Short answer: the Official SAT Study Guide is College Board’s own prep book, so its practice tests are real College Board tests. But College Board itself says you can take the same practice tests free in Bluebook. The book is worth buying if you want paper copies and its extra instruction. It is not worth buying just for the tests.
What is in the book
College Board sells an updated Official SAT Study Guide in its online store. The first edition of the digital-SAT guide, listed by Barnes & Noble, was described like this:
- 4 official practice tests in print, written by College Board.
- Over 300 pages of instruction, guidance and test information.
- Section overviews of Reading and Writing and Math, with sample questions for each question type.
- Drills by topic and explanations of right and wrong answers.
- PSAT information for the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10.
Barnes & Noble listed the paperback at $34.99. Prices change, so check before you buy.
The catch: the tests are free
On its paper practice test page, College Board says you can take the same practice tests for free in Bluebook, and that printing a test is just another way to study. College Board now lists 8 official digital SAT practice tests, numbered 4 to 11, all free. See all 8 released SAT practice tests.
There is also a big difference between the two formats. The book’s tests are printed, so they cannot adapt. In Bluebook, your Module 1 result changes how hard Module 2 is, just like on test day. College Board recommends taking at least one adaptive test in Bluebook before test day.
Who should buy it
| Buy it if | Skip it if |
|---|---|
| You study better on paper and want everything official in one book | You only want practice tests, which are free in Bluebook |
| You will test on paper with approved accommodations | You want adaptive practice that matches the digital test |
| You want College Board’s own explanations of every question type | You need more questions than 8 tests provide |
What to use alongside it
- More full-length tests: free full-length practice tests in the two-module digital format.
- Skill practice: Targeted Practice builds sets from the skills you miss, and Khan Academy has free official skill courses.
- Hard questions: hard SAT math and hard SAT English.
- Other books: see our comparison of the best SAT prep books.
Want more official-style practice, free?
Take a full-length digital SAT practice test with every answer explained.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Official SAT Study Guide worth it?
For paper learners, yes. For practice tests alone, no: College Board offers the same tests free in Bluebook.
Are the book’s practice tests adaptive?
No. Printed tests cannot adapt. Only Bluebook adjusts Module 2 to your Module 1 result.
Who publishes the Official SAT Study Guide?
College Board, the company that makes the SAT.
Official SAT practice materials
This guide is part of Digital SAT Practice Tests: The Complete Guide.
Related guides:
Explore every SAT hub
- Digital SAT Complete Guide Format, scoring and a full study plan
- Advanced Math and Vocabulary Hub Hard math topics and high-value words
- SAT Grammar Guide Every grammar and punctuation rule
- SAT Reading Guide Reading question types and strategies
- SAT Practice Tests Guide Official tests and how to use them
- Desmos Guide Calculator shortcuts for SAT Math
- SAT Scores by College Ranges and testing policies for 43 schools
- PSAT Guide PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, PSAT 8/9 and National Merit
- Test Strategy Hub Timing, pacing and prep resources
- SAT Predictions Questions most likely to repeat
Sources
- College Board, Full-Length SAT and PSAT Paper Practice Tests (note on the Official SAT Study Guide and free Bluebook tests).
- Barnes & Noble, The Official Digital SAT Study Guide (first-edition listing).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Official SAT Study Guide worth it?
For paper learners, yes. For practice tests alone, no, since they are free in Bluebook.
Are the book's practice tests adaptive?
No. Only Bluebook adapts Module 2.
Who publishes it?
College Board.