Book Review - Hack the SAT, by Eliot Schrefer

As an SAT Tutor and College Coach, I make it my business to read every relevant piece of literature on the subject of SAT Test Prep. I must admit that I have been in the test prep business for some time and as a result I am jaded and skeptical when reading anything that promotes "new ideas". Surprisingly, "Hack The SAT" (Penquin Books) by Eliot Schrefer brings some fresh ideas to the stodgy world of standardized test preparation. The book was recommended to me with much hype. The author is a multi faceted fiction writer, non-fiction writer, and tutor to Manhattan's elite children.Written in a semi sarcastic tone a la "Up Your Score" (a favorite study guide of mine) the book has many smart and sometimes funny approaches to the reading, writing and math sections of the SAT. The author gives the student what he calls, several "tricks of the trade"--time saving, problem solving methods as well as techniques to avoid the silly traps the testmakers often set. Schrefer's writing sty
le attempts to communicate in the language of a High School Junior or Senior. Whether he succeeds is anybody's guess. I haven't been in High School for over 30 years.The book gives some solid advice on how to properly attack a critical reading passage. A running vocabulary list appears at the bottom of each page. There are some basic but necessary rules of grammar designed to help with the writing multiple choice part of the SAT. The essay section is excellent and a must read. The Math tutorial is fresh and it introduces many time saving tricks with the use of a calculator. There are some errors in the Math section which the author promises will be corrected with the next printing. A sharp student who can spot these errors will know he or she is paying attention!In the final chapter, there is a comprehensive mini quiz which the author calls an SAT Drill. The answer key refers the student to the particular page where the question's concept is reinforced. A special bonus secti
on on college applications is very informative.I recommend "Hack The SAT" to students who have taken the exam at least once and have already read "Up Your Score". Schrefer's book boldly contends that his secret strategies can raise your score hundreds of points. The operative word here is can. He and I both agree that all the slick shortcuts in the world will not improve a student's score unless that student is committed to sitting down and taking as many practice exams as possible. The same way major league baseball players take batting practice every day before the game, the student must practice, practice, practice.

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