ACT

Cracking the ACT Premium Edition with 8 Practice Tests and DVD, 2016. Princeton Review. Dec. 2015. 832p. ISBN 9781101881996. pap. $31.99 w/DVD. ED

The ACT provides some free test prep resources on its website (act.org), but the Princeton Review provides a variety of resources in print, online, and on the accompanying DVD. Video tutorials, articles, practice tests, hints, test-taking strategies, and college information are among the resources available by registering on the Princeton Review’s website with the ISBN. The review chapters are relatively short, focusing tightly on strategies for “cracking” the ACT test. The first of the practice tests can be used as a diagnostic, still leaving seven more in the book and online. If students are looking for test-taking practice and not lengthy subject matter review, this guide will certainly fit the bill; however, this reviewer would rather see online or mobile access to resources than CDs or DVDs.

AP

Meltzer, Tom & Paul Levy. Cracking the AP U.S. Government & Politics Exam 2016, Premium Edition. Princeton Review. Nov. 2015. 448p. illus. ISBN 9781101882344. pap. $24.99. ED

Meltzer and Levy balance subject review and test-taking practice needs well. Valuable features include a copy of the U.S. Constitution, a glossary of subject terms, lists of important cases related to each topic, a list of key terms for each chapter, and summary points for each chapter. Four practice tests are included. Registration for online features is by ISBN and provides access to a fifth subject test among other study resources.

High school equivalency

Cracking the TASC. Princeton Review. Dec. 2015. 768p. illus. ISBN 9781101882092. pap. $22.99; ebk. ISBN 9781101882108. ED

The Princeton Review includes online access to an additional practice test and study aids with its print manuals. Since the TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion) may be taken in print or via computer, online practice is an important element for some students. The manual includes a self-assessment; drills embedded in the subject review chapters; and information about TASC, its scoring and structure, and suggestions for test-taking. Prior to purchase, librarians should be sure this test is offered in their state.

Holm, Johanna. Math Workbook for the GED Test. 4th ed. Apr. 2015. 272p. ISBN 9781438005713. pap. $13.99.

Koch, Mark & Catherine Bristow. Basic Skills Workbook for the GED Test, TASC, and HiSET. 2d ed. Dec. 2015. 848p. index. ISBN 9781438006246. pap. $21.99.

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For the GED, subject workbooks such as Holm’s can provide additional practice and exams, including a diagnostic test. Koch and Bristow’s book covers all three high school equivalency exams, with indicators of which chapters pertain to only one or two of the tests. Libraries may be particularly interested in this title in locales where more than one test may be taken. It has the bonus of an index to the topics covered. These books can be paired with Christopher M. Sharpe and Joseph S. Reddy’s How To Prepare for the GED Test, which covers all the subject areas and question types, with pretests, drills, and two full-length practice tests (Barron’s is releasing a new 2016 edition later this year).

Master the HiSET. Peterson’s. Dec. 2015. 58p. illus. ISBN 9780768939880. pap. $18.95; ebk. ISBN 9780768940657. ED

Peterson’s manual is completely contained within this book with no external supplementary material. However, the HiSET website (hiset.ets.org) includes free online practice tests as well as other study resources. Part 1 of this book includes information about the structure of the exam, subject coverage, and how to register. Part 2 contains subject reviews and question strategies. Part 3 has two full-length practice tests; the answer keys include explanations for each question. This is a no-frills approach to test prep, but the price is good and the exam site provides further help. ­Libraries should check to see that the test is administered in their area before purchasing this book.

PSAT/NMSQT

Stewart, Brian W. Strategies and Practice for the New PSAT/NMSQT. Barron’s. Jul. 2015. 264p. illus. ISBN 9781438007687. pap. $14.99. ED

Barron’s offers choices for students, depending on their amount of time to devote and need for review. Stewart’s book has two practice tests but could be completed in a shorter period of time. Librarians might want to consider purchasing shorter as well as more detailed manuals. Another option is the longer PSAT/NMSQT by Sharon Weiner Green and Ira K. Wolf—the 17th edition from 2014 has a diagnostic test, practice tests, and the usual description of the test areas, strategies by question type, tips for test-taking, and review chapters with exercises (Barron’s is releasing a new edition later this year).

SAT

Black, Christopher & Mark Anestis. McGraw-Hill Education SAT 2016, Cross-Platform Edition. Nov. 2015. 624p. ISBN 9781259585890. pap. $28; ebk. ISBN 9781259585906.

Diehl, John. McGraw-Hill Education SAT Subject Test Math Level 2 with Downloadable Practice Tests. 4th ed. Jan. 2016. 416p. ISBN 9781259583735. pap. $25; ebk. ISBN 9781259584084.

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McGraw-Hill offers additional study helps to its SAT 2016 print guide—a customizable study plan, practice games center, social media peer support, interactive lessons, digital flashcards, practice questions, study tools, feedback on the mastery of topics, and an Intelligent Report Dashboard—all accessible online or through a mobile device. These features are available to multiple library patrons. The math subject test manual includes a diagnostic test and eight practice exams, with an additional two tests online. The number and format of practice tests vary by subject for this publisher’s subject test manuals, which also include Literature, Chemistry, and United States History.

Rosanne Cordell is the Associate Dean for Public Services at Northern Illinois University Libraries, DeKalb. She has experience as an academic reference and instruction librarian and a school librarian