It’s that time of the year again. The academic year is coming to an end and students are beginning to think of what they should pursue as their higher studies- be it at a graduate level or undergraduate level. If you are one of the many students who are hoping to pursue their higher studies in a country like the US, then you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we have handpicked a list of the top books that will help prepare you for various undergraduate and graduate-level entrance exams in the US.
The exams covered in this article are:
1. Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
The SAT is a standardized test that is used for undergraduate college admissions in the US. It comprises 4 main sections, namely reading, writing and language, maths( calculator), and maths ( no calculator). Students can also choose to write an essay, which will be considered as part of the optional fifth section.
Top Books:
1. The official SAT study guide
Amazon Rating: 4.6/5
What it offers:
- Realistic questions written by the test makers themselves
- 8 full-length practice tests in the new format.
- Techniques to tackle different kinds of questions.
- A detailed explanation of the exam structure.
Click here to check out the price!
2. Kallis’ SAT Pattern Strategy
Amazon Rating: 4.7/5
What it offers:
- Realistic questions, similar to actual SAT questions.
- Detailed answers for each question.
- A detailed explanation of exam structure, format, and topics.
- A clear and detailed explanation of key topics in grammar, maths, and literature.
Click here to check the price!
2. American College Testing (ACT)
The ACT is a standardized test used widely for undergraduate admissions in the US. It is conducted by a non-profit organization of the same name and consists of 4 subject tests, namely, English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science reasoning. Students can also choose to take an optional writing test in addition to the 4 main tests.
Top Books
1. The Official ACT Prep Guide
Amazon Rating: 4.7/5
What it offers:
- 5 full-length practice tests
- Gain access to over 400 questions online
- Contains a diagnostic practice test with details on how to identify weaker areas
- Detailed advice on scores and their meaning
- A detailed explanation of the exam structure
- Numerous test-taking strategies for each section
Click here to check the price!
2. Barron’s ACT Premium Study Guide
Amazon Rating: 4.6/5
What it offers:
- 3 full-length practice tests
- 2 full-length online practice tests
- 1 diagnostic practice test with detailed explanation on how to determine weaker areas
- Practice passages of varying difficulties
- A detailed explanation of answers in each section
- Detailed strategies on how to tackle questions
- Study plan recommendations based on available time
Click here to check out the price!
3. International English Language Testing System(IELTS) / Test Of English as a Foreign Language(TOEFL)
Both IELTS and TOEFL are standardized English exams that test the proficiency of the English language of non- native speakers. Most universities require that the applicants take either one of these tests as part of the admissions process.
Top books:
1. The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test:
Amazon rating: 4.7/5
What it offers:
- Realistic questions made by the tastemakers themselves
- 4 full-length practice tests
- DVD with listening and speaking practice questions
- Strong writing section
- Tips to prepare for the test
Check the book out here.
2. The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
What it offers:
- 8 full-length practice papers
- Detailed answers for each section.
- DVD with listening exercises and videos of speaking tests
- Tips to improve your score
Check out the book here!
4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
The GRE is a standardized test that is used for graduate admissions in the US. It is conducted by the Educational Testing Service(ETS) and comprises 6 sections, 2 each of Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical writing section.
Top Books:
1. The Official Guide to the GRE General Test:
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
What it offers:
- Made by the test makers themselves, it gives an accurate depiction of the actual exams.
- Has 150 verbal and 200 quantitative questions
- Divides questions based on difficulty
- 2 practice tests in the book and 2 online
- Test-taking strategies
Check out the book here!
2. Manhattan Prep’s 5 Lb. Book of GRE
Amazon rating: 4.6/5
What it offers:
- Over 1800 problems covering all topics in the GRE
- Gives equal weightage to all sections
- A detailed explanation of the quantitative section
- AWA (analytical writing assessment) topics are provided at the back
- Numerous tips and tricks to solving problems
- Comes with online GRE question bank
Check out the book here!
5. Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
The GMAT is a computerized test used for graduate admissions into management programs. It consists of 4 sections- verbal, integrated reasoning, quantitative, and analytical writing assessment.
Top Books:
1. GMAT Official Guide 2021
Amazon Rating: 4.7/5
What it offers:
- Over 1150 practice questions
- Access to an online question bank with over 150 practice questions and mobile app
- Questions organized from easiest to hardest to help build knowledge
- A detailed review of verbal reasoning and quantitative section
- Access to flashcards
Check out the book here!
2. GMAT Prep Plus 2021
Amazon rating: 4.7/5
What it offers:
- Over 1200 practice questions covering all sections
- A detailed explanation of answers
- 6 full-length practice tests
- Access to an online question bank with over 200 practice questions
- Strategies to ace the test
Get the book here
6. Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
The LSAT is a standardized test for admissions into law schools in the US and other countries. It consists of 5 sections- two logical reasoning sections, one logic games section, 1 reading comprehension section, and 1 writing section.
Top books:
1. LSAT Prep Books 2020-2021: Study Guide with 2 LSAT Practice Tests for the LSAC Law School Admission Test (4th Edition)
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
What it offers:
- Key strategies to tackle each section
- 2 full-length practice tests
- Step by step explanation of answers
- A good understanding of the exam structure
- A comprehensive review of each section
Check out the book here
2. LSAT Prep Plus 2020-2021
Amazon rating: 4.7/5
What it offers:
- Official practice test
- Numerous practice questions
- Access to online workshops led by top instructors
- Detailed strategies for every section to improve your score
Get the book here
7. Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
The MCAT is a standardized test for medical admissions in the US and other countries. It comprises 4 sections- chemical and physical foundations of biological systems, critical analysis, and reasoning skills, biological and biochemical foundations of living systems, and psychological, social, and biological foundations for behavior.
Top Books
1. MCAT – The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam, Fifth Edition
Amazon review: 4.6/5
What it offers:
- Tips on how to tackle questions
- Section-wise analysis of the exam
- 120 practice questions by MCAT developers
- Understanding of how the exam is scored, and exam structure
- Access to 120 online questions
2. MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review 2021-2022
Amazon rating: 4.7/5
What it offers:
- Detailed diagrams and illustrations
- 24 page MCAT quick sheets to highlight important concepts in visual form
- 3 full-length practice tests
- Access to online quizzes, practice questions, and videos
- 15 multiple choice question sections after each chapter except the CARS book.
Get the book here
Preparing for exams can be intimidating. One may sometimes feel that only extremely brilliant people can excel in these tests. But with the right resources to guide you, you are already one step ahead of the game. All that is needed besides this, is some focused work and anyone will be able to ace these tests! At Scholarship Track, we aim to guide students to the right resources to help them succeed in their future endeavors. We hope that all the future test takers find this article helpful for their preparations. So good luck!
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