Barron's SAT Subject Test Math Level 2 by Richard Ku M.A., Howard P. Dodge

Another Prospectiveby Reruru

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October 10, 2009: Firstly, I'd like to state that the "anonymous" reviewer that posted before me is degrading the book much more than he or she should be doing. The slope equation that Barron's provided is just a variation of (y2-y1)/(x2-x1), which everyone should know; all Barron's did was simplify it by saying (y - different y, or y1)/(x - different x, or x1) -- they said (y-y1)/(x-x1). X and X1 are different, and so are Y and Y1. In the same case, X2 is different from X1 and Y2 is different from Y1, which comes from the more universally presented slope equation. So, in general terms, the equations are exactly the same. This is the slope equation. I learned this equation in 7th grade. This is a basic equation that EVERYONE should initially know before even THINKING about taking the SAT II Math Subject Test, aside from the fact that this is level TWO math.

Secondly, generally, Barron's is a GREAT guide in pretty much ALL areas of SAT testing. Why? Because they present the more challenging questions and help students think critically. I like it that they include questions that are usually, more often than not, much, much more complicated and thought-provoking than those of many other test guides. So, if you aren't prepared to answer really difficult questions, Barron's is NOT the guide for you. It fits me in that it readily helps me take on the more hard questions that will be on the Math Level 2 test, and pretty much gives you a skim over the easier questions. I don't really need review on the easier questions anyways -- I just want practice on the more difficult ones. This is what Barron's provides me.

A reviewerby Anonymous

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June 05, 2008: I acquired this book in hopes of effectively reviewing all my pre-cal math for the SAT subject test Math 2. I was SORELY disappointed. I am NOT a math whiz. I took AP Calculus as a Junior in high school, so I understand math fairly well but I need clear explanations. Barron's is about as vague as you can imagine. Somehow, the equation of a line is (y - y1) / (x - x1) = slope. I never knew that??? In all my years of math, I never learned that? And Barron's expects you to know that and to use it accordingly. Uhhh... ???? There are several ways to solve a math problem, and Barron's does not seem to acknowledge or encourage that. The explanations are sparse, if any exist at all. I ended each prep session more confused and frustrated than when I started. HATE IT! The 'explanations' are only useful if you already have a strong grasp on mathematics. Plus, there was a lot of superfluous stuff that I highly doubt are on the actual subject test.