Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)As an SAT teacher, I first took notice of the earlier-edition Amazon reviews that frankly identified the book as a tool capable of reaping major rewards, provided the student invests time and hard work. I reiterate those sentiments, and recommend the book to those willing to shore up their skills to tackle the SAT, and beyond it the lifetime of academic challenges.
A no-non-sense tone underlies the book. Because of the style, a reader might either take comfort from recognizing the traditional voice of school instructors, or shy away in search of quick fixes. In my case, I acknowledged indebtedness to my high school teachers for developing me with the conventional wisdom. The reader could seamlessly absorb this book into high school education.
Onto some specifics:
.The outstanding essay section fashions the student, step by step, into a logical thinker capable of wielding the power of language. Educators might find intellectual familiarity with Joseph Williams' college text, Style. The content, however, is accessible to a high school student willing to learn.
.As a labor of love, the compiled passages and questions show social conscience, scientific wonder at the world, and appreciation of beautiful language.
.The meticulous organization and sub-organization form branches of learning that could be selectively viewed. A reader could take a step back and glean the entire content, or zoom in locally on the areas of greatest need. Other books on the market do cover the question types, but not with this type of crystal-clear vision. A conscientious student could navigate to problem areas and relentlessly eliminate the shortcomings; this is a highly effective way to maximize one's score.
.Though serious, the book is not so ponderous as to ignore the need for a student to exercise a nimble mind at times rather than stay in an overly scholastic pose. The authors come right out and say that the SAT math is different from school math. They equip the student for the occasion.
.Unless I am mistaken, I believe this book was the first to market with those clever, word-root based vocabulary flashcards, which I see in many books now. I also believe in the effectiveness of math flashcards for burning the quantitative thought patterns into the brain. Sometimes, drilling is necessary; I tell my students to shuffle the deck and keep working until instant recall.
Overall, the book offers a highly effective program to build up a student from ground up.
Click Here to see more reviews about: McGraw-Hill's SAT, 2008 Edition book only
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