SAT prep books are a core part of studying for the test, and there are many of them! Obviously, the first question on most students’ minds will be “what are the best SAT prep books”? Truthfully, for anyone studying for more than four weeks–and ideally you would give yourself eight to twelve weeks–you are going to need more than one book just to have enough practice questions. Let’s dive in to find out why!
Using SAT Prep Books for the Digital SAT
SAT Prep books originate from when the test was taken in written form. Here, we are studying for the digital SAT. There is also the consideration of official versus unofficial material raised above. Let’s briefly go over an approach to using the best SAT prep books recommended later in the blog.
First, I recommend starting with the official material for all the reasons mentioned:
- The Official Digital SAT Study Guide: Developed by the College Board, it offers official practice tests, explanations, and insights into the new format. Recommended for familiarizing yourself with the actual test experience.
But, a quick caveat, do NOT use the exams in this book in their written form. These exams are the same as the free Blue Book exams offered online by the College Board. Since those online exams are official, they are your best means of accurately measuring progress in realistic test conditions.
A solid recommendation for the first one to two weeks using SAT prep books is to use the Official Digital Study guide to familiarize yourself with the test structure, question types, test approaches/strategies, and then do sample questions of each question type. After that, do one online Blue book exam. This will give you a realistic measure of your starting score that you can then compare yourself to as you go. Ideally, save the other three Blue Book exams for later in studying, potentially spacing them out every 2 to 3 weeks.
You can, and should, complete all the other material in the Official Guide. It cannot be stressed enough that this is the material that you’re going to be graded on. Your assessment of yourself should always be based on how you’re performing on Official Material.
That said, you have two options for how to include the other SAT prep books. You can work on them simultaneously as you complete the Official Guide practice questions. Or you can spend the first 1-3 weeks completing the official guide (again, not the exams, just the other material), and then dive into the books recommended below.
And even though you might only take a Blue book exam every three weeks, you’re encouraged to use the exams in the unofficial material on a weekly basis. For example:
Week 1: Blue Book Exam
Week 2-3: Princeton Exam
Week 4: Blue Book Exam
In terms of practice questions, while not all will equal the Official Material, the more practice questions you can do from reasonably good sources, the better off you will be (though you will definitely notice fluctuations in difficulty and style between publishers).
I should also mention strategies and approaches. Most of the recommended books are going to suggest strategies or techniques for approaching questions and moving through the exam. These are an important part of maximizing your efficacy on test day; however, strategies are also something that needs to be practiced.
If you want to get good at a given strategy, commit to using it while you go through sets of practice questions and especially as you go through practice exams. If you don’t build your ability to stick to the strategy now, you won’t be able to stick to it on test day.
Best SAT Prep Books 2025
- Princeton Review Digital SAT Premium Prep, 2025: Princeton offers two SAT prep books tailored to the 2025 Digital SAT: one Premium and one Standard. Given the value of practice tests that use test-like conditions (i.e. a digital online test), the difference between the two is how many online tests you get access to. Premium offers 3 adaptive online full-length practice tests and one text based; Standard offers 2 online and two text based. Princeton also offers comprehensive content review, online flashcards, and tools.
- Kaplan Digital SAT Prep Plus 2025: As with Princeton, there are two versions of the 2025 edition for the digital SAT prep books. The Plus edition offers 1 adaptive exam and 700+ practice questions; the “Total” edition offers two adaptive exams and 1000+ questions. Both books also grant one-year access to an online center with videos and quizzes to help you target your practice through practice questions, detailed strategies, and adaptive online quizzes.
- Barron’s Digital SAT Study Guide Premium, 2025: The latest edition of Barron’s offer features 4 full-length practice tests and 1800+ questions. It is important to note that Barron’s tests are print only. You will still get useful practice, but not quite the realistic experience of taking the digital SAT. As with the others, there is in-depth review of all sections, access to online practice questions, and a structured approach.
- Decoding the Digital SAT: SAT prep book 2024-2025: Provides insightful strategies, realistic practice questions, and tips for navigating the digital format. Good for students who need extra help understanding question types and adapting to the digital platform.
Other Useful SAT Resources:
- SAT Prep Black Book: Focuses on proven test-taking strategies and helpful tricks for improving scores. Can be a valuable supplement for sharpening your technique.
Free Resources:
- Khan Academy Digital SAT Review: Khan Academy is a well established source for free online learning, and they have the benefit of being an Official partner of the College Board. They offer a curriculum based on what the College Board believes are the most important skills for the SAT. They have a massive library of video lessons, drills, and general practice questions.
Factors to Consider when Choosing SAT Prep Books
- Practice Tests: Look for books with multiple full-length practice tests simulating the actual exam.
- Content Review: Evaluate how detailed and clear the explanations are for each section (Reading, Writing & Language, Math).
- Learning Style: Choose a book with a tone and approach that resonates with you (humorous, structured, strategic, etc.).
- Budget: Compare prices and features to find the most cost-effective option that meets your needs.
Making the Best SAT Prep Books Better
I’ve said it in a few ways, but it bears repeating: your best chance of improving your score comes from stacking resources. If you can afford more than one, then you should opt for 2-3. If you need to save, buy the Official Guide and combine it with a free resource like Khan Academy, or purchase a text like Kaplan that offers an online subscription with purchase, then combine that practice with Khan Academy and Official Blue Book tests (which are free).
And whichever path you choose:
- Focus on understanding concepts and practicing effectively, not just memorizing content.
- Develop a study plan and stick to it to maximize your results.
Note: Remember to check on the most recent SAT updates. Although new editions of the study guides come out every year, the exam itself might not be updated for multiple years. Hypothetically, next year, unless the Digital SAT is updated again, study guides released this year and last year will still be usable (and cheaper).
Additionally, always check the official College Board website for the latest information and updates on the SAT.
Conclusion
The best SAT prep books are easy to locate among a few publishers who have been in the test prep game for decades, and while each has strengths and weaknesses, those mentioned here give you access to high quality practice tests, practice questions, explanations, and test strategies. Combined with official material, they form a great foundation for self driven score improvement.
Interested in more personalized help? The test prep tutors at HelloCollege are experienced, knowledgeable, and ready to guide you toward success. Reach out today for a free consultation.
