The best SAT math books in 2020


This is a list of the key resources I have used to help student score 750-800 or make huge improvements in scores


Math SAT level II subject test books I recommend


Barrons Math Level II I Generally considered the best book for the math level II exam


Dr. Jang's SAT 800 Math Level II Subject Test  Comprehensive, good problems.



SAT math workbooks I use in tutoring and recommend



Barrons Math SAT Workbook. I use this a lot in tutoring.


PWN the SAT Math Guide  Well regarded, good problems. Not huge numbers of problems. For students at the 550+ level. Students very close to 800 sometimes find it easy.  



Dr. Jang's Math SAT 800 Good workbook of hard problems. Annoying for me that solutions are next to the problems.



SAT Writing books I use and recommend


Kallis SAT Writing and Language Pattern  This is the best that I have found. Has harder problems than the real test and has problems categorized by grammar rule.


Books of made up regular SAT tests that are fairly good


Dr Chungs This has a lot of fairly hard tests. There were complaints initially that it didn't update well to the new SAT, but should be better by the 5th edition.


Dr. Jangs Math SAT 10 Practice Tests His workbook is good, so the tests should be good and difficult.


 Ivy Global 6 Practice Tests I recommend this Ivy Global book more than the other books by major test prep companies. It is new for the new SAT, unlike other books where they tried to revise.


Links to other lists of math SAT books


https://blog.prepscholar.com/best-books-for-sat-math This is a good page. Similar to my own recommendations.


https://www.graduateshotline.com/sat/best-mathematics-books.html


https://www.happyschools.com/top-sat-math-books-test-prep/


https://mygreexampreparation.com/best-sat-prep-books/


Links to other lists of math SAT 2 subject test books


http://www.perfectscorer.com/2017/03/the-best-prep-books-for-sat-math-level.html


https://www.conqueryourexam.com/best-sat-subject-test-in-math-level-2-prep-books/


https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-subject-tests-preparation/2145570-best-book-for-the-sat-math-2-test.html


Links to other lists of SAT Writing books


https://blog.prepscholar.com/the-best-prep-books-for-sat-writing


Links to other lists of general SAT books


https://www.lovethesat.com/tutors-list-of-the-17-best-sat-prep-books/


Additional Information


Its important to choose the right preparation material when preparing for the SAT, Math Level II Subject Tests, ACT, or anything in general! Here I’ve recommended a variety of preparatory math books for you to use.


When studying for standardized testing, it’s important to use official practice material. However, especially when studying for the SAT Math section or SAT Math Level II (or any type of math), you really don’t want to waste that material by trying to take the test before you are ready to test your understanding of the material. While reading and writing are skills that students generally come to the table with, students practicing math often are missing key concepts are skills that they should practice.


Using practice SAT math workbooks is a great way to get more practice in the concepts that you are working on, and a good way to expose yourself to a variety of different math problems and learn to think on your feet. An effective way to use SAT math workbooks is to tie them into your SAT practice plan. Perhaps you’ve taken an SAT test and see that you’ve missed several questions dealing with quadratics. Instead of launching yourself into another practice test after reviewing the first, you should take some time and learn about quadratics and do practice problems involving them. However, not just any practice problems will do – you really want math problems that are as close to possible to real SAT-style problems.


Enter the SAT math workbook. Use math workbooks to give yourself math problems on trouble areas in-between practice tests so that you can test your comprehension in a relatively stress-free environment without using up any official practice test material.

Many good math workbooks also provide some overview of the material, or review of the material, to help you get a good grasp of the topic as well. This is especially important in terms of the SAT Math Level II Subject Tests, which have more content and likely some content you are less comfortable with. By working on these books, you will better prepare yourself for your practice test taking.


Some students will find that they just need to work through the book cover-to-cover, but it’s also important to be efficient in your studying. Remember, quality of studying is the most important part of the studying process. Doing every single problem in every single book does not matter unless you are doing the problems right. Take some problems as just practicing the concepts, but as soon as possible, try testing yourself with these problems with a timer. Whenever possible, practice in test-like conditions under-time. Often, you’ll find a math concept that was easy when you’re not being timed becomes a little more difficult when you’re being timed.


Always take the time to review your answers. Get in the habit of checking your answers and making sure you’re doing them correctly. Look at the explanations and get a sense of whether you took the most efficient route towards the answer. Time is everything on the SAT, and that is no different on the math section.


Keep in mind that despite their best attempts, no math problems written by non-College Board sources will ever be quite like the ones you will actually see on the test, and that College Board is always attempting to improve their test questions, often using real diagnostic data from testing centers and their diagnostic sections. The wording of every SAT question is subjected to the high-level of scrutiny you would expect from a company who makes such a widespread and important test. Other companies just cannot compete when producing SAT math workbooks. At the same time, these workbooks can provide an excellent supplement to your math instruction. Not all students will find instruction from book to be a complete experience; however, their help can be exceedingly useful especially as a source of practice problems.

Keep in mind that all workbooks have their own style and level of detail, and it might be worth taking a look at reviews and your own skill level to know which book is best for you.  




The ultimate collection of SAT books, math book, SAT math books, math SAT books, SAT math resoutces for SAT math tutoring for 2023.