Customer Reviews

SAT 2006, Premier Program (Kaplan SAT (w/CD))

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

 

 

How and where did the problem occur: I bought the SAT 2006 Edition Premier Program. When I took the diagnostic test the scores were incorrectly calculated. On the math grid-ins, it counted responses that were within the answer range as wrong. It only accepts one correct answer which is a problem. In the answer explanations, my answer would be within the correct range, yet it was counted wrong. I bought the book with the cd so that there would be more practice tests and the computer would score them quickly. I would of bought the additional 12 practice tests if I knew the CD did not score the math sections correctly. The CD is useless if it tells me an incorrect score and I have to score the sections myself. For example, on one of the problems, the correct answer range was 0 < x < 1, so .9 was a valid answer, however it counted my answer incorrect and the only answer it accepted was ..5. This problem happened on almost all the grid-ins on the diagnostic test. I would appreciate if this problem is fixed.

I have
found more mistakes in the book, the CD, and the website which
completely outweigh the usefulness of the book and CD.

This book goes through each section of the test giving you facts, stratagies, review, practice, and explinations that are really useful. I like the essay stratagies and most common writing errors (16 for error identification and 15 for improving sentences). The critical reading is good and has great explinations to there practice and the math goes over every concept touched on the test. I particually liked the math trap section where they give you a trap test with 10 of the most common ETS math traps and then explain each question, followed by another trap test. There were a lot of questions not including the NINE practice tests and the online review and practice. People usually say that kaplan inflates scores, but I found the raw score to scaled score chart (for math and critical reading) to be exactly the same as the one in the practice test the college board published (you can find it on there website). With or without the official study guide, this guide is great!

I am taking the SAT in a few days and bought Kaplan's book because I had no idea how to even begin. This book is great. It has really straightforward ways of answering all the question types and gives you strategies to make you realize that they're not that hard after all. The tips were easy to follow and by the time I got to the practice tests, I was a lot more confident than when I began.

Also, the online part is SO helpful. I could click on and keep track of what I've done already and what I have to do. And when you're done with the questions in the book, there is a new online quiz every month, which is really cool and keep you on track. I definitely recommend this to any student.

Kaplan's SAT 2006 Premier Program was satisfactory. I found quite a few typos and errors throughout the program, especially in the book. The Writing section of the book was the most effective, but they didn't provide an adequate amount of information to score high on the Critical Reading section. A lot of the Math section example questions were redundant, and the overall Kaplan strategy of scoring higher on the SAT just didn't work out for me. My score was pretty average, and I was hoping Kaplan would help me exceed my expectations. I don't think I'll use Kaplan again. I tried their PSAT prep book as well, and once again, I got an average score. My average GPA currently is almost a 4.0, and I don't think my SAT scores represent who I am. Kaplan's Premier Program was just average-- it didn't help me get the score that I really wanted. I'd suggest trying something else.

The book is ok but I wish that there was more practice on the CD with vocabulary words. Like someone said the grid-ins were scored wrong! It is ok but maybe there are other books more effective!

Effective learning is often the difference between failure and success, and this edition of the Kaplan SAT Book and CD-Rom has proved to me to be the most sane and powerful learning material yet. I know that I am not very smart, but I pride myself in being able to follow instructions. This edition of Kaplan gave me the necessary information and confidence to score a 1550 on my first try at the SAT test. I found all sections such as writing basics, the essay, reading comprehension strategies, vocabulary, practice tests and others to be quite helpful and informative. I highly recommend this publication to all students and parents of students with college plans.

This book, explains in detail too much of the writing section, but not good on the "critical reading" and math sections. The math questions they provide does not align with the real questions asked in the New SAT. It has good explinations of the practice test, but the content wasnt all that great. I especially hated when this book gives you a list of words to remember and make you write them in cards. The other publishers GIVE you the cards, that you can just tare out, so that's the biggest downside. Again i do not recomend this, use Princeton, MCGraw, or Barrons. DO NOT BUT THE COLLEGE BOARD's.