Are these prep books good enough? Too many? And how should I start?

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p><a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Dr-John-Chungs-SAT-Math/dp/1481959794/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384996337&sr=8-1&keywords=John+Chung’s+SAT+math+book[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/Dr-John-Chungs-SAT-Math/dp/1481959794/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384996337&sr=8-1&keywords=John+Chung’s+SAT+math+book&lt;/a&gt;
[The</a> Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar: Erica L. Meltzer: 9781463599881: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/The-Ultimate-Guide-SAT-Grammar/dp/1463599889/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384996260&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Ultimate+Guide+to+SAT+Grammar]The”>http://www.amazon.com/The-Ultimate-Guide-SAT-Grammar/dp/1463599889/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384996260&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Ultimate+Guide+to+SAT+Grammar)
[The</a> Insider’s Complete Guide to SAT Vocabulary: The Essential 500 Words: Mr. Larry Krieger: 9780985291211: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/The-Insiders-Complete-Guide-Vocabulary/dp/0985291214/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384996269&sr=8-1&keywords=Larry+Krieger’s+SAT+500+Essential+Words]The”>http://www.amazon.com/The-Insiders-Complete-Guide-Vocabulary/dp/0985291214/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384996269&sr=8-1&keywords=Larry+Krieger’s+SAT+500+Essential+Words)
[Direct</a> Hits Core Vocabulary of the SAT 5th Edition (2013) (Volume 1): Direct Hits, Ted Griffith: 9781936551132: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Direct-Hits-Vocabulary-Edition-Volume/dp/1936551136/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top]Direct”>http://www.amazon.com/Direct-Hits-Vocabulary-Edition-Volume/dp/1936551136/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top)
[Direct</a> Hits Toughest Vocabulary of the SAT 5th Edition (Volume 2): Direct Hits, Ted Griffith: 9781936551149: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Direct-Toughest-Vocabulary-Edition-Volume/dp/1936551144/ref=pd_sim_b_1]Direct”>http://www.amazon.com/Direct-Toughest-Vocabulary-Edition-Volume/dp/1936551144/ref=pd_sim_b_1)
[PWN</a> the SAT: Math Guide: Mike McClenathan: 9781481883344: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/PWN-SAT-Guide-Mike-McClenathan/dp/1481883348/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385158196&sr=8-1&keywords=PWN+the+sat]PWN”>http://www.amazon.com/PWN-SAT-Guide-Mike-McClenathan/dp/1481883348/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385158196&sr=8-1&keywords=PWN+the+sat)
[PWN</a> the SAT: Essay Guide: Mike McClenathan: 9781491007648: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/PWN-SAT-Essay-Mike-McClenathan/dp/1491007648/ref=pd_sim_b_1]PWN”>http://www.amazon.com/PWN-SAT-Essay-Mike-McClenathan/dp/1491007648/ref=pd_sim_b_1)</p>

<p>Too many books? Is this all I need?
I already have the blue book. I’m going to skip the chapters and just do the first practice test before I study to see where I am…But do I take all 3 sections or just 1 section? I’m weakest at CR and W so I’m going to start with CR first, but I don’t know in what pace I should take the practice tests. And I think I might need more official tests than that, so maybe the collegeboard online course? So after taking the 1st practice test, I’m going to start with the 500 essential words book and take notes on things, and I’ll do that with all the books and periodically take practice tests, but one a particular section or all of it?? I’m taking SATs first time on Jan 25, haven’t started studying yet…and 2nd time in March.</p>

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<p>plus this
[Eight</a> Multiple Choice SAT Writing Tests: The Companion Workbook to The Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar: Erica L. Meltzer: 9781478140368: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1478140364/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER]Eight”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1478140364/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)</p>

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<p>AND minus the direct hits book, I’m just getting Essential 500, and minus PWN the SAT Math Guide. I don’t have a lot of money…
That math guide seems to be for anyone under 650. I got a 67 on my PSAT in 10th grade, probably got higher in 11th grade PSATs, so I’m getting Chungs.
So I have about less than 2 months, are these books too much? I’m still taking it again in March.</p>

