SAT/ACT/PSAT Gold Edition Reviewer's Comments

Test takers looking for a no nonsense, streamlined version of preparation software will find Kaplan SAT, ACT & PSAT Gold Edition to be a program focused sharply on success. Our "TopTenREVIEWS Silver Award" winner from Topics Entertainment provides the tools you need to study for all three of the college entrance exams with 3,000 test questions and a helpful performance analysis.

We originally reviwed the 2006 edition; however, Topics Entertainment has released their 2008 version.

Kaplan's Gold program, like its Platinum version, is useful and efficient. It does lack the extra sub-subjects, college admissions and tuition information available in the Platinum version, but at $10 less these extras may not be needed.

SAT/ACT/PSAT Gold Edition Screenshots. Click for more
       


Ease of Use:  

To use Kaplan SAT, ACT & PSAT 2008 Gold Edition just put in the first disc, take a short diagnostic test to determine your weak areas, then go into extensive study to improve in the areas that you need it most.

The program has a verbal guide to assist you through the program and buttons and menus to navigate through the tests, reviews and tutorials.

Feature Set:  

Kaplan SAT, ACT & PSAT 2008 Gold Edition provides every tool that we were looking for, including full-length tests, math-only tests, essay tests and extras like flashcards and games. This edition consists of two discs that cover the SAT, PSAT and ACT.

A complete performance analysis can evaluate your responses by question type, topic, technique, time spent on the question and whether you changed a correct answer to an incorrect answer.

To keep topic reviews from getting too stressful Kaplan added activities and games to help you decrease your response times. For extra vocabulary assistance, use the flash cards and printable lists.

Kaplan did not leave any subject uncovered and with this software, you cannot help but increase your score, your confidence and the quality of your essays.

Download Process:  

Downloading the two discs took little time and we did not encounter any delays or problems.

Help/Support:  

This program provides a useful and quickly accessible help section, a verbal guide and a FAQ section. It does not include a tutorial and we could not get through to their customer support by phone.

Even though the off-program support could use some improvements, the quality of the product and the help menu proved to be exceptional and this placed the software high on our review list.

Content Rating:  

Kaplan SAT, ACT & PSAT 2008 Gold Edition includes study help for all three of the college entrance exams and offers bonus material online. This program even includes four full-length critical reading-only tests, two math-only tests and two essay-writing section tests with full feedback.

Effectiveness:  

Kaplan's Gold Edition is a comprehensive and an up-to-date study program-they even offer a money back guarantee if your test scores do not improve.

Summary:  

Unless you take a prep program in addition to your regular classes, high school does not directly prepare you for these important tests. Kaplan's SAT, ACT & PSAT 2008 Gold Edition provides full-length sample tests, vocabulary and feedback in an easy-to-use package that you can use at home. Get ahead of the competition with Kaplan SAT, ACT & PSAT 2008 Gold Edition.

If you need assistance in additional subjects like biology, chemistry or government or if you want a guide to college admissions, see our #1 choice Kaplan's SAT, ACT & PSAT 2008 Platinum Edition.