Kaplan

A couple of Peet’s coffees, to gear up for studying: $3.60.
The book itself, with its 36 intimidating chapters covering everything from the colonial period through 2008: $18.99.
Helping your daughter pass the SAT Subject Test for US History: Priceless.

Is it the best summary of history possible? I don’t know. There are times it gets bogged down in names and detail, beyond what’s necessary, it could use at least a bit more graphically, and the summary of more recent times is a little show more debatable. On the other hand, it’s concise, considering the range it covers, and the practice questions and tests are invaluable. There is no substitute for effort, but the book as a study guide definitely got the job done. show less

**review copy

My life is currently filled with young people in college preparing for various degrees and careers. My own children, nieces and nephews and family friends. As a consequence I have looked at, read and reviewed quite a few of these Kaplan test prep books. (Along with those of Grockit and others.)

THIS book, more than any of the others focuses on HOW to take the exam, and after reading through the book it's clear why. Unlike your SATs, CATs, and even tests you take in nursing show more school, the NCLEX-PN is not about measuring intelligence. It's about integrating the knowledge you gained in school and using it. Therefore the exam won't be divided into topic sections, and it will require knowing what to look for and how to interpret the questions.

There will be questions like 'which of the following would indicate gestational diabetes is likely': and then you are given the test results which range from 40mg/dL to 180 mg/dL.

But there are also questions about what should take priority in assessing a patient.

THE MATERIALS
=====================
--THIS BOOK is well written and very clear. To me these authors gave the clearest and best explanations for test strategies that I've ever run across in the Kaplan line.

The authors take into account how people learn and try to lead the student through the process of identifying their best approach to the NCLEX-PN material.

THE ONLINE EXPERIENCE was nothing if not frustrating. Theoretically you can download an e-version of this book onto your mobile device. You will be using Adobe Reader to do this. I found an explanation for how to download Adobe but no links nor instructions for how to download the book. Unless you are luckier/smarter than I you will probably have to call their number. It is an 800 number.

The online experience also gives them the opportunity to up-sell you to classes and other products.

Note that when I signed up that the online aspects are only free for 3 Months. So from April to July.

SUMMARY
After reading this book and sharing it with a student, I have to say that I can't imagine taking the NCLEX-PN without some sort of assistance. This test is not your standard SAT exam. And I would think almost everyone would benefit from reading about and learning the testing strategies.

That said, you might also want to pick up a book with more sample tests.

The reasons that this book did not get 5 Stars is two-fold. First, the online part expires in just 3 months. (So don't go online until you have to.) The other reason was that the online experience is not straightforward. One problem I faced was that the silly process could not recognize that my email was the same in the first slot as the second. (And yes, refreshed page and began again, and then had my husband make sure there was nothing I was missing.) I had to use his email to sign up. Go figure.

Overall... RECOMMEND. show less

~ Review Copy ~

>> Don't be afraid of the ACT. Why? Because we know what's on the exam,
and we know exactly how you should prepare for it.>>
((yay, comforting words))

Our Girl-teen will be the first of our kids to take the ACT. Currently she's a sophomore so next year the 'excitement' officially begins and right now her guidance counselor is suggesting the ACT for her, rather than the SAT.

At one point the SAT was king, but now more universities are turning to the ACT. You would think the two show more tests would be similar but they're not-- Although it should be noted that the SAT is changing to be more ACT-like. One of the major differences that persists is that you can take the ACT without the writing part. Other differences include the science section that the ACT has, and I've been told, and read online, that the reading selections are more straightforward and less tricky than the SAT.

AS FOR THIS BOOK, this is the first Kaplan ACT book that I've examined. I'm more than familiar with their SAT and GED books, but the only other ACT I've perused is by Grockit. Taking all this into consideration I can say that this book is different. It's approach is more streamlined. The other KAPLAN study guides include DVDs (not all), online access to tests, and a lot of introductory chit-chat. This book has none of those things.

What you get is 8 tests, score pages, and the pages with explanations. Unlike the other Kaplan I've seen there is no pre-test. You just begin with the first test, figure out what you don't know, study up if needed, and then take the second test... and so on.

Surprisingly, I find that I actually like this approach. Or I would for myself. I'd rather just get started than have to take a pretest which will try to divine what it is I don't know. This approach though won't work for everyone. I think it will for my daughter because her dad and I are going to be helicoptering around, ready to do the analysis for her. Others may prefer another approach.

Each test, by the way, is provided in a way that mirrors the real thing. You are told to stop when you finish a section and no go on to the next. This will hopefully make the whole testing situation seem familiar, when the time comes.

SUMMARY
A straight forward streamlined approach. Tests and Answers and Explanations. I can actually see using this book in conjunction with other books or programs. Or for the more competent student, as a means to get into the test taking frame of mind.

~ Review Copy ~ show less

Having a middle schooler and now a high schooler I've been reading and reviewing a lot PSAT and SAT and ACT guide books. Most of them are Kaplan. In that regard I find this workbook one of Kaplan's best.

WHAT I LIKED right off the bat was the authors' suggestions on how to take the test. While all Kaplan books have information about that, I thought the advice in this book was the clearest and best managed. Part of their advice, by the way, is clearing up SAT myths -- like the one about there show more being a penalty for wrong answers; and like answer C is the best to choose if you have to guess.

I also like how they tell kids the best approach for each section, as well as the best calculator to take with you.

I also liked the mini review they had that kids could read before taking even the preview test. I believe it will help focus my childrens' attention before the preview test and the real test.

NOTE though that although there are answers to the questions, the explanations are brief. So like all Kaplan books the reader may need some supplemental help if there's a true area of weakness.

~review copy show less