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<p>Nevermind. So I bought these 5, and I plan on starting going through Essential 500 after I take a practice test. Then work on the grammar and essay, and math last. But do I take a practices test all at once or section by section? I’m still confused…
<a href=“http://oi41.■■■■■■■.com/212admr.jpg[/url]”>http://oi41.■■■■■■■.com/212admr.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>If u want value for money u could get [The</a> Insider’s Essential Guide to SAT Critical Reading and Vocabulary: Larry Krieger: 9780985291228: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Insiders-Essential-Critical-Reading-Vocabulary/dp/0985291222]The”>http://www.amazon.com/Insiders-Essential-Critical-Reading-Vocabulary/dp/0985291222) instead of the essential 500 vocab book. It contains 600 super-hit hitting vocab words (though the amount of detail and guidance for each word is much less) and also contains great critical reading tips. The essential 500 vocab book is good enough nonetheless though</p>

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<p>Well isn’t essential 500 better? And can you answer my question about how to take practice tests?</p>

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<p>Ermm it depends on your definition of ‘better’. Essential 500 is better in that it gives you more examples and practices specific to vocab but the other book is better at giving critical reading advice/strategies, a few more words and practices specific to critical reading. </p>

<p>If you are only struggling with vocab for critical reading, Essential 500 would be better for you but if you are struggling with both vocab and passage reading then I would say the critical reading book is better. </p>

<p>For the practice tests I suggest you try sitting a full test under test taking conditions to learn how much stamina you have to build up. After that try doing sections that you are weak on and then after a few of those, go back to full practice tests. I suggest practice test 1 of the BB be used as a diag then use practice 4-10 for single sections and then go back to practice test 2 and 3 for full revision. Also, even when doing individual sections it is good to time yourself. However, do note that at first you probably would not finish on time and so I recommend that when doing single sections you start by giving yourself 10% more time for the first time then cut down to normal time the next time then pressure yourself at 90% then 80% then 75%. Also, if you fail to finish the questions in time, mark the point you reached and then try the answers after that point still before checking the answers. Also, if you are like me and rage when you see a trend of crosses, don’t mark your paper by hand but key in the answers online into the book owner’s section so that they will automatically calculate your scores for you at one go. Doing so will also allow you to see the explanations to the answers and allow you to learn from your mistakes.</p>

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<p>THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Yeah I’m struggling in reading passages as well.
So is my book list good now? I’m taking Jan 25, March 8 and October but that’s optional to me.
So, should I work on 2 books at one time? Let’s say the CR book and the Grammar book or focus on one? I need to study all 3 subjects before Jan 25 and I can’t study every day even though I will try to…</p>

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<p>Hellooooo?</p>

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<p>I think I’m going to work on PWN The SAT Math Guide + the Insider’s Essentials Guide together after taking a whole bb practice (diagnostics) test. Take math and CR parts of practice test 4 and so on.
Once I see improment on CR and W, I will start with the Ultimate Grammar Guide. I will only use the 8 writing tests it comes with when I need it. I will get to PWN the SAT Essay Guide last and I might not get to John Chung’s, but I bought it anyway.</p>

<p>Is this good enough until Jan 25? I’ll start in the beginning of December when the books arrive, but I’ll do a diag test during Thanksgiving. Then I’ll keep studying until March for my 2nd time. Then focus on my other tests after March and then study for SAT 3rd time in the summer if I need.</p>

<p>And I’ll follow Silverturtle and Xiggi’s guide somewhat too. </p>

<p>How’s this?
Also for BB tests and any other practice tests, do I write in the book or in a notebook? And do I do a practice test just once or multiple times too?
And at what pace should I do the blue book tests? Do I finish all 10 tests before the Jan 10 date? or March 8? I’m going to buy the online course but not yet.</p>

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<p>Seriously </p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1517736-sat-books-do-not-start-new-threads-post-here.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1517736-sat-books-do-not-start-new-threads-post-here.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Oh alright :slight_smile: Sorry I need to get started lol.</p>

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<p>Sad enough no one will ever answer me there.</p>

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<p>“Sad enough no one will ever answer me there.”</p>

<p>Please don’t discourage posters from going to the proper threads. Posts there will typically get responses. You however do not appear to have posted there in the last 2 months (at least until last night).</p>

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<p>Yea well I’m waiting for a response ;D</p>