The College Panda's SAT Writing: Advanced Guide and Workbook

I am a huge fan of the College Panda! His advice is very sound. He's not condescending, instead he writes clearly, concisely and calmly. It seems to me that he's very much on the student's side. He's the first person I've read (or spoken to) who advises first taking the SAT untimed, yes, untimed, so that you have a chance to really understand the test. This instantly made great sense to me. The analysis in the book is meticulous and his insights offer a very substantive method to help you reach your goals. I bought this book (and his SAT math book as well) for my son, who's a sophomore. I can't say he's keen to really dive into it yet but I've managed to read a few passages he liked. His English tutor (who's a teacher, not just a clever college student and who also does SAT prep) was impressed. Don't tell my son, but we'll be doing more with this book over the summer before that crazy junior year starts. I also get the College Panda blog, which I highly recommend.

So, as an international student i was more than thrilled to see so clear and straightforward, but effective explanations at the same time. It dives you down in SAT world completely. There are literally abundant of tricks and tips. In two words, this books equip you up to be savage on your exam day. Both of these! By preparing and filling up an each particular topic you're improving the grammar of the language simultaneously, not to mention learning a bunch of inevitable words strictly for the SAT. In terms of material - there's nothing to discuss about. The only books that made up of legitimately like solid paper materials. If you really are looking for book to practice besides Khan Academy - that's your choice! The other books are replete with redundancy and worthless information that just waist your time really badly. Whereas in Nelson's book- founder of College Panda - you will find practice tests after an each complited, well explained as well as elaborate, topic.

One of the best things about Nielson's books is that they tell you exactly what is needed for a certain section. Other books on a particular section of the SAT tend to be very wordy in explaining certain topics and quite long. Thus, it becomes an arduous task to even finish reading the entire book. But Nielson's books are very clear and "up to the point". For this particular book, the style of explanation and the way the book is structured are some of the best things to mention. When he explains a certain "topic" tested on the SAT, he provides a simple explanation of the topic along with the certain "aspect" of the topic that is going to be tested. Thus, once you read this book thoroughly and do the exercises, you will not only know which topics are being tested on the SAT but also which aspects within those topic are being tested. In my opinion, the preciseness of this book when it comes to explaining the topics along with the exercises it provides to hone the skills of the reader makes it arguably the best book to drastically increase someone's score on the SAT and also the most efficient way to do so.

The book is packed with clear explanations of grammar rules and writing strategies, and it provides numerous practice questions that mirror the style and difficulty of the actual test. What I found particularly useful were the detailed answer explanations, which help reinforce key concepts and avoid common mistakes. Although the book is highly informative, it’s geared more toward students who already have a solid foundation in grammar, so beginners might find some sections challenging. Overall, it’s an excellent guide for students aiming for a top score on the SAT writing section!

If you're here shopping for SAT prep materials for your child, you're likely either buying everything out there or looking for the ONE guide that really works. I signed my daughter up for the SAT and added in the Essay, not realizing for many of the schools she's considering that the SAT Essay isn't required, and not telling her. Way to go mom!! But she was registered so she was going to take it. While she's already a good writer, the SAT Essay has a specific structure and when you're studying for finals and AP exams you can't just rely on those to get you through the SAT Essay. There are A LOT of books out there and I've checked many of them out from the library, purchased others, returned some, and then came across College Panda. Two days later the book is in my hands and I read through it and realize this book is detailed but focused. No random information, no lengthy discussion of what's not on the test, no blathering on and on and on. Just specifics on how to maximize your SAT Essay score. In just a few week my daughter went from pretty decent to nearly perfect by following the tips and instructions in this book. It's not a huge book, but it's concise. With SAT prep I don't want my daughter wasting her time sifting through a bunch of nonsense. I'll gladly pay for valuable information b/c wasting my daughter's time is also wasting my money. Bottom Line: Just buy this book!

