Customer Reviews

Kaplan SAT II: Writing 2004-2005

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You don't believe me?

A week before the real test, I took a Princeton Review practice SAT II Writing test and got a FANTASTIC 550. I even cried because I'm an "A" English student. With only 4 days left to fully dedicate myself to studying (I had to study for finals too), I feared my fate was sealed. Personally, I always buy Princeton Review books to study for standardized tests, but this time I chose the Kaplan book. This book is great. If possible, just memorize all of the writing rules and errors that Kaplan goes over, write a coherent essay, and you're looking at a 700 or above. You don't need to study out of this book any more than 2 or 3 weeks. But if you don't have that much time, like me, get this book and take one practice test and have someone grade your essay (an English teacher would be good). Go over the writing mechanics section. Don't spend more than a day on the essay section unless you get a 2,3, or 4 out of 12 on the practice essay. And if you have no idea where to begin, just remember that all you need is four days. With four days, I got a 790!!!

I used only this book to prepare for the last administration of the SAT II writing test. All of the concepts that were on the actual test are covered in this book. The review questions are a good deal trickier than the questions on the actual exam, but they will get you attuned to looking for just what the College Board wants you to see. In fact, the errors on the actual test become ridiculously obvious once you know what to look for. Since the new SAT I writing section is the same as the SAT II writing, consider using this book to review for the SAT I.
I was pleased to receive an 800 on the real exam.

I started off with an unimpressive 580 in Writing. I worked through this book for a little over a week before the exam (about 1.5 hours at a time). I just found out my score shot up to a respectable 690! With minimum study time, this book managed to help me gain 110 points. I highly recommend this book for anyone who doesn't have much time before the test - it is helpful, pithy, and clear! This book is ideal for anyone who has a strong writing base but needs to fine tune particular concepts and techniques. If I had more time to study, my score probably would have improved even more. Nevertheless, I am quite pleased with my 690 and will not be retaking the writing SAT II. Buy this book; your score will go up!

I was never a great writer, and a scoffed at the thought of grammar. When I decided to take the Sat 2 Writing Test I bought this book. I expected the test to be a "piece of cake." Was I wrong. I took the first practice test in this bookand I got a 490. I read the chapters apathetically and then I got my score up to a 550. With a week to go I beared down and really studied this book. In no time I was scoring mid 600s. I just got my scores today and I got a 710, thanks to this book. If you are not taking the Sat 2 writing test I definitely recommend this book for the Writing portion of the New Sat or the PSAT.

I'll be taking the SAT IIs in October and I'm glad I ordered this book now, mostly because it's so huge! But I've looked through it (not thoroughly yet, of course) and it looks very informative. It should be, shouldn't it? Since the people that wrote it also write the test!