Customer Reviews

SAT WRITING (1997 Edition)

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

 

 

Let's see, it seemed good to begin with...The book wastes so many pages trying to help you keep yourself calm...But seriously people, if you want to do well, as we all do, you've got to practice...I think this book is good if you want to practice, that is if you know what is wrong...If you need to be taught, I'd purchase REA's Writing Book...It helped me so much more...Then again, I barely cracked a 710 on my first shot. I am taking it again in October...I'll probably purchase the Princeton Review and the Barrons book.

I decided to take the SAT 2 Subject Tests before my senior year.Of all my test prep books this one was the best.It was very easy to understand and had lots of practice test,that were as close as you could get to the real thing.I got a 760 for the writing exam.If you are looking for an excellent test prep book,this one is it.

Its a very good book, but could be a little more consise. Lots of wasted info

I bought this book but glanced only briefly at it; finding it less helpful than I hoped, I did not use it. Referring to the quality of the sample essays in the Kaplan book, my English teacher said, "You guys should be writing a LOT better than that." I then took the test without studying, and, like most of the other reviewers of this title, I got an 800--but not because of Kaplan. The excercises in the book will help you *some*, but not too much. The higher your level of writing skill, the less this title will help you. If your current writing score is around 500 and you want to boost it to around 650, this book will probably help you, but if you're looking to boost your score from a 700 to an 800, you'd probably be better off seeking help somewhere else. I sold my copy of this book to a classmate. After using this book (as well as taking several more months of high school English classes), this classmate boosted his score from a 640 to a 700. When I asked him about the helpfulness of the book, he remarked, "There's a limit to how much this book can help you." Barron's usually makes comprehensive review books that are more useful than Kaplan or Princeton Review titles; perhaps the Barron's SAT II: Writing title would be better for someone seeking to improve his/her score.

Writing is naturally an easy subject for me, but a week before test day I decided I'd be better off with some extra prepartion. Based on a few recommendations, I went with Kaplan. Big mistake.

Frankly, I was startled by the generality of the advice given. While basic grammatical ideas will suffice for most test-takers, those expecting a score above 700 need to be acquinted with the specific quirks of the language that ETS throws at you. A quick look at the Barron's guide shows exactly that: specifics that will prepare you for the test (I found this out much later).

To my surprise, I got an 800... but the Kaplan guide most certainly wasn't the reason. It did little to reassure me in light of pre-test anxiety, and after checking out the competition, I'm sure others would be better prepared with the Barron's version.

I have a firm grip of English grammar. I can master colloquial grammer, and had trouble with formal grammar. I used this Kaplan writing book to help boost my English skills. It surely did, for that I received an 800. Barrons is also an excellent book. Careful reading of either Barrons or Kaplan could earn you an 800. But, I reccommend Kaplan.

I was going to take SATII writing for the first time in June and I was pretty nervous because I didn't have the strongest writing skill. I asked my english teacher at school which book should I choose to be my preparation guide since there are so many available. he told me he would do some reserch with those books he has at home. the next day he surely confirm me 'difinatly Keplan's, it's much better than others'. i bought the book and study it. it made me understand what the test looks like, what's the expectaion they look for, how to manage my ideas in writing,and make it a good piece within the time given. i wouldn't have the confident i had on the actual test if i hadn't read the book. thanks keplan satII writng, i'm going to University of Virginia.