Barron's PSAT/NMSQT [Paperback]

Sharon Weiner Green M.A. (Author), Ira K. Wolf Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0764138693 | ISBN-13: 978-0764138690 | Edition: 14

This updated manual prepares high school students for the preliminary version of the SAT college entrance exam (PSAT). The test also functions as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT), giving students a chance to qualify for valuable college scholarships. Barron's new edition of this manual presents one diagnostic test plus six full-length model tests, all with answer sheets and explained answers. Students will also profit from subject reviews that cover all test topics and include practice exercises. Topics covered are critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

(back cover)

In-depth preparation for the PSAT and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

One diagnostic test and six full-length model tests, all with answer sheets and explained answers

Subject reviews with practice exercises cover critical reading, math, and writing skills

About the Author

Sharon Weiner Green, M.A., is former Instructor in English, Merritt College, Oakland, California.

Ira K. Wolf, Ph.D. is former Teacher of Mathematics, Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, Bayside, NY>

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; 14 edition (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764138693
• ISBN-13: 978-0764138690
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #598,189 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INDISPENSIBLE!, December 5, 2008

By 

Busy Mom - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barron's PSAT/NMSQT (Paperback)

This is an excellent PSAT workbook, especially if you are taking PSAT for the first time in the sophomore year. It tells you what is and what isn't important with every strand of the Math section, gives succint and helpful tips for tackling the Critical Reading section, and provides 5 superb practice tests for improving in Writing Skill + a very comprehensive gammar practice (consisting of 50 well-written questions) to hone one's grammar skills. For her junior year PSAT in 2008, my daughter practiced relentlessly all summer long, using Barron's PSAT + McGraw Hill PSAT workbooks. Not only is she writing much better in English literature class this year, she did great on the 2008 PSAT, in which she scored in the upper 99 percentile, including a perfect score (80) in the Writing Skill section! For her upcoming SAT I review, my daughter plans to rely on select Barrons products, in addition to College Board and McGraw Hill books.

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Got Me a High Score!, February 20, 2010

By 

Tyler (PARADISE, CALIFORNIA, US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barron's PSAT/NMSQT (Paperback)

I took the PSAT in October, 2009. I used this PSAT guide over the summer, and it gave me pretty good scores. I got a 50 in critical reading (75 percentile), 75 in mathematics (99 percentile), and 70 in writing (99 percentile). My overall percentile was 95. That reading score is obvious low, but that is because I spent the least time in that section. I just did not put in the time to learn all the vocabulary and my vocabulary is already limited so that is why that score is so much smaller. These scores are also pretty indicative of how I do in my school classes. I am great at math problems and writing essays, but suck at reading comprehension. When I got my PSAT answer sheet and booklet back, I realized that the only reason I did not get 2 perfect scores was because of some stupid mistakes. Since I was only a sophomore when I took it, I plan to take it again my junior year in hope that I can qualify for a National Merit Scholarship. If I work on that reading, I am sure that I can get a perfect or near perfect score. I will definitely be reviewing this guide this summer.

As for those of you wondering what is in this guide, it contains: (1) Background information on the test (2) Basic test taking tips (3) A diagnostic test (4) Sentence completion tips that mainly focus on how the parts of a sentence relate to each other (5) Reading comprehension tips for 7 different types of questions (6) A plan for building your vocabulary (7) A list of word roots/stems, suffixes, and prefixes (8) Almost a dictionary of vocabulary words (9) A list of the top 300 used vocabulary words (10) Improving sentences tips (11) Identifying sentence errors tips (12) Improving paragraphs tips (13) 11 common grammar errors made (14) General math tips (15) 5 arithmetic concepts (16) 3 algebra concepts (17) 6 geometry concepts (18) 4 miscellaneous concepts (19) 4 full-length practice tests, and (20) What to do after the test.

At the end of the sentence completion, reading comprehension, writing, and basic PSAT tips sections, there is a summary of tactics that it good to study. In the strategies sections, you will see 8 different symbols with text box notes beside them offering tips on: (1) Time Saver (2) Educated Guess (3) Did You Notice? (4) Look it up; math reference fact (5) Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes (6) Positive or Negative? (7) Helpful Hint, and (8) Caution!

In conclusion, this guide is comprehensive. It worked very well for me, and it can for you too. I will very much consider buying more Barron's study guides when I take AP classes next year, and of course for the SAT or ACT.