The College Panda's SAT Writing: Advanced Guide and Workbook for the New SAT

We also purchased [[ASIN:0989496422 The College Panda's SAT Math: Advanced Guide and Workbook for the New SAT]] and [[ASIN:0989496465 The College Panda's SAT Essay: The Battle-tested Guide for the New SAT 2016 Essay]] this past August

JAN 2017 SAT 1420 690/730 essay 6/5/6 using paid online SAT prep software and free Khan Academy resources
MAR 2017 SAT 1400 700/700 (in-school SAT, so no essay)
at this point she has superscore 1430 700/730
NOV 2017 SAT 1520 760/760 essay 8/6/7 using College Panda books!!

Daughter was away at Yale Young Global Scholars this past summer, and then upon her return worked a part-time job and completed an internship before starting her senior year, so she was unable to take the August SAT. She was also unable to take the October SAT due to her fall varsity sport (playing in not just one but TWO state championships). The November SAT was her last shot!

We have happily rushed her November SAT scores to her ED choice (top 20 engineering school).

THANK YOU SO MUCH COLLEGE PANDA!

It's a little intimidating writing a review for a writing/grammar book, but here goes.
(note: this review is largely repeated for the companion book, [[ASIN:0989496422 The College Panda's SAT Math: Advanced Guide and Workbook for the New SAT]], but the words/review is every bit as applicable. We have been using both).

Some people get perfect scores and really know how to take these tests. Others know how to explain concepts and materials. Very few can do both. Phu is the rare individual who can, did, and does.

Having already had 2 students enter college, I have looked at a lot of PSAT/SAT prep materials over the years. It's hard to find any that are geared toward the more competitive students who already are performing decently but want to have confidence that they've fully cataloged ALL the types of questions, and want insight into the real 'gotchas' of the test. This book does exactly that, is straightforward to read, and doesn't waste your time with any nonessentials.

While Nielson's book is indeed geared toward those aiming for seriously competitive scores, I'm sure it would also be helpful to those who just wanted to understand the "what" and "how" of SAT. Don't bother with the super-thick, fluff-filled guides churned out by the 'bigger' publishers -- too much bloatware in this books! They seem to think the page count justifies their cost, I guess. Further, I have found their 'explanations' of what makes a correct vs. incorrect answer often arbitrary or even misleading. In contrast, this book lays out the scope of the problem types in a no-nonsense manner. If you need a general introduction to 'what is the SAT', how long does it take, etc. then perhaps skim through the beginning chapters of one of those 'fluff' books. But then come use Nielson's for actual study/prep.

One small criticism (not even worth a point/star off on review) is that, like ANY and EVERY prep book not directly published under CollegeBoard (i.e., CollegeBoard or Khan Academy) the problems are unofficial. Why is that important? Because the test authors have a *very particular* manner of authoring the problems (and answers) so they fit their standardized mold. (Which, by the way, is why all those practice tests in the 'big fluff' books are nearly worthless and even misleading. It's just more heft to justify the price.) So just be sure that if you use the CollegePanda then (as Nielson also tells you) do the REAL PRACTICE on OFFICIAL (new) SAT tests & practice questions. Don't waste your time on the big publishers. Did their authors repeatedly get perfect scores?

I am a huge fan of the College Panda! His advice is very sound. He's not condescending, instead he writes clearly, concisely and calmly. It seems to me that he's very much on the student's side.

He's the first person I've read (or spoken to) who advises first taking the SAT untimed, yes, untimed, so that you have a chance to really understand the test. This instantly made great sense to me.

The analysis in the book is meticulous and his insights offer a very substantive method to help you reach your goals.

I bought this book (and his SAT math book as well) for my son, who's a sophomore. I can't say he's keen to really dive into it yet but I've managed to read a few passages he liked. His English tutor (who's a teacher, not just a clever college student and who also does SAT prep) was impressed.

Don't tell my son, but we'll be doing more with this book over the summer before that crazy junior year starts.

I also get the College Panda blog, which I highly recommend.

I bought this book to help someone study for the SAT and it was a real big help! The exercises and practice problems are not dry like they can be in other prep books, which is a big help in keeping the student interested. The explanations are clear, and the breakdown was very easy to follow. Nielson's tips on how to approach bubbling in answers was also a very big help. I hope that he puts together a SAT Reading book one day, it would definitely be very helpful!

Clear, concise breakdown of skills needed to prepare for SAT. The author gets right to the point, presents clear examples and provides multiple practice questions at the end of each chapter. In addition, there are three practice tests at the end of the book. My son really appreciates the author's clarity and brevity. Highly recommend!

Best writing book out there. Covers every rule, and straight to the point. Easiest possible way to guarantee full marks on writing - now if only College Panda had a reading book!

Excellent information provided in a very direct, easy to understand (and remember!) format. I highly recommend this study guide.

This book is amazing! Even though this book is for the SAT, I took the ACT last month after reading this book and got a 35 in writing. Hopefully I will have done just as well or better in the October SAT, but only time will tell. I highly recommend this book because it teaches everything you need to know to do well on the SAT.

This book was a great chance to review for the SAT! It concisely laid out each topic that would be tested in the SAT Writing section, followed by helpful exercises to ensure a greater understanding. This book was worth every penny and it was an extremely valuable resource!

This book was a great chance to review for the SAT! It concisely laid out each topic that would be tested in the SAT Writing section, followed by helpful exercises to ensure a greater understanding. This book was worth every penny and it was an extremely valuable resource!