The school year is over and a long summer vacation is coming.  Some high school sophomores want to prepare for their SAT and AP tests during their summer break.

Our library has a rich and diverse print collection for patrons who are preparing for the SAT and AP tests.  We have resources from several major exam book publishers including Kaplan, Princeton Review and Barron's.

It is fairly easy to search our library catalog to find the exam books you want.  If all of the available SAT and AP books are checked out, you can place a hold for the next available title at San Jose Public Library, or you can use the Link + service to borrow the materials from other libraries.

Additionally, there is a great electronic resource that I want to recommend to you.  It is called Shmoop Online Test Prep.  This electronic resource is designed to help students prepare for SAT, ACT and many AP exams.  In addition, there are other engaging materials for ASVAB Prep Exam, CAHSEE Prep as well as GED Test Prep.

New users must create an account to use this resource.  Once you have an account, you can start keeping track of your learning progress.  You can access this online test prep from any computer with an internet connection.

Give it a try if you want to use the long summer break to prepare for exams. 

High school students - would you like to find out how you score on the SAT?  Take a full length practice SAT test, proctored by Princeton Review.  This is a great opportunity to try your hand at the types of questions you will see on the actual test.

 There will be SAT practice test administered on Saturday, May 11, 2013 from 1:30 PM until 6:00 PM (tentatively) at Berryessa Branch Library. Please register by calling 1-408-808-3050 or come directly to the information desk.

You do not need to print an admission ticket, but must bring a couple of pencils and a calculator to the test. Check out this SAT Day Checklist to get prepared for the test.

Come back on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 5:30 pm for the strategy session to receive a personalized score report.  Parents are welcome to attend the strategy session.

Prepare for the upcoming SAT and ACT Exams by checking out our latest SAT and ACT exam resources in print and electronic formats. Here are a few recommended titles:

SAT:

Peterson's Master the SAT 2013 by Peterson's
This book provides a wealth of strategies and helps students prepare for the SAT with extensive reviews and nine full-length practice tests--including three online--to help sharpen math, writing, and critical reading skills.
 

SAT 2013: Strategies, Practice, and Review by Kaplan, Inc.

Get ready for the SAT by taking 9 practice SAT tests covering math, writing, and critical reading skills. This book contains detailed answer explanations for each exam question, a parent's guide to college admission testing and useful chapter summaries to help guide the student through the book.
 

The Official Study Guide for All SAT Subject Tests by The College Board

Planning to take one of the SAT Subject Exams? Then check out this substantial study guide, which contains exam tips, strategies and practice tests for all SAT subject exams.

ACT:

Cracking the ACT by The Geof Martz
Cracking the ACT contains proven techniques from the test prep experts. Two full-length practice tests in the book and exclusive free access to an additional practice test online will help prepare ACT test takers.

McGraw-Hill's ACT by Steven W. Dulan

This is a substantial guide for students preparing for the ACT exam. Includes exam tips and strategies, suggestions for each section of the exam, an eight-week training schedule and six practice tests.  

ACT or SAT?: Choosing the Right Exam for You by The Princeton Review

This useful book will help you decide which college entrance exam to take - the SAT or the ACT exam. Make an informed decision by learning the differences and advantages of each exam.

Online

Take free online SAT or ACT practice exams by accessing Schmoop, Tutor.com College Center and LearningExpress (San José Library Card and PIN needed for home access):

Schmoop

Note: First time users will need to create an account. 

Tutor.com College Center

Note: First time users will need to create an account. You can also access Tutor.com on your iPad, iPhone & iPod Touch by downloading Tutor.com To Go™ from the App store.

LearningExpress

Note: First time users will need to create an account. 

Feel free to ask a teen librarian at your local San José Public Library Branch if you have any questions about the SAT or ACT exam preparation resources. Good luck!

Teens, do you want an easy way to find out if you would do better on the SAT vs ACT?  

Come to the Santa Teresa Library Community Room this Saturday, April 21st from 1pm to 5pm.   Kaplan will be proctoring sample SAT and ACT tests.

Please note that Pre-Registration is required to participate in this program.    Call the Santa Teresa Library, 408.808.3068, to reserve your spot today!

You can also check out our Learning Express database, ACT and SAT books

for more college test preparation materials.

San Jose public Library and Kaplan will be offering a series of practice tests in April that give you the opportunity see how you would score on the SAT and ACT tests.  In this 4 hour practice exam, you will take half of each test, and try your hand at the types of questions you will see on the actual tests.  These practice tests are open to all High School Students. 

Evergreen Branch Library

Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 1:00pm

Berryessa Branch Library

Saturday, April 14, 2012 - 1:00pm

King Library (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library)

Saturday, April 21, 2012 - 11:00am

 Santa Teresa Branch Library

Saturday, April 21, 2012 - 1:00pm

Willow Glen Branch Library

Saturday, April 28, 2012 - 1:00pm  

Please note that pre-registration is required for all of these events.   Please contact the library where you would like to take the practice test, in order to pre-register. 

In addition, you can check out a variety of new study books for both the SAT and the ACT.

Lastly, you may also want to look at the LearningExpress Library Tutorials, Tests, eBooks which are accessible with you library card, and have great College Preparation materials, including tools and tips for both the SAT and ACT.

Are you planning on taking the SAT this spring or summer? San José Public Library will be offering 5 SAT essay writing workshops to help learn how to write a great essay for the SAT test.  In these workshops (presented by Kaplan) you will get advice about what essay graders are looking for, as well as strategies on writing effective essays.  These workshops will include practice essay writing and evaluation. All high school students are welcome to participate.