Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
(10 customer reviews) 47 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Is the DVD worth the extra cost?,
January 5, 2012 Richard Corn - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Official SAT Study Guide with DVD (Paperback)
I am a private math tutor and author of Math Study Guide for the SAT, ACT and SAT Subject Tests: 2012 Edition.
The printed contents of this book with the DVD are the same as that of its predecessor without the DVD, The Official SAT Study Guide, 2nd edition. I gave this book five stars for the same reason as its predecessor: it contains the best practice tests available.
The difference between this book and its predecessor edition is the DVD and the price, which on Amazon is an extra $8.11 (Amazon prices as of Jan 5, 2012). The answer as to whether the DVD is worth the extra cost will vary.
Many students have complained that College Board books do not contain explanations to the problems on the practice tests, only an answer key. Those who purchase either edition of book (with the DVD or without) will...Read more
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Not worth the extra cost; DVD is almost completely useless,
March 21, 2012 Vince Kotchian "Vince Kotchian" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Official SAT Study Guide with DVD (Paperback)
I'm a full-time test-prep tutor and have been for the past several years. As such, I'm familiar with the past few editions of the Official SAT Study Guide. The version of this book WITHOUT the DVD is essential, as it's the best source of real, College-Board-authored SAT tests.
The only real difference between this version and the non-DVD version is - you guessed it - the DVD. (Ok, there's also a snazzy new cover.) Is the DVD worth the extra cost? Probably not:
1. The DVD does have a new practice test, but between the book and the tests the College Board offers online, you'll have about 13 real SATs, which is plenty for the vast majority of students. If you really want one more test, getting the DVD may be worth it.
2. The SAT test timer can be duplicated with any electronic timer.
3. The math concepts video only explains a few questions.
4. The SAT Skills Insight Video and Additional Tools are more marketing than anything...Read more
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Book is necessary; no need for the DVD,
February 15, 2012 Devorah Goldblatt "ACT Perfect Scorer" - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Official SAT Study Guide with DVD (Paperback)
Another SAT tutor review here. I agree that buying the Official SAT Study Guide is a must since it is the only source of official SAT tests. However, I have gone over the DVD with several of my students and feel that the DVD simply isn't worth the extra money. Yes, the DVD includes an extra test, but we find that most students don't need more than the 10 practice tests in the Official SAT Study Guide and the 1 free official SAT on the Collegeboard website. Furthermore, the free official SAT on the Collegeboard website changes each year, but good old Google can help students easily dig up previous years' free SAT tests if they need even more practice. (For example, a quick search for "official SAT 2009" brought up the full 2009-2010 SAT previously on the Collegeboard website). No need to purchase the DVD just for the extra test.
There is also a handful of math videos, but I would caution students about following Collegeboard teachers' recommendations when it comes to...Read more
