Crib Notes for Test Prep

Over the past year, libraries have made the national news owing to soaring public usage driven by tough economic times. Much of this increased traffic stems from patrons coming to their local branches to use resources that will help them improve their chances at employment. While some demand practical job-hunting and career materials to help them land a job immediately, other customers seek study guides for standardized or certification tests as they decide to go back to school to further their education for career advancement or to make a vocational change.

Eight years ago, Jacqueline Snider noted in her thorough overview of study guides, "Making the Grade" (LJ 8/01), that test prep materials were varied and abundant, and today they remain almost overwhelmingly so. In these recessionary times, budget-strapped libraries will have to determine users' primary information needs before selecting the appropriate resources. Patrons who never finished high school want guides that help them prepare for the GED (General Education Development), a test substitute for a high-school diploma, while those interested in enlisting in the U.S. armed forces must study for the required ASVAB exam (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). College applicants have to take the ACT (American College Test) or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), and those going to graduate school are likewise required to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) and specific entrance exams for advanced degrees (law, medicine, business, etc.). Other patrons, having completed specialized vocational training, must pass certification or licensing tests before they can be employed, and applicants for government jobs must prepare for civil service tests.

While print study guides remain popular, these resources now feature DVDs, as well as CD-ROMs, and access to test demonstration web sites. In addition, most of the major test preparation publishers, including Peterson's (www.petersons.com), REA.com, Educational Testing Service (www.ets.org), and Kaplan Publishing (www.kaptest.com), provide online practice tests and software, and some, like Kaplan, even include for-fee online tutoring. Publishers Weekly in theMarch 23, 2009, feature "Get Out Your Pencils: New Test Prep Books," reports that Kaplan this month will launch Premier Live Online, a series of interactive online classes with Kaplan instructors in conjunction with Kaplan's GMAT, SAT, LSAT, GRE, and PSAT test guides.

One leading online testing site that has greatly expanded its available tests from 2001 and is now extensively used by public libraries (over 4000 public libraries and 15,000 schools currently subscribe) is LearningExpress (www.learningexpressllc.com), which through its LearningExpress Library offers a wide variety of web-based practice tests and tutorials, including K-12, GED, ASVAB, college admission or exit exams, certification exams, and even citizenship practice and tests in Spanish. Tests offer users a real-world experience and can be retaken repeatedly with immediate scoring. The only drawbacks for patrons who don't own computers are the time limits usually placed on public library computers and technology barriers. Library subscription prices depend on the number of users.

Several free testing web sites, such as www.testprepreview.com/act_practice.htm, www.gedpractice.com (a Steck Vaughn site), www.4tests.com (questions supplied by Barron's Educational), and www.princetonreview.com, are available for those without access to other for-pay resources and would at least provide one practice test.

Obviously, libraries can't purchase every type of exam, but the top four test books they must have (and reorder when they are inevitably stolen) are for the ASVAB, ACT, SAT, and GED. In determining which series to buy, librarians must consider each publisher's particular approach. Kaplan's ASVAB and GED study guides incorporate hundreds of practice questions with a short analysis of the correct answers, while Barron's titles feature a diagnostic section, review section, and then more practice exams. The review sections in the Princeton Review series take a more in-depth look, with drills on specific areas of knowledge such as charts, reading comprehension, etc. And the "For Dummies" series has a more chatty scheme and less of a pure test-taking structure, which may serve some testers better.

Most series don't change their approach from year to year, but weed those titles that are updated yearly when the tests fundamentally change, as in the case of the SAT, which added a mandatory essay in 2005. Where books with CD-ROMs were once a librarian's headache (theft, technical problems), test prep publishers are moving away from computer-based software to web-based or DVD-based instructional media, reducing the relevance of software requirements in determining collection selections and weeding.

As libraries frequently struggle with reduced materials budgets, the following selective bibliography is organized on a triage system: essential titles for all public libraries; necessary titles for libraries with some monies for title replacement; and buy based on funds and demand (for libraries with healthy funding).

ESSENTIAL FOR ALL LIBRARIES ASVAB

ASVAB 2010 Edition: The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Kaplan Pub. 2009. 383p. ISBN 978-1-4195-5067-6. pap. $20.

Duran, Terry L. Barron's ASVAB : Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Barron's Educational. 2009. 492p. ISBN 978-0-7641-4088-4. pap. $18.99.

Powers, Rod & Jennifer Lawler. ASVAB for Dummies. 2d ed. Wiley. 2007. 387p. index. illus. ISBN 978-0-470-10671-6. pap. $18.

GED

Kaprov, Ronald & & Steffi Kaprov. Master the GED 2010. Arco: Peterson's. Aug. 2009. 888p. ISBN 978-0-7689-2797-9. pap. $18.95.

Martz, Geoff. Cracking the GED. 2010 ed. Princeton Review: Random. Sept. 2009. 736p. ISBN 978-0-375-42955-2. pap. $23.

Van Slyke, Caren. GED 2009–2010 Edition: Complete Self-Study Guide for the GED Tests. Kaplan Pub. 2009. 703p. ISBN 978-1-4195-5250-2. pap. $23.

