Barron's SAT 2400: Aiming for the Perfect Score (Barron's: The Leader in Test Preparation) 3rd Edition

When I bought this book, I expected it to be better than the Official SAT Guide at preparing me to get a 2400. However, after going through the first few chapters, I realized the questions are HORRIBLE.I've gotten an 800 in both Critical Reading and Writing sections on the SAT both times I've taken it, and really just wanted this book to help with math. But, since I bought it, I figured I should look at the Critical Reading and Writing sections anyway. I was surprised to find how different the practice questions are from the actual SAT-Barron shouldn't be able to say the questions are based on "real SAT" questions, because they are obviously not.The questions seem very basic, like the authors didn't want to spend much time at all making them. They throw in a lot of (the same) "difficult vocabulary words" into the questions, but these really can't hide the fact that the questions themselves are extremely lower-level. And once you've done a chapter or 2, you know ALL the vocab words Barron uses-for instance, the word "myriad" was used in three separate questions in the same section---definitely NOT what happens on the actual SAT.The answers for the questions are even worse. No answer seems to be the "best", they all seem to be equally correct or incorrect. The explanations for the answers are weak, with some of the "correct" answers so obviously wrong that I couldn't believe they even attempted to explain why they were right. The answers would NOT be correct on the SAT, so by learning what Barron deems "correct", I'm sure a lot of people would do worse on the SAT than they should.On the otherhand, the strategies are refreshing and a lot different than the typical strategies given by other guides. They are concise, and only about 2 pages per section-they are much easier to read through than the Official Guide to the SAT, which is extremely long.But that being said, the horrible questions (and even worse answers) ruin this book.On the positive side, there's a helpful vocab list in the back (although it's pretty short, and quite basic) and the strategies are new and interesting, even if you don't decide to use them.However, DO NOT buy this book if you are looking for helpful practice questions that will improve your SAT score. I'd recommend using the Official Guide---actual SAT questions from the maker---if you need them. Barron's SAT 2400 is good for brief strategies, but if you want to actually increase your score through practice, DO NOT buy this book.

Excellent book to get the extra points for the exam. It explains concepts in a concise and practical manner. The author makes the assumption that you have the basic knowledge about the subjects covered in the exam and focuses more on "shortcuts" for more advanced stuff. Various people have various ways of learning so it might not be a good fit for everyone, but it sure worked for me.

So, after scoring a 2040 on the SAT as a sophomore, I was looking for ways to ante up my skills. Barron's 2400 had what someone like me, who knows how to take standardized tests, needs -- practice with the hardest level of questions. This book is useful, but you need to couple it with a bunch of practice tests to test out your newfound skills and strategies (I recommend the official SAT book) in order to maximize your score.So if you read all the strategies in the book, take lots of practice exams while applying the techniques you've learned, you'll probably raise your score significantly. This strategy worked for me, and it can probably work for you, too!I got a 2340 on my second try : )

The first time I took the SAT, I didn't really study that much - I just took two practice tests the week before. I got a 2120, which is an okay score, but not what I was hoping for. After studying from this book for approx. 2-3 weeks, I got a 2330 on my second try. Although it's not perfect, I'm really happy with this score. 1st try: 720 cr, 680 math, 720 writing --> 2nd try: 740 cr, 800 math, 790 writing. So it really helps! Good luck :)

I didn't like the pre-2008 edition of this book for many reasons. First, it was replete with with "pep talk," which was time-consuming to read and irrelevant to the goal of mastering crucial SAT test-taking skills. Second, it was thin on substance, which may be why the author had to use extra-large fonts to fill up the pages. The few SAT test taking strategies, designed for the so-called "2400 Club" members, were nothing you cannot find in most quality SAT prep books. Also, with the pre-2008 edition, the lay-out was so messy that it was actually hard to follow. Finally, having just coached my daughter for the January SAT (in which she scored perfect SAT scores), I think it's misleading to insinuate that one could earn perfect scores on the SAT simply by using this one workbook. From my perspective, nothing short of disciplined work, relentless practice, and a positive mind-set would achieve that. Which is why I have sold this book and, thanks to the hype, at a good price!

As an SAT prep tutor, I needed a supplementary textbook for my high-flying top scorers, something to challenge them, hold their interest, a collection of questions that would actually be hard for them. This book was not the answer. The questions do not, as a rule, appear any harder than in any of the general SAT prep books for the average student. The techniques and strategies presented are, frankly, lame. Silly mnemonics and corny advice do not engage the smartest kids, or me, or anyone else, probably. I returned the book.

Another successful product ordered

Although I didn't get 2400, this book raised my score from 1950-1990 to 2050-2100.The book has great tips for the CR part and for the writing part (I found the Math similar to the regular Barron's book)It raised my CR score by 60 points and improved my essay score to a solid 10.You can't use this book solely and you will need at least one of the SAT "normal level guides" for several reasons, for example this book has a poor vocabulary list and no practice tests.

Utilissimo volume corredato di un altrettanto utile cd rom per cpire come funzionano i test di fine corso nei licei americani e per chiunque voglia rispolverare vecchie nozioni o esercitarsi nell'analisi di testi letterari . Davvero ben fatto !