Customer Reviews

Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT

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

 

 

Please note that I have not used the updated 2005-6 version. My review is based on its predecessor, which I used in 1997.

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Up Your Score ("UYS") raised my score roughly 200 points. I took a few practice tests, didn't like my score, so I borrowed the Princeton Review book ("PR") from the library. PR raised my score about 50-100 points total, but I still wasn't happy with the scores I was getting...in the low 1200's.

Then I read UYS. It taught me the way to think about the test, and how to approach it. It gave me confidence in my abilities and helped me comprehend thoroughly elimination strategies, vocabulary memorization tactics, and the general thought processes necessary to get inside the head of the ETS and select the answer they want. It enabled me to control the test, instead of letting it control me.

When answering a question, you read, understand, analyze, process, and respond. UYS helps you become more effective and efficient at each step in that process. (PR does this too, but not as well. I will say this for PR...it fills in the few gaps left by UYS.)

In addition, UYS is so enjoyable to read that everything you read will stick with you. If I could only recommend one book, it would be this one.

What it did not do: teach me math or English skills, or teach me vocabulary. It did not explain what the test is, but rather HOW the test is.

When all was said and done I got 690 verbal, 780 math.

My recommended study schedule:

1. Read the free booklet from the ETS.
2. Take one practice test to get your baseline score. (This is helpful later on to understand your intrinsic strengths/weaknesses and to see your progress, which will further motivate you.)
3. Read "Up Your Score"
4. Take 2-3 practice tests.
5. Read Princeton Review's SAT. Focus on the sections that are your weak points.
6. Take 2-3 practice tests.
7. Memorize the vocab in each of those two books (make flashcards).
8. Continue taking practice tests until 36 hours before the exam. Get a good night's sleep for the TWO nights prior. Do something relaxing and fun. Be confident. Don't talk to your friends because they will psych you out even if they mean well.

I would suggest spacing this schedule over 2 weeks/full weekends. Develop a ritual before you start every practice exam, such as aligning your pencils. Then, when you do the ritual the day of the test, it will clear and center your mind, and relax you so you will perform optimally.

If you are reading this review, you don't need this book. You already have what it offers-motivation. If you care enough about the SAT to read reviews of the best practice books, you will do well; trust me. This book is for students who need a push to prepare. While not a bad book for its purpose, it spends too much time motivating, and not enough time teaching. There are relatively few practice exercises, and the answers are too basic for motivated students. Instead, I recommend buying Cracking the New SAT 2005 from the Princeton Review. It has three complete tests, and the main text provides excellent strategies for attacking questions in math, verbal and writing. With time and practice, you will definitely do very well on the SAT.

This is a cute book, easy and fun to read and study with, however....BEWARE! Page 308 gives you information that is wrong! It states that it is OK to make a bold line thru the oval and the test will be OK. It is not OK!!! My test score showed only 4 correct answers and now I have been waiting 9 wks for my test to be handscored. It cost an additional $50 to have your test handscored. I have notified Workman Publishing but I doubt any corrections will be made. MAKE SURE TO BUBBLE IN THE WHOLE BUBBLE! I wonder what other wrong information is in this book?

I found three errors in the math section, then quit reading it. Errors are on pages 194 (when the fish takes his last break, he is already finished), 199 (what should be the factors for x**3+y**3 are screwed up), and 203-204 (the signs on the factos should be reversed). For someone who is not strong in math, this book would be terribly confusing.

I used this book back in high school, and while I really loved it and it was by far my favorite SAT prep book, I do think that it is most helpful for students who already do well on standardized tests but want that extra edge. If you're struggling to break 1100, you would probably be better off with a book that focuses more on the basics (like Kaplan). The book gives lots of great tips about guessing, great vocabulary list including definitions and sample sentences (my school put together their own list, so I didn't really need theirs). It really helps build your confidence, with a lot of little tips and tricks to make test day easier.

I am really glad that they keep updating this book- it really was my favorite book, and I think one of the most helpful for me. When I was taking the SAT in high school, I also looked at the Kaplan and Princeton Review books, and did not think they were helpful at all, because my skill level was past what they were presenting. I think Up Your Score is great for students who already get a lot of test prep in school (like I did) or who feel comfortable taking standardized tests, or as a supplemental to other prep books.

This book is also not a substitute for doing lots of practice questions, which you will need to do even if you're confident about your test taking ability. At bare minimum, I recommend this book + the 10 SATs book.

This SAT book is actually enjoyable to read. It's created for teens by (former) teens. The vocab section gives a really accurate list of those words appearing on the SAT's and the jokes and comics gives actually help remembering the words. This book contains mostly tricks, study tips, and misc. things (like SAT biases, dealing with a bad proctor etc.).

You will still need to buy some more books (like the NEW SAT Study Guide), but this gives a balance of tips and tricks and good ol' studying.

This book was written by clever marketers who want to appeal to younger readers. They are trying to be cute when they should focus on content. I know most SAT books are boring, but they provide the content you need, not cute pictures. I teach SAT verbal and writing (this book was published before writing was added to the test I believe), and the academic material leaves something to be desired.

The BEST books to use are Gruber's and Barron's. Avoid Princeton and Kaplan unless you've completely run out of practice tests in the other two books. Avoid the SAT book that the college board publishes because a friend tells me she can calculate the math problems in her head, and that means they're way to easy.

The problems with the verbal advice of Up Your Score is that the book does not give advice to help with the difficulty of the questions. They also don't emphasize the importance of knowing vocabulary, which if you don't you are up the creek. Another major problem is the vocabulary list. It is way too short. That is why you need Gruber's or Barron's. Both have excellent vocabulary lists. They are really long but they will help your vocabulary substantially.

Also, when you write your essay on the test, use the SAT words you have learned for vocab practice. Apparently readers find this impressive.

Remember Up Your Score is marketing fluff. Get something with substance.

Written by kids who had perfect SAT scores. Excellent, novel ways to process and remember information. Highly recommended.

Up Your Score is for anyone taking the SAT. Instead of providing with many practice questions, it teaches you tips and tricks of how to tackle each type of them. I recommend reading this book before you begin practicing with sample tests. It will help you a lot in strategies and answering.

I got this book for my son. He read it, and so on, but when he took
the SAT, he got fairly low grades (500s). Then we sent him to the
Princeton Review. Each of his three SAT scores was raised about
100 points (600s). That's the difference between UC and Cal State.

On the other hand, the Princeton Review is _expensive_. . .