PWN the SAT: Math Guide [Paperback]

Mike McClenathan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 27, 2011

NOTE: This is not the current version of the Math Guide. The updated second edition is available on Amazon--it's linked above in the "Formats" box. You can also find it by searching for its ISBN: 1481883348.

PWN the SAT: Math Guide is designed to help strong math students reach their full SAT potential by quickly isolating weaknesses, and turning them into strengths. 

In addition to chapters explaining test-taking strategies and concepts, this book contains about 230 practice questions with hand written solutions, and a "Blue Book Breakdown" in which every math question in the 10 practice tests in the College Board's Official SAT Study Guide is categorized, so students can continue to track their strengths and weaknesses as they work through official practice tests.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I went through a crapload of resources while studying for the SAT. If you want one that results in EFFICIENT studying, PWN the SAT's book is, without doubt, the best. His problems are also hilarious--you might even enjoy studying for the SAT. :) 
Jeff L., Seattle, WA

You raised me up from a child to a grown man. I can now say I pwn'd the SAT!!!
Sulman K., Brooklyn, NY

From the Author

This seems like a good place to answer a few Frequently Asked Questions:

What does "PWN" mean?

Basically, it means "to completely dominate." It comes from old school videogaming, when trash talk had to be typed, not shrieked into a headset. Because time spent typing was time spent as a sitting duck, nobody ever fixed typos in those days. So "pwn" was a frequent typo of "own" that got legs and is now used in gamer circles on purpose. It's pronounced "pone," not "pawn."

Why on earth would you call your book that?

My girlfriend and mom are the most frequent askers of this question. They're convinced that if I changed the name, I'd suddenly sell a million books! But I had a very specific student in mind as I wrote this book: my 15-year old self. I was my school's top math student, but I was dogmatic in my belief that problems could only be solved "the math way." That served me well in every arena except for the SAT, where my insistence on brute-force math, rather than nimble problem solving, cost me a perfect 800.

How do I know it cost me a perfect 800? Because now, years removed from that experience, I get perfect 800s doing the test the way I describe in this book--and I have fun doing it. I wrote this book to try to help kids like the Old Me (strong math students who aren't happy with their SAT scores) learn to approach the test like the New Me. I love math, and there's plenty of it in the book, but there's also a plethora of alternative solutions. 

Will I like this book if I didn't know what "pwn" meant until just now?

If you're a strong math student who's looking to improve your SAT score, then I think so. The book isn't full of words like "pwn"--just the title. 

What makes this book better than all the others available?

"Better" is in the eye of the beholder, but here are a few things that make my book unique:

• Each chapter is followed by a listing of all the questions in the College Board's own Official SAT Study Guide (AKA "Blue Book") that are susceptible to the techniques I've just described. This is not the kitchen-sink approach to test prep--the techniques I advocate will apply on the real test.
• The back of the book contains another breakdown of each test in the Blue Book. This one helps students keep track of their mistakes and identify topics they need to work on.
• Each of the drills in my book has hand-written solutions. I think it's helpful to see math worked out the same way a student will have to do it on test day.
• I don't spend too much time on the basics kids already know; I get right into the stuff I always see kids struggle with.

Note: typos that appeared on pages 100 and 164 in early printings have been fixed. If you purchase a new copy today, you need not take any action. If you purchase a used copy, please visit mathguide.pwnthesat.com to download replacement pages.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1st edition (December 27, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1467968102
• ISBN-13: 978-1467968102
• Product Dimensions: 0.7 x 8.4 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #666,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mike McClenathan attended Brown University, where he studied psychology and philosophy. After college he moved to New York City, and a series of unlikely events led him to the high stakes world of SAT preparation. As a part of his initiation into the industry, Mike took the SAT as an adult in 2007 and scored 2400. He has been honing his craft ever since.

in 2011, dismayed by the high cost of quality test prep, Mike created PWNtheSAT.com, a free website on which he posts drills, explains concepts and techniques, and operates a free question-and-answer service.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best SAT math guides on the market June 22, 2012

By P. Kaye

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a tutor in Central NJ and an adjunct math instructor at a local college. I have reviewed most of the study guides out there and this one wins -- although Philip Keller's The New Math SAT Game Plan is a close second. Both of these books really get into the mindset of what is required to do well on SAT math, but Mike's book is a little meatier. If I had a student who contacted me late for prep, I'd go with Keller's book since it is more streamlined, but otherwise for the student who is allowing adequate prep time I'd go with Mike's book.