ACT

Dulan, Steven. McGraw-Hill's ACT. 2010 ed. McGraw-Hill. Jun. 2009. 544p. ISBN 978-0-07-162492-3. pap. $32.95 with CD-ROM.

Martz, Geoff. Cracking the ACT. 2008 ed. Princeton Review: Random. 2008. 613p. ISBN 978-0-375-42900-2. pap. $31.95 with DVD.

SAT

College Board. The Official SAT Study Guide. 2d ed. College Board. Jul. 2009. 1100p. ISBN 978-0-87447-852-5. pap. $21.95.

Paul, Laura. Master the Sat 2010. Peterson's. Jul. 2009. 848p. ISBN 978-0-7689-2791-7. pap. $29.95 with CD-ROM.

NECESSARY IF YOU HAVE FUNDS

The next tier of test prep books splits between aspiring college students and graduates and vocational education and includes the next most frequently requested titles. For the college-bound there is the PSAT, a pre-SAT test, GRE, an admissions requirement for graduate school, TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test), a frequent requirement for applicants to whom English is a second language, NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination—Registered Nurse), a national certification exam for registered nurses, and Praxis, a teacher certification test that comes in two levels—Praxis I is a general knowledge exam and Praxis II is subject specific. Many states require passing Praxis I before a student is admitted into a teaching program.

PSAT

Cracking the PSAT/NMSQT. 2010 ed. Princeton Review: Random. Jun. 2009. 400p. ISBN 978-0-375-42928-6. pap. $14.99.

GRE

Green, Sharon & Ira K. Wolf. Barron's GRE. Barron's Educational. Aug. 2009. 576p. ISBN 978-0-7641-4200-0. pap. $18.99.

Kaplan GRE Exam Direct: Streamlined Review and Strategic Practice from the Leader in GRE Preparation. Kaplan Pub. Aug. 2009. 288p. ISBN 978-1-60714-249-2. pap. $20.

TOEFL

Cracking the TOEFL iBT. 2010 ed. Princeton Review: Random. Jun. 2009. 560p. ISBN 978-0-375-42920-0. pap. $24.99 with CD-ROM.

Educational Testing Service. The Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT. 3d ed. McGraw-Hill. Jun. 2009. 347p. ISBN 978-0-07-162405-3. pap. $36 with CD-ROM.

NCLEX-RN

The most comprehensive review for this test is a Thomson Delmar title, not listed because it is twice as expensive as the editions below, which are adequate substitutes.

DiDona, Nancy. NCLEX Review: Strategies and Skills. Jones & Bartlett. 2008. 296p. ISBN 978-0-7637-5226-2. pap. $31.95.

Rinehart, Wilda & others. NCLEX-RN Exam Cram. 2d ed. Pearson Education. 2008. 666p. index. ISBN 978-0-7897-3705-2. pap. $34.99 with CD-ROM.

PRAXIS

Huggins, Diana. Praxis I Exam Cram. 2d ed. Pearson Education. Oct. 2009. 350p. ISBN 978-0-7897-4218-6. $29.

Kaplan Praxis 2009 Edition: Proven Tools To Help You Pass the Test. Kaplan Pub. 2009. 564p. ISBN 978-1-4195-5177-2. pap. $20.

GENERAL VOCATIONAL TESTS

The following study guides are for tests for memory, judgment, comprehension, verbal and math skills, and understanding directions. The tests use language in the vernacular of the job, but these exams are not tests of knowledge or skills of the jobs.

CORRECTION/POLICE OFFICER

Peterson's Master the Police Officer Exam. 18th ed. Arco: Peterson's. 2008. 432p. ISBN 978-0-7689-2717-7. pap. $16.95.

Schroeder, Donald. Barron's Correction Officer Exam. 3d ed. Barron's Educational. 2008. 495p. ISBN 978-0-7641-3800-3. pap. $16.99.

FIREFIGHTERS

Firefighter Exam. 4th ed. LearningExpress. 2009. 338p. ISBN 978-1-57685-671-0. pap. $16.95.

Murtagh, James J. Barron's Firefighter Exams. 6th ed. Barron's Educational. Apr. 2009. 448p. ISBN 978-0-7641-4093-8. pap. $16.99.

POST OFFICE

Bautista, Veltisezar B. The Book of U.S. Postal Exams and Post Office Jobs: How To Be a Top Scorer on 473/473-C/460 Tests and Other Postal Exams To Get a Post Office Job. 9th ed. Bookhaus. 2008. 435p. ISBN 978-0-931613-21-0. pap. $26.95.

Damp, Dennis. Post Office Jobs: Explore and Find Jobs, Prepare for the 473 Postal Exam, and Locate All Job Opportunities. 5th ed. Bookhaven. Jun. 2009. 256p. index. ISBN 978-0-943641-27-0. $24.95. (LJ 5/15/09)

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Wiesen, Joel. Barron's Mechanical Aptitude and Spatial Relations Test. 2d ed. Barron's Educational. 2009. 467p. ISBN 978-0-7641-4108-9. pap. $18.99.

