Recommendations for standardized test guides

[Jammies]

I would love some recommendations for companies which provide guidebooks and sample tests for things like the LSAT, etc. I'm hoping to take the test to become a VA accredited agent, but there are a lot of guides for sale, and I don't know which one to get!

TIA

[Sarah]

Depends on the test. When I was doing SAT tutoring, Barron's and Kaplan had the good ones. I'd look for one with lots of sample tests and good explanation of the answers.

[Jammies]

Thanks, Sarah.

Turns out there's only one test guide for the VA accredited agent program, and it's a whole-package deal with tests and other study materials. The total cost is $700. Ow!

[Lori]

All those test guides and classes are ridiculously expensive. We're heading into PSAT and SAT time for Jake, and I'd rather not think about it.

Jammies, I think it's a fantastic idea for you. I wonder if there are used copies?

[Sarah]

In terms of PSAT and SAT the main thing is practice. Timing and pacing, knowing when to guess and when not to guess, getting familiar with the exact types of questions being asked. Word games and logic puzzles help too, just to limber up the brain and increase vocabulary. Knowing a handful of Latin and Greek roots used to be important, but aren't as necessary now that analogies are gone.