My daughter is starting high school next year and we were struggling to find a summer learning workbook with the right level of challenge. This fit the bill perfectly. I teach middle school language arts now, but previously taught at the high school level. A couple chapters into this book, she called me over to say, "Mom, you should make more of your lessons like this. They make boring stuff fun." Then she continued to point out how the examples were funny and relatable. As a teacher, I appreciated how each chapter builds on the last and does not require that the reader have any prior knowledge of the topic. It is a wonderful tool to teach my daughter to transition from learning by direct instruction alone to learn independently by reading and taking notes. All of the practice exercises have a key in the back, so she has learned to check her progress as she goes.

It's a little intimidating writing a review for a writing/grammar book, but here goes. (note: this review is largely repeated for the companion book, The College Panda's SAT Math: Advanced Guide and Workbook for the New SAT , but the words/review is every bit as applicable. We have been using both). Some people get perfect scores and really know how to take these tests. Others know how to explain concepts and materials. Very few can do both. Phu is the rare individual who can, did, and does. Having already had 2 students enter college, I have looked at a lot of PSAT/SAT prep materials over the years. It's hard to find any that are geared toward the more competitive students who already are performing decently but want to have confidence that they've fully cataloged ALL the types of questions, and want insight into the real 'gotchas' of the test. This book does exactly that, is straightforward to read, and doesn't waste your time with any nonessentials. While Nielson's book is indeed geared toward those aiming for seriously competitive scores, I'm sure it would also be helpful to those who just wanted to understand the "what" and "how" of SAT. Don't bother with the super-thick, fluff-filled guides churned out by the 'bigger' publishers -- too much bloatware in this books! They seem to think the page count justifies their cost, I guess. Further, I have found their 'explanations' of what makes a correct vs. incorrect answer often arbitrary or even misleading. In contrast, this book lays out the scope of the problem types in a no-nonsense manner. If you need a general introduction to 'what is the SAT', how long does it take, etc. then perhaps skim through the beginning chapters of one of those 'fluff' books. But then come use Nielson's for actual study/prep. One small criticism (not even worth a point/star off on review) is that, like ANY and EVERY prep book not directly published under CollegeBoard (i.e., CollegeBoard or Khan Academy) the problems are unofficial. Why is that important? Because the test authors have a *very particular* manner of authoring the problems (and answers) so they fit their standardized mold. (Which, by the way, is why all those practice tests in the 'big fluff' books are nearly worthless and even misleading. It's just more heft to justify the price.) So just be sure that if you use the CollegePanda then (as Nielson also tells you) do the REAL PRACTICE on OFFICIAL (new) SAT tests & practice questions. Don't waste your time on the big publishers. Did their authors repeatedly get perfect scores?

college panda books made me feel more prepared than the other SAT prep books I bought (Princeton review, etc.). This writing book was no exception. I recommend it for anyone planning to take the SAT

Saemtliche Themen Themen wie Rechtschreibung, Grammatik, Satzbau, Konjunktion, etc. sind sehr strukturiert und ausfuehrlich erklaert. Die einzelnen Kapitel bieten zuerst eine Uebersicht, dann meist einige schwierigere Uebungen, die dem/der LeserIn zeigen sollen wie schwer oder leicht die Thematik ist, gefolgt von einer Ueberpruefung im SAT-Stil. Am Ende des Buches finden sich auch noch drei praktische SAT-Tests (die Writing Teile) um einen finalen Ueberblick bezueglich des eigenen Koennens zu geben. Alles in allem ist dieses Buch eine hervorragende Option fuer die Vorbereitung auf den SAT, jedoch ist es vorstellbar, dass bei starken Defiziten in manchen Bereichen wie den Zeitformen oder der Interpunktion andere Ratgeber/Lernhelfer zu Rate gezogen werden muessen, da pro Thema nur eine handvoll Seiten vorhanden sind.

Well explained book, makes me feel really prepared for my SAT.

Nielson Phu's books are written exceptionally well! I was recommended the CollegePanda series by a friend and I can say for sure that the techniques he discusses in these books do positively affect one's scores. Compared to other books, i found the College Panda books easier to understand. Although written precise, they cover all the necessary chapters and provide ample of practice questions.

good deal, Just as expected

Have only gotten hold of it recently but oh my .. vividly written.. lucid examples. Relevant questions.. Spot on.. when you reach the end of the book I am pretty sure you would be done with the writing section and can see the improvement yourself