The 10 Best Digital SAT Prep Books in 2024
April 2, 2024
While we wish there were a magic password to help you achieve that perfect score on the SAT, sadly, no such thing exists. However, what we do have at our disposal is a list of the best SAT prep books to help you challenge your mind, hone your skills, and feel confident on the day of your exam…which is nearly as good! We’ve gone through all the SAT preparation resources—from those put out by the major companies to resources found online—to compile a list of the best Digital SAT prep books to help you thrive and improve your score. The prep books on this list will help you practice, practice, practice—the real key to acing that big test.
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How to Study for the Digital SAT
We get it: the SAT can seem overwhelming. How do you begin? Well, firstly, we recommend taking a practice test, like those found in many of the SAT prep books below. This will not only show you what areas you need to focus on, but it will also give you a sense of where you currently stand at the colleges on your list. After taking the diagnostic test, identify your areas of weakness. Ask yourself: where did you get stuck? What sections did you score lowest on? This will give you a good sense of which areas to focus on in your preparation.
Many students find classes or tutors useful for helping them improve their scores. If these resources aren’t available to you, don’t worry! Self-study is a great way to prepare for the SAT. Regardless of the path you choose, remember to stay diligent and focused. The SAT isn’t the type of test you can cram for the night before. To prepare for this mammoth test, you’ll want to start early and practice often, doing a few practice questions or more each day and ensuring you thoroughly understand them before moving on to the next section.
In addition, now that the SAT is completely digital, many students wonder if it’s still worth it to take paper practice tests. The answer is yes! Paper practice tests are still extremely valuable tools for content and concept mastery. That said, you’ll want to make sure to take at least a few practice tests in the new digital format so that you can familiarize yourself with the layout, structure, and available tools. You’ll also want to ensure that any paper practice tests you take are from Digital SAT books.
Factors to Take into Consideration When Choosing a Digital SAT Prep Book
- Material Covered: Some books cover just the SAT Reading and Writing Sections, while others focus exclusively on Math. Then you have the books designed to address all three of these subjects. In this article, we’ll break down the SAT prep books based on individual subjects and suggest comprehensive options.
- Full-Length Practice Tests: One of the best ways to prepare yourself for the SAT is to take several practice tests. These tests prepare you for the test format and highlight areas where you may want to concentrate more of your efforts. Be sure to take these practice tests as close to real-world conditions. Although it’s nice if the book you choose includes tests, know that you can access Digital SAT practice tests for free through College Board’s Bluebook app.
- Explanations: A good SAT prep book will offer explanations for their answers. These explanations help walk you through how to solve a problem you might have missed.
- Recency: Given the recent roll-out of the Digital SAT, we chose to concentrate on books published in the past year that are tailored to the new changes. Practice books geared toward the old version of the test may not prepare you appropriately for test day. This is especially true for section-specific guides. Many section-specific guides that we previously recommended have not been updated for the Digital SAT.
- Price: In compiling this list, we looked at how much material came in each book to ensure the value offered by each book justifies its cost. And keep in mind that there are plenty of free resources out there to help you study for the SAT. Khan Academy, for instance, offers tons of material. Whether you purchase an SAT prep book or not, we recommend checking out these valuable resources.
The Best Digital SAT Prep Books – Overall
1) The Official Digital SAT Study Guide — Purchase here.
Page Length: 630
List Price: $37.99
- Contains 4 official practice tests and access to Bluebook, College Board’s digital testing platform.
- Contains detailed explanations, question drills, and test-taking strategies.
- Offers targeted sample questions for each type of question.
- Bottom Line: It’s the only study guide created by the test makers, and thus the only place to access true print versions of the Digital SAT. However, the print tests are not adaptive, so you’ll want to be sure to take the practice tests in the online platform as well for the best preparation.
2) Princeton Review’s Digital SAT Premium Prep – Purchase here.
Page Length: 624
List Price: $37.99
- Offers four full-length practice tests (1 in the book and 3 adaptive tests online) with detailed explanations.
- Includes access to online videos with test-taking strategies, as well as digital flashcards and a how-to guide for the SAT’s new built-in calculator.
- 4-week, 8-week, and 12-week study plans.
- Bottom Line: The included 12 months of access to study materials is an excellent benefit. However, it uses a traditional approach in terms of style and structure that some students might find dull, and the online interface isn’t always the easiest to navigate.
3) Kaplan’s SAT Prep Plus – Purchase here.
Page Length: 672
List Price: $37.99
- One full-length practice test is provided that mimics the adaptive nature of the real test.
- The book offers pre-quizzes to show you what areas to skip when reviewing questions and which to concentrate your energies on.