VOCATIONAL KNOWLEDGE TESTS

The books below are specific to reviewing the base knowledge that an individual would have in order to obtain a license or certification. DeWalt and Delmar are the two main publishers for construction-type licensing; DeWalt titles are straight "here is the exam—see how you do" guides. Delmar provides review of the subject matter along with a sample exam. While Delmar publishes better guides, some of its titles have large spaces for writing in answers—always a detriment to public library books. Also note that DeWalt was acquired in 2008 by Cengage Learning's Delmar imprint. In the cosmetology field, Milady's is the primary publisher. Most libraries will only be able to afford the exam review that accompanies the very pricey textbook Milady's Standard Cosmetology.

CONTRACTOR

DeWalt Building Contractor's Licensing Exam Guide with Interactive CD: Based on the IBC and Construction Theory. 2d ed. DeWalt: Cengage Learning. 2008. ISBN 978-0-9797403-8-1. pap. $39.95.

ELECTRICIAN

Holder, Ray. DeWalt Electrical Licensing Exam Guide: Updated for the NEC 2008. 2d ed. DeWalt: Cengage Learning. 2008. 265p. ISBN 978-0-9797403-1-2. pap. $39.95 with CD-ROM.

HVAC

American Contractor's Exam Services. DeWalt HVAC Technician Certification Exam Guide. 2d ed. DeWalt: Cengage Learning. 2008. 265p. ISBN 978-0-9797403-0-5. pap. $39.95 with CD-ROM.

PLUMBING

American Contractor's Exam Services. DeWalt Plumbing Licensing Exam Guide: Based on the 2006 International Plumbing and Fuel Gas Codes. 2d ed. DeWalt: Cengage Learning. 2008. 248p. ISBN 978-0-9797403-5-0. pap. $39.95 with CD-ROM.

ASE (AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE)

Knowles, Don. Automotive Technician Certification: Test Preparation Manual. 3d ed. Delmar: Cengage Learning. 2007. 680p. ISBN 978-1-4180-4926-3. pap. $75.95.

CDL (COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE)

Adams, Alice & Van O'Neal. CDL—Commercial Driver's License: Test Preparation Guide, Everything You Need To Know. 2d ed. Delmar: Cengage Learning. 2007. 322p. ISBN 978-1-4180-3847-2. pap. $28.95.

COSMETOLOGY

Cosmetology Licensing Exam: The Complete Preparation Guide. 3d ed. LearningExpress. 2006. 208p. ISBN 978-1-57685-564-5. pap. $19.95.

Frangie, Catherine M. Milady's Standard Cosmetology: Exam Review. Milady: Cengage Learning. 2007. ISBN 978-1-4180-4943-0. pap. $30.95.

NURSING ASSISTANT

Acello, Barbara. Competency Exam Prep and Review for Nursing Assistants. 4th ed. Delmar: Cengage Learning. 2006. 447p. index. ISBN 978-1-4018-8904-3. pap. $80.95.

Whitenton, Linda. Certified Nursing Assistant Exam Cram. Pearson Education. Jul. 2009. 400p. ISBN 978-0-7897-3934-6. $29.99.

BUY BASED ON FUNDS & DEMAND

Purchase for the smallest group of test takers—CLEP (College Level Examination Program) and computer cert tests are placed here owing to wide variety of subjects covered and thus difficulty in guessing which exact test will be needed. [Computer certification study guides are often reviewed at www.thetechstatic.com.] In addition, there are tests for students working toward advanced degrees, including DAT (Dental Admission Test), GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test—for MBA programs), LSAT (Law School Admissions Test), MAT (Miller Analogies Test used for some graduate school admission), MCAT CBT (Medical College Admission Test computer-based test), Officers Candidate Tests, OAT (Optometry Admission Test), and PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test). The most frequently requested study guides are for LSAT, MBA, and Miller Analogies.

LSAT

Bobrow, Jerry. Barron's LSAT. 13th ed. Barron's Educational. Jul. 2009. 680p. ISBN 978-0-7641-4084-6. pap. $19.99.

Kaplan LSAT 2010 Edition: Strategies, Practice, and Review. Kaplan Pub. Jun. 2009. 504p. ISBN 978-1-4195-5298-4. pap. $30.

GMAT

Hasik, James & Stacy Rudnik. McGraw-Hill's GMAT. 2010 ed. McGraw-Hill. Jun. 2009. 512p. ISBN 978-0-07-162412-1. pap. $21.

Kaplan GMAT 2010: Strategies, Practice, and Review. Kaplan Pub. Jul. 2009. 552p. ISBN 978-1-4195-5294-6. pap. $22.

MAT

Kaplan MAT Miller Analogies Test 2009–2010. Kaplan Pub. 2008. 368p. ISBN 978-1-4195-5307-3. pap. $20.

Sternberg, Robert. Barron's MAT: Miller Analogies Test. Barron's Educational. Sept. 2009. 336p. ISBN 978-0-7641-4235-2. pap. $16.99.