Determining Needs

• 1). Set goals by researching the admission requirements of every school you plan to apply to. Most have SAT score minimums to be considered for admittance, and those can vary greatly between schools. Review the SAT requirements for the particular school of study you wish to pursue because their minimums can be different from the university's overall requirement. For example, while a school might accept a 1,000 (math and verbal) SAT score to be admitted to the student body, the college of engineering might require at least 600 on the math portion. Certain scholarships, grants and out-of-state tuition waivers also have SAT minimums.
  
  
• 2). Determine strengths and weaknesses. Many students take the SAT more than once. If you've already tested, examine your scores in every category and see what areas need the most improvement. If you've never taken the SAT, take the practice tests offered online and through your high school counseling department. Knowing what skills need to be sharpened will help you choose the SAT prep book that will most increase the chances of raising your score.
  
  
• 3). Seek recommendations from peers who have taken the SAT. Ask them which prep book they chose, why and if it was beneficial. Compare their goals and needs to your own when deciding whether the book they used would equip you for success on the test.
  
  

Choosing a Book

• 1). If prior scores or practice tests indicate that you need to keep practicing, choose a book that offers recent additions of full practice tests. This also benefits students who are nervous test-takers by providing an idea of SAT format and content. College Board's "The Official SAT Study Guide" is a good choice, offering more than 30 hours of practice.
  
  
• 2). Students who want to challenge themselves should choose a comprehensive book containing questions and practice tests that are more difficult than the actual SAT. The "Barron's SAT" covers all concepts of the SAT in detail and strives to equip students with a competitive edge in answering moderately difficult questions. It contains more than 3,000 vocabulary words and is for those striving to earn a score or 2,100 or above (out of a maximum of 2,400). There are also comprehensive books that present the material in a concise style, such as "Kaplan SAT 2011: Strategies, Practice and Review."
  
  
• 3). If the SAT is rapidly approaching and you've waited late to prepare, consider a concise book that covers the test material and syllabus as quickly as possible. "Cracking the SAT" is suggested for students with less than six weeks to prepare.
  
  
• 4). Students who wish to focus on math will find books that zero in on that section, such as "Gruber's Complete SAT Guide." It also contains a detailed grammar section and vast vocabulary list, but it does not emphasize critical reading. Students who want to strengthen those skills will find books geared toward it.