PSAT/NMSQT 2017 Strategies, Practice & Review with 2 Practice Tests: Online + Book

by Kaplan Test Prep

The most complete PSAT preparation guide!

Prep Smarter. Not Harder.   PSAT/NMSQT 2017  is the comprehensive and fully updated guide that will help you reach your PSAT scoring goals. 

PSAT/NMSQT 2017  guide  

* 2 realistic, full-length practice tests complete with comprehensive 1 in the book, 1 online 
* 1000+ realistic practice questions with detailed expert explanations 
* A detailed overview of the new PSAT including a breakdown of the new sections 
* A thorough explanation of the scoring on the new PSAT, including Area Scores, Test Scores, Cross-Test Scores, and Subscores 
* New Methods and Strategies for scoring higher from Kaplan’s PSAT experts 

Prepare for the PSAT with confidence!  With more than 75 years of experience and more than 95% of our students getting into their top-choice schools, Kaplan knows how to increase your score and get you into your top-choice college! 

PSAT/NMSQT 2017  program provides you with everything you need to improve your score. 

504 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2016

Reviews

[☼Bookish in Virginia☼]

ARC review copy

MIXED BAG

I've test takers all around me so many kinds of test prep books are becoming very familiar.

I have looked at and reviewed quite a few test prep books from Kaplan. SAT and ACT study guides. Their guides specifically for Math. Ones with prep information and ones with only practice exams. I've even reviewed a guide for the nursing exam. AND this book has probably the most intimidating introduction of all of them. Rather than taking the approach of the NCLEX-PN, that the whole thing is work but utterly do-able, this book makes things seem complicated and formidable, and it does so in a cold tone.

I'm fairly sure that everything that's said is factually true, but I had my kids skip over the intro and instead I read it myself (again, taking notes) and I summed it up for them as I don't want them to get off on the wrong foot, i.e. picking up any negative vibes.

NOW, with that negative out of the way, let me say that this book does something that the other guides did not do. And that is that it takes the time to explain how to work the math problems and it takes the time to explain what approach kids should take to the reading sections.

For example, on page 10 the book has a sample math problem. It gives the equation and then the 4 possible answers. The entire rest of the page is an explanation as to how to work the problem and what the student should get from the process. By which I mean that the problem is worked out step-by-step and to the side the authors summarize the Steps that should be taken for ever math problem; principally, 1) READ THE QUESTIONS, IDENTIFYING AND ORGANIZING IMPORTANT INFO AS YOU GO, 2) CHOOSE THE STRATEGY TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, AND 3)CHECK THE ANSWER.

In Kaplan's other SAT/ACT guides, the answers are given but they basically suggest that if you can't figure out the answer that you should make a note of that fact and seek out someone to refresh your memory or teach the techniques needed to derive a solution. In this book there is more help.
.
.
Overall, when it comes to actually reminding students of how to work problems and analyze readings this book excels over Kaplan's other prep books. At least the one's I've looked at. The downside though is the language which is dryer and less kid-friendly. Solutions to problems are provided, as well as the overall test taking strategies of time management, etc., that students should know.

The online signup is still a chore but there's help when you run across any problems, and that is where the other test resides.

I'd say your success (or rather your student's success) with this book will depend on how focused they are and how whether they 'click' with the writing style.