McGraw-Hill Education SAT 2019

As a math tutor, I need a study guide to recommend to the students I work with. This SAT prep book explains the lessons thoroughly and offers practice problems for the calculator and non-calculator sections. The answers are complete and understandable. Scores have increased for all students who put in the work.

I really like the organization of this book. I used it for tutoring a high school student. It has great, short, focused lessons followed by a couple of pages of exercises. And, of course, it has 5 full-length practice tests. It also has diagnostic tests. I'm a math guy, so I actually learned stuff going through the English portions. (Presumably, I knew it once upon a time.)

Studying

Excellent for the purpose of use

Highly recommended!Very good

McGraw Hill has been doing excellent SAT prep books for years and this one -- over 750 pages -- is very thorough, reflecting the difficulty and variety of SAT testing. It is hard to imagine anyone going through it and not being able to improve his/her scores -- and also to feel more confident because of the preparation--which can be a big part of scoring well. Maybe an expensive test prep in person course delivers well, but few people will be able to take that option. This is an incredible value for those who can work through it on their own or with a friend. It includes 5 full-length practice tests (including essay) and the answers are very helpful for every section.Some students may even want to get both the digital and paper versions, but if you only get one, I would choose paper. It is important to have a complete overview of the whole and the parts and a book makes it much easier to skim and review things that you have missed, seeing patterns of mistakes as well as strengths.The layout of the book shows thoroughness and intelligent test prep design from the very beginning.Don't overlook the first few (slick) pages. They're important: "How to Use This Book", "SAT Action Plan" (including how to set up a study schedule), "40 Top Strategies for Test Day", "5 Top SAT Calculator Tips". They are easy to overlook, but have some very useful ideas.Ch 1 - What SAT tests and how? How to prepare. How colleges use the scoring information.Ch 2 - Your Diagnostic Test: (1) Reading; (2) Writing and Language; (3) Math without calculator; (4) Math with calculator; (5) Essay. The answer key that follows is outstanding, helping you understand your mistakes.Ch 3 - SAT Vocabulary: Language of Ideas. I really enjoyed this section as a review of important words and concepts to know at the ready. Great breakdown of vocabulary into categories e.g. "Language of Reasoning" to "Language of Passion".Ch 4 - Reading Test practiceCh 5 - Writing and Language Test practiceCh 6 - Essay practiceCh 7 - Math Test : AlgebraCh 8 - Math Test: Problem Solving and Data AnalysisCh 9 - Math Test: Advanced MathCh 10 - Math Test: Other topicsCh 11 - 4 Practice SAT Tests - again, with detailed answer keysThis is an excellent book for SAT practice. (And parents may get a lot out of it, too, as a refresher of skills and knowledge they may have forgotten).

My son has been using the Kaplan practice guides for AP, PSAT and SAT prep so I was curious to see how useful a test prep book from a different publisher would be.The layout and formatting of the guide book is definitely a bit different from the Kaplan series but not so different as to make it difficult to switch between series.The guide begins with an explanation of the SAT and a diagnostic test so that you can figure out where you need to focus your efforts to improve your score. There is a very large section devoted to vocabulary which is then followed by sections devoted to each portion of the test - Reading, writing, and Math (calculator and non calculator). There are four practice tests included at the end of the book with full explanations.Another perk is the app from the publisher that allows you to set up a study schedule with daily reminders and assignments to ensure that you are ready for the day of the test. For students who struggle with organizational skills and executive function, this can be a really life saver.

Like many other McGraw-Hill test study guides, this one has become the defacto standard when it comes to studying for the SAT. Besides the quite thorough overview it gives to all subjects you are likely to encounter on the exam, this book also happens to be an excellent value for students. At $15 for a 768 page study guide, it's hard to go wrong. While I've found that many other study guides have stooped to padding their books with almost completely irrelevant examples and jumbo sized graphics this one seems pretty well focused and practical when it comes to actually studying for the exam.While I have not seen the digital edition of this book, I can't imagine that it would be nearly as convenient and as practical as having the actual "dead tree edition" at your fingertips. I usually end up with tons of scribbled notes in the margins with these books, which is impossible to do with a Kindle or other digital reader. This book leaves an ample amount of room for scribbling in notes, calculations and bookmarks that you otherwise would have no room or capability to use in other formats. Yes, it does lead to a lot of "wasted space" within the book, but for $15 you can afford to just throw this thing away once you have passed the test. Of course I mean recycle, not throw away, literally. You get the point though.

Amazing preparation guide, especially for price - would recommend