Best PSAT Presentation Books
PSAT stands for Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, but most people just call it the SAT. It is also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test because it’s used to help choose scholarship winners.
On the one hand, the PSAT is an introductory test for the SAT and ACT exams, which are taken by juniors and seniors to qualify for college. On the other hand, it also serves as a tryout for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship program.
Preparing for the PSAT is essential for securing scholarships and applying to colleges.
Preparing for the PSAT will not only help you gain a better understanding of how your strengths and weaknesses measure up against other students’ strengths and weaknesses, but it will also allow you to hone valuable test prep skills that can be applied to future exams. The PSAT is a crucial exam for high schoolers, and it also allows them to polish their test-taking skills for those all-important college admissions tests.
In this article, we’ve reviewed the best PSAT preparation books available, as well as compiled other essential information you’ll need to study.
Best PSAT Presentation Books
Barron’s New PSAT/NMSQT
If you choose one PSAT prep book, this comprehensive volume should be it.
Publisher: Barron’s Educational Series
Year: 2020
Number of Pages: 648
Vast learners Final Grade: A+
This book is one of the best PSAT prep books on the market. In the race for best PSAT prepper, it has a head start
This book comes with lots of practice questions so you can cover all the real topics on the test.
To get ready for the PSAT, you should become accustomed to answering questions that ask you to look for a specific detail from the passage.
If you can answer these kinds of questions, it will feel like just another day of practice when you face the actual exam.
Barron’s has many great features, including a diagnostic test to help you find your strengths and weaknesses. There are also three full-length practice tests and hundreds of practice questions. All of these questions come with answers and in-depth explanations.
Pros
- Has lots of practice questions and three model tests
- Has a concept review that is in-depth and easy to understand
- All the practice questions closely mimic the ones you will find on the exam.
Cons
- The format can be confusing, and the book is very long.
- Some explanations provided by Barron’s can be more in-depth than necessary.
Kaplan PSAT/NMSQT 2022 Strategies
This book provides you with effective test-taking strategies that you can use throughout your academic career.
Publisher: Kaplan Publishing
Year: 2021
Number of Pages: 564
Vast learners Final Grade: A
Kaplan’s tutoring specialists have written an excellent, in-depth book for preparing for the PSAT. First, it reviews material that you need to know. Next, it explores test-taking strategy extensively.
This book introduces the concept review, which helps you learn how to solve questions in a logical way by focusing on those concepts that could be most common and using the process of elimination. The concept review also explains how to answer each question in a step-by-step manner.
This textbook is both concise and thorough, helping you learn what you need to know to succeed on the exam without wasting time delving into unnecessary details.
It’s a great idea to take lots of practice questions, and having over 1000 practice questions at your disposal is really exciting. There are two full-length practice tests included to help you get the hang of it before you take the real thing.
Pros
- The concept-review is thorough and in-depth.
- Explanations are concise and only tell you what you need to know. You won’t have to deal with long-winded explanations.
- Lots of practice questions that mimic the ones you will see in the actual exam.
Cons
- Some questions are either unclear or misprinted.
Princeton Review PSAT/NMSQT Prep, 2022
This book offers a quick review for those who are already confident in their test-taking skills
Publisher: Princeton Review
Year: 2022
Number of Pages: 544
Our Final Grade: A-
The whole idea behind this prep book is to save you time while still giving you a good chance at PSAT success.
Although everyone who takes the PSAT hopes to pass and earn a scholarship, the demands of school sports and other activities may limit your study time.
This book is a comprehensive study guide intended for people who want to learn the most relevant information that they need to pass their exams without worrying about any extras.
The most attractive quality of this book is its effective problem-solving strategies. It takes you step by step into the problem-solving routines that examiners throw at test-takers. Once you have finished reading this book, you will know all of the tricks that examiners throw at test-takers and how to avoid them.
The Princeton Review’s study guide is also a great resource if you want to focus on the PSAT’s math sections. The test has been known to use challenging algebraic problems, but this guide goes into some of the most advanced strategies for handling these questions when it comes time to take the test.
There are drills for all the different test topics, two full-length model tests with answers and detailed explanations, and the latest information concerning modifications to the examination
Pros
- The study guide is brief. You will save plenty of time while still getting useful information.
- It teaches some problem-solving tactics to help identify and handle tricks that are common on the actual test.
- The book includes mathematics strategies for the PSAT’s notorious algebra problems.
Cons
- May not be the best option for those who want an in-depth review
Barron’s PSAT/NMSQT 1520
This prep book is for those seeking the highest score possible.
Publisher: Barron’s Educational Series
Year: August 1, 2016
Number of Pages: 400
Our Final Grade: B+
The Princeton Review book focuses on strategies for the PSAT and is not as helpful with specific tips for the NMSQT.
Preparing for the PSAT is a worthwhile endeavor because the qualifying scores might help you gain recognition in the form of merit awards.
The practice questions, on the other hand, are more challenging than the items you will find on the exam. The concept reviews are in-depth and comprehensive, providing you with everything you need to pass the test and an understanding of many of the topics that may be covered on future tests.
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The Model Test provided in this book contains all the questions from the most recently administered final exam. Questions are organized according to the relevant sections of the textbook, and the Model Test is followed by dozens of practice questions that imitate the material you’re likely to see on the final exam. There are also dozens of drills for students who want to get a head start on studying for the test.
Pros
- Excellent preparation for advanced students seeking the highest possible grade.
- Answer explanations are in-depth, taking you through exactly why the correct answer is right
- There are more difficult practice questions here than in most other books.
Cons
- Those who aren’t advanced students may need to purchase a separate guide with more in-depth reviews of the more basic content.
- If you want a fast study guide, this book is not for you.
PSAT Prep 2017
This book is for those who want to breeze through the review process while still giving themselves a good chance at PSAT success.
Publisher: Test Prep Books
Year: August 14, 2016
Number of Pages: 178
Vast learner Final Grade: B
The authors of this PSAT test overview have sought to cut to the chase, offering a brief overview of the test. As a result, it is an excellent option for those who want to save time.
The book only offers topics on the exam likely to be covered, leaving out any superfluous material. It’s ideal as a final study guide or for reviewing before the exam for students who want to focus on the most essential information and need a no-frills prep book to guarantee a passing grade.
This book contains a model test as well as review questions for each of the sections that make up the full-length model test.
The book also contains practice questions and detailed answers with explanations that help you understand why the correct answers are correct, and why the incorrect answers are incorrect.
Pros
- The book will save you time.
- Works well as a supplement to other test-prep books
- The explanations are simple and easy to comprehend
Cons
- You may need to buy a separate guide for more in-depth coverage.