- After each chapter, the book provides practice questions to test your retention.
- Offers a strategy section to help you prepare for the SAT.
- Bottom Line: In addition to the book, you’ll get a year of access to Kaplan’s online resources. However, there are fewer included full-length practice tests than other books.
Best Digital SAT Prep Books — Continued
4) Applerouth’s Comprehensive Digital SAT Study Guide — Purchase here.
Page Length: 750
List Price: $52.00
- This book provides a detailed walkthrough of the Digital SAT and strategies for using its new features, such as the built-in calculator.
- Hundreds of practice problems & solutions.
- In addition to explanations, the book also contains illustrations for visual learners.
- Bottom Line: If you’re hoping to master content and strategy, this book is a great option. Since it doesn’t contain its own practice tests, you’ll want to use it in conjunction with the free digital tests offered on College Board’s Bluebook app.
5) Barron’s SAT Study Guide Premium – Purchase here.
Page Length: 864
List Price: $36.99
- Four practice tests, including a diagnostic test and one that is designed to be adaptive.
- In-depth review of each subject, with over 1,800 practice questions and drills, plus answer explanations.
- Includes strategies, study plans, and tips for how to use the Digital SAT tools most effectively.
- Bottom Line: Includes access to Barron’s virtual platform, which offers online practice with scoring. However, the virtual content is sometimes difficult to access, and practice questions do not always accurately reflect the new types of questions being asked on the Digital SAT.
6) Mometrix’s Digital SAT Study Guide 2024-25 – Purchase here.
Page Length: 308
List Price: $24.99
- Three practice tests available online, with two printed in the book.
- 200+ video tutorials.
- Content is well-organized and closely tailored to what students will encounter on the real test.
- Bottom Line: Mometrix is the shortest of the books included here, but makes up for it with its excellent organization as well as practice videos and tests.
The Best SAT Prep Books for the Math Section
1) PrepPros: The Complete Guide to Digital SAT Math — Purchase here.
Page Length: 375
List Price: $34.99
- Uses a unique four-level system based on math ability and scoring goals (Core Fundamentals, Advanced Fundamentals, Advanced Topics, and Expert Topics).
- Covers every math topic on the Digital SAT and contains over 1,500 practice questions.
- Offers clear, concise video lessons and explanations from an expert SAT tutor.
- Bottom Line: The 4 Level System allows you to tailor your study to your personal scoring goals, whether that is a 600 or a perfect 800. The video explanations are also key learning tools that many students appreciate.
2) Dr. Ela Sharma’s Digital SAT Math Manual and Workbook — Purchase here.
Page Length: 421
List Price: $36.90
- With 14 sections and 85 categories, students will have no issues tailoring the book to their personal study goals.
- Features over 800 practice questions with 1 to 2 step solves and detailed answer explanations.
- 200 questions can be specifically solved with a Desmos graphing calculator.
- Bottom Line: This book offers several levels of difficulty as well as Desmos-specific questions and strategies. Students who are hesitant to use Desmos on the exam will find this book especially valuable.
The Best SAT Prep Books for the Reading and Writing Sections
1) The Critical Reader’s Complete Guide to SAT Reading — Purchase here.
Page Length: 205
List Price: $32.95
- Each type of question has its own full chapter.
- Includes step-by-step explanations and strategies, such as how to quickly identify information and simplify passages.
- Contains dozens of practice questions.
- Bottom Line: Students appreciate that this book provides plenty of tips and test-taking strategies that enable them to be more efficient. Moreover, the question-specific chapters make it possible for students to pinpoint problem areas.
2) The Critical Reader’s Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar — Purchase here.
Page Length: 227
List Price: $33.25
- Provides comprehensive coverage of all the grammar concepts tested on the SAT Writing and Language sections.
- Offers practice questions and dozens of in-depth explanations.
- Organized so that frequently occurring questions are covered first.
- Bottom Line: Easy to navigate. Discusses question types as well as helpful strategies for answering questions. Its questions are thorough, including passages from a wide variety of subjects.
Best Digital SAT Prep Books – Conclusion
Whatever Digital SAT prep book you choose, dedication is the most critical factor in improving your overall score. The more you study and practice, the better off you’ll be. Remember to break down the study materials into manageable sections and concentrate on improving your weakest areas. Follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to earning that 1600!
What’s Next?
Need more information on what is considered a “good” SAT score, average SAT scores over time, or how to compare SAT to ACT scores? We’ve got you covered.
Additional Resources:
If you enjoyed our list of the Best Digital SAT Prep Books, you may also wish to check out the following College Transitions blogs:
