look at pages of text and just zone out, then you are not likely to get much out of the book.

I’m a reading/writing teacher who only really does the math when I have to explain to a student (and occasionally a math teacher) what the phrasing the question means. So, I am always critical about how little guidance study books provide related to doing the reading section. Frequently it is merely a breakdown of the passages and question types, a list of vocabulary words and a few lackluster practice questions. Otherwise you are on your own, and weak readers are really not going to become better readers by doing a few questions. The College Board’s book is a little more balanced with almost equal attention to the Reading/Writing sections as the Math ones. However, there is no real guidance about approaching the questions or how to be an effective reader.

Bottom Line

The College Board’s SAT Study Guide is valuable mostly for the tests, but these tests are available elsewhere (including the College Board’s website) for free. Those same tests can be taken online at Khan Academy as well for free.

Suggestion-Don’t Buy

https://internationaltester.com/2016/...

[Mariarosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally worth the money. I'm homeschooled and had never experienced a test like the SAT before so I was extremely nervous. My mom bought this for me and it explains all of the rules of the test along with how it is scored, what the questions are asking, how much time you have for each section and so much more. The questions in the 4 practice SAT tests the book has are great practice for the real SAT, and they are given in the same form which is great preparation. With the practice SAT tests (I took two before I went in for the real thing) I scored about a 1300 out of the 1600 and on my real SAT I scored a 1330, so I kind of had an idea of what my score would be before I received it a month later and wasn't as nervous and anxious to see it. Anyway, totally get the book, it's awesome! :) Also, if you're looking for help on the SAT, you should get the free Prep4SAT app on iPhone. It also has questions that are in the same format as the real SAT, and it really helped me too.

[Shaheer Hasnain · Rating 1 out of 5]

i hate. got a 1350 on my practice tho. i am so bad at math./

[Keyi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The official guide portion of the book is minimally helpful; it'd be a better bet to get a few books that cover each specific section in depth (as opposed to how this book introduces each section and gives only a few pointers to keep in mind). The practice tests are the most useful part of the book and I've been going through them methodically.

Highly organized guide, though, and useful to keep as a canonical supplement to your studies! "Canonical" is a word I learned while studying for the SATs, hooray.

Update after taking the SAT;

The practice tests really are helpful.

[Berke Sahbazoglu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must book for the sat reasoning tests. Has ten practice tests which will take quite a while to finish. Book offers some tactics and approaches to the test but this is really a book for applying your sat strategy in real-time. Helped me improve my score but finishing it requires a lot of forbearance.

Use it along with princeton review sat. Also get supplementary flashcards from barrons and words from PR hit parade list.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my children received this as a reward from the school and it does contain useful information. However, they consensus of both of my children is that taking the test multiple times is far better than trying to pull the information needed from a book and then apply it to a test that is different each time that you take it.

[Ly Casnocha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this long time ago and it was typically helpful and informative for anyone studying for this exam. It was indeed an essential guide, with fundamental information and tips related to this exam. It came with examples as well, and they seemed quite specific. I found this publication quite usable, and I appreciated its content and approach. It is a worthwhile publication from my experience.

[Mary Emily O'Hara]

Yes, the SAT's. How bizarre to be studying for them while simultaneously publishing articles in the local newspaper. But you can't stay at community college forever, and most of the programs I want to transfer into require the scores. Wish the "House Bunny" was around to be my study partner.

[Cris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Good reviewer, but Princeton Review is better. I'm surprised College Board didn't do a better job, but the practice tests are great practice. It does have more of them as opposed to Princeton (which only has four I think).

[Lala Land · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my best friend for the past few months and got me deeply prepared for the SAT I know that dozens of other people will recommend other books but there's no other teacher that's better than the actual creator of the test!

[Amirhossein Pourakbar · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first book that i could study for making my English skill better but it doesnt work for taking College board exams due to the date of writing this book that is so old !
So i prefered to study another book which was so easier to learn the college board subjects.

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books HUGE too!!!

[Gehad Hasanin]

Exactly what a lost sophomore needs. Answers questions, provides practice, tells you what to do..

Great guide!!

[Rushan]

sdasdas