Top 3 SAT Prep Guides - The Best SAT Prep Guides

For most students, the best way to prepare for the SAT is to take a prep class or hire a private tutor. For many, though, these options are too expensive or don't fit into their busy schedules.

The following are excellent SAT prep guides that can help you get ready for the SAT. These SAT prep guides will work well for most test-takers, but those who expect to score very high or very low on the SAT should probably look to other, more targeted resources.

1.   The Princeton Review - Cracking The New SAT - 2006 Edition
Princeton Review is one of the nation's most well-known test prep firms. While this SAT prep guide has its minor flaws--some practice questions could be better explained and the smarmy Princeton Review tone is sometimes annoying--this is definitely on of the best and most comprehensive resources available.

This book includes three practice exams and access to personalized score reports online. As with all SAT prep guides, I recommend buying this book without the optional CD-ROM.

2.   Kaplan - SAT 2006 - Comprehensive Program
This is an excellent SAT prep guide. As the nation's biggest SAT prep firm Kaplan is able to produce hundreds of representative test questions that closely mirror those on the actual SAT. As with Kaplan classes, most will find Kaplan's strategies helpful, but high scorers will probably not benefit much. In addition to a diagnostic exam, explanations, practice questions, and strategies, this guide contains four full-length practice exams.

3.   The Official SAT Study Guide
The College Board has compiled a book of eight practice tests that contain mostly questions from old SATs and old SAT II Writing sections (SAT II Writing was the precursor to the current SAT Writing section).

I wouldn't waste time on the College Board's recommended strategies--these are the same folks, after all, who once claimed that it wasn't worth studying for SAT. But the inclusion of accurate practice questions makes this a Must Buy.