How to Prepare for the SAT II French: with Audio Compact Discs (Barron's SAT French (W/CD)) [Paperback]

Renee White (Author)

Book Description

Series: Barron's SAT French (W/CD) | Publication Date: April 2003

This totally new test preparation manual with compact discs reflects the most recent tests and test format. The manual presents eight practice tests with answers, four French tests and four others with listening comprehension sections, which are on the compact discs. The tests are similar in structure and degree of difficulty to actual SAT II exams in French. The manual also features a general review of French grammar and vocabulary, additional practice-and-review quizzes with answers, and reading comprehension exercises.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

In-Depth Preparation Includes:
Ten full-length practice tests
All test questions answered and explained
Review sections cover French grammar and vocabulary
Additional questions and answers for practice and review
An audio compact disc presenting listening comprehension sections of practice tests

Plus an Overview of the Test
With helpful test-taking tips

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764176218
• ISBN-13: 978-0764176210
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,022,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A waste of time and money., May 3, 2003

By 

Heather Howard (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Prepare for the SAT II French: with Audio Compact Discs (Barron's SAT French (W/CD)) (Paperback)

I wanted to prepare for the French SAT II subject test, and I purchased this book because most of Barron's test prep books are excellent. But I had several problems with this book. First, there is no scaled score conversion table in the book. Also, the practice tests were not at all like the actual SATII in length or difficulty. The real SATII I took was much more difficult, and although it too had 85 questions, the test took me almost twice as long to complete.
A good alternative to this book is the one put out by the College Board, which includes real, recently administered, SAT II tests. The practice test provided is much more indicative of the actual length and difficulty of the test, and it comes with a scale score conversion chart so you can see how well you would do in comparison to other high school students.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Prospective buyers beware!, January 19, 2006

By 

Sarah - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Prepare for the SAT II French: with Audio Compact Discs (Barron's SAT French (W/CD)) (Paperback)

I bought this book bearing in mind Barron's reputation for publishing overly difficult test prep material. This book, however, is an exception. The grammer review is not terribly informative and, as another reviewer has mentioned, there are no excercises after the chapters to give practice using the concepts learned.

The practice tests are much easier then the actual test. The listening section and reading passages in particular bear very little resemblance to the actual test. I scored much higher on all of the tests in this book then I did on the actual test.

Do NOT buy this book, it's a waste of money.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Quel malheur!, November 5, 2005

By 

Sara - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Prepare for the SAT II French: with Audio Compact Discs (Barron's SAT French (W/CD)) (Paperback)

I agree with the previous two reviewers. This book was a disappointment. I took the French SAT II with Listening, and I was not prepared. The blame cannot be placed entirely on the prep book, true, but this book has numerous flaws.

The sample listening exercises lure the reader into a false sense of security. There are very few speakers used, and, after a while, you become accustomed to their accents/voices. On the real test, I was caught off guard and found that I had to listen a lot harder.

The grammar reviews, too, are weak. Some very important and useful concepts are covered, yes, but a lot more could have been done. Additional grammar problems with immediate explanation to cement concepts would have been helpful. There are several spelling errors in the book; some are hard to catch, so beware.

Last, but certainly not least, I shall reiterate: the practice tests are much easier than the real thing. I wish I had practiced with something else instead of becoming confident in my ability to score well. (By the way, in this book there is a mistake in the instructions for calculating the score range: one bit says to multiply rather than to divide a number.) I'd suggest taking the practice tests in the book under very test-like conditions: low on sleep (you know it!), uncomfortable chair, no rewinding/stopping of CD.

I've heard that normally Barron's review books are pretty good, but I'm not so sure I'd put my trust into one after this experience. All complaints aside, this is the only SAT II French with Listening review book I could find, and it's better than nothing. Just don't trust it too much, and be sure to do plenty of outside preparation.