Some recommended books to prepare for the reading comprehension section of the SAT include “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “The Giver” by Lois Lowry, “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller, and “Animal in That Country” by Margaret Atwood. These books are known for their complex themes and ideas, and will help to improve your reading comprehension skills.
Students should also practice with official SAT practice tests. Reading the texts from previous SATs will help students become better acquainted with the types of literary works on the test and their associated questions.
10 Books to Read in Preparation of SAT Reading Comprehension
Here are 10 recommended books to help prepare for the reading comprehension section of the SAT:
- “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger
- “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
- “The Giver” by Lois Lowry
- “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
- “Animal in That Country” by Margaret Atwood
- “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
- “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain
- “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- “The Odyssey” by Homer
Suggested Reading to Help Students Prepare for Science & History Reading Comprehension
In addition to literature, students can also prepare for the reading comprehension section of the SAT by reading texts on a variety of other topics, such as science and history. Here are some resources that students can use to prepare for the reading comprehension section of the SAT:
Science articles from reputable sources: These can be found in magazines such as Scientific American, Nature, or in online sources such as Science Daily. These articles cover a wide range of science topics and provide practice in reading and understanding non-fiction texts.
History texts: These can include primary sources such as historical documents, speeches, and letters, as well as secondary sources such as history textbooks and biographies of historical figures. These texts provide practice in understanding and interpreting historical information, which is a key component of the SAT reading comprehension section.
News articles: these can be found online or in print and cover a wide range of topics. They provide practice in reading and understanding non-fiction texts, which is a key component of the SAT reading comprehension section.
Political speeches, debates, and editorials: These texts provide practice in understanding and interpreting political information, as well as in understanding the use of rhetorical devices.
Social Science texts: These can include texts on psychology, sociology and anthropology, which provide practice in understanding human behavior and interaction.
Other Suggested Reading to Help Students Prepare for SAT Reading Comprehension
In addition to reading books, students can also prepare for the reading comprehension section of the SAT by reading a variety of other types of texts, such as:
Articles from newspapers and magazines: These texts can be found online or in print and cover a wide range of topics. They provide practice in reading and understanding non-fiction texts, which is a key component of the SAT reading comprehension section.
Poems: Poetry provides practice in interpreting figurative language and understanding the use of literary devices.
Short stories: Short stories offer practice in understanding narrative structure and character development.
Online articles, blogs, and websites: These texts can provide practice in understanding the structure and organization of non-fiction texts, as well as in reading and understanding texts on the internet.
Official SAT practice tests: These tests provide a good understanding of the format and types of questions that will appear on the actual test. Additionally, official College Board practice tests are the best way to get familiar with the type of questions and format of the test.
10 Best SAT Prep Books for Reading Comprehension
“The Official SAT Study Guide” by the College Board: This book includes eight official SAT practice tests, as well as detailed explanations of the answers.
“Barron’s SAT” by Sharon Weiner Green: This book includes practice tests, test-taking strategies, and in-depth reviews of all sections of the SAT.
“The Princeton Review’s Cracking the SAT” by Adam Robinson: This book includes practice tests, test-taking strategies, and reviews of all sections of the SAT.
“SAT Premier 2017 with 5 Practice Tests” by Kaplan: This book includes practice tests, test-taking strategies, and in-depth reviews of all sections of the SAT.
“McGraw-Hill Education SAT 2018” by Christopher Black: This book includes practice tests, test-taking strategies, and reviews of all sections of the SAT.
“The SAT Coach: A Complete Guide for the Reading Comprehension” by Elizabeth Drumwright
“Reading Comprehension Success in 20 Minutes a Day” by Judith Meyers
“The Reading Comprehension Bible: How to Pass the Most Important Test of Your Life” by David Gewanter
“Reading Comprehension Mastery: Strategies and Techniques for Top SAT and ACT Scores” by Elizabeth Chesla
“Reading Comprehension Workbook for the SAT” by Princeton Review