I was skeptical to purchase and inspect Mike's book with "Pwn" in the title, but with all of the glowing recommendations I decided to give it a try. I'm in my 50s and had to google the meaning of "pwn." Apparently, it means to own or dominate used predominantly in the vernacular of video gamers; it seems Mike is a gamer himself, but brings a lot more to the table. Notwithstanding the colloquialism used in the title, this is a serious book that is written to and for a teen looking to optimize his or her performance on SAT Math.

Mike is an extremely intelligent individual whose book reflects his 2400 score. He knows his stuff inside and out and understands the roadblocks that prevent students from doing their best. Not everyone is a 700+ scorer, but everyone can and should get the score that accurately reflects his or her best test taking on the big day. More importantly, he writes in a casual,lively, entertaining tone. It is easy to see that he genuinely cares for his audience. It makes more sense to use an SAT book written by someone with the personal credentials to write it rather than the "written by committee" textbooks of the national prep companies. It really is a hidden gem. Amazon gets two thumbs up for selling these types of specialty books that most likely would not be given shelf space at Barnes and Noble to compete against McGraw Hill, Barron's, Kaplan, Princeton Review, and all of the other publishers that have the publishing clout to get shelf space. Sometimes the most popular isn't the best. McDonald's overall revenues exceeds that of Peter Luger steak house, the best steakhouse in NYC, but it doesn't mean you get a better meal there. Mike's book is the Peter Luger of SAT math texts.

Great job Mike!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, a must-have. January 17, 2012

By MattDanzig

Format:Paperback

I've been teaching SAT math for over 7 years, and I've bought, used or read just about every math review guide out there. I'm normally a little critical of written math guides; I often think they're too dry or instead try to be too "cool," and then either cover too many topics and don't treat them with any depth, or attempt too few topics and then cover each in too much detail. But this book finds a perfect blend and provides ample content, and so in my opinion it ranks among the very best. It offers everything an SAT math student may need, and so I would recommend it highly to students (or teachers) of any level.

The book is broken up into four general sections: (1) Techniques, (2) General math content (like algebra, geometry, etc.), (3) Diagnostic drills, and (4) A breakdown of how to approach math problems in the SAT BlueBook. This arrangement is useful and makes good sense.

In the Techniques section, we get a step-by-step walkthrough of useful techniques like Plug-In and Backsolve. These are familiar old friends to anybody in the SAT review game, but the author covers them thoroughly and gives good guidance on how and when to use them. The lessons also make clear how useful these (and other) techniques can be, so the reader is motivated.

The General math content is excellent. Let's face it -- SAT math is not terribly exciting. But the author takes a fun and friendly approach which is refreshing. He clearly knows his business and the lessons and explanations are clear, straightforward and understandable. I was impressed; no stone is left unturned and it's a thorough treatment of all the necessary topics.

The Diagnostic drills really set this book apart and are of a quality not often found in review books. Lots of great drills that build up from easy to medium to hard. Learning the lessons is one thing, but putting it all into practice is where the magic happens and for that, there's plenty for everybody here. Great value.

And the Bluebook section is very cool. The author takes the lessons he has offered and applies them, one by one, to the various math problems in the SAT Bluebook. This is a unique idea and is incredibly smart; all SAT students buy and use the Bluebook for practice tests. This review guide takes the next steps and helps the student apply what he's learned to those very same questions.

Bottom line: this book is very, very good and because it covers all the math goodies an SAT student needs (and then, in my opinion, goes a few excellent steps further), it's an absolute must-have when prepping for the SAT.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars PWNz =D December 29, 2011

By cuteenemo

Format:Paperback

One of the best things about this book is it can help you with the math section of the SAT no matter where you currently stand. It has a wide variety of problems which, if you work at it, you can eventually solve all of. The problems are entertaining, which keep you interested long enough to get past doing three questions (trust me, I've done that enough). I was never really good at focusing on problems, but this book really helped with that. Many of the problems have little tweaks in them that, if you don't read carefully, you will miss. But then you'll go back and be upset with yourself for missing something so easy...but all that does is make you want to do more problems to get them right. I remember when I got my first complete set correct: it was definitely one accomplished moment.
Of course, like with any book, you need to work. I think the biggest thing is this book doesn't make the work seem long and drawn out. Also, the convenience of the answers helps you to understand the mistakes you made, allowing you to (hopefully) not make them again.

Get the book and PWN your SATs! Like some of the people above me, I also got above a 700 (730) on the math portion of the SAT. Does that encourage anyone? You can do it too!