The math that the Digital SAT tests you on is NOT necessarily the math that you’ve learned most recently or prominently in high school. So, even students who have excelled in their sophomore and junior year math classes need to seriously strategize in order to snag that dream score. But never fear: in this post, I’ve broken down every math topic on the SAT….AND how many questions you’ll have on each topic.
Where Should Queer and Trans Students Go to College?
With big political changes afoot at the national and state levels, what can LGBTQ high schoolers do to secure a safer future for themselves? College offers some options there. This post breaks down how to use university to place yourself in a more queer- and trans-friendly environment.
SAT and ACT Requirements for U.S. Students Applying to Canadian Universities
Are you a U.S. student curious about applying to schools like the University of Toronto, McGill, or UBC? Test prep expert Kristina Semos breaks down the latest standardized testing requirements for eight top Canadian universities, including whether submitting your SAT or ACT scores is necessary or optional if you're an American applicant.
How High Does My SAT/ACT Score Need to Be?
You should just be aiming to do as well as you possibly can on the ACT or SAT, right? WRONG. It’s a way better strategy to aim for a specific target score. Let me tell you why and how to find yours!
When to Cancel Your ACT or SAT Score
There are new and helpful options for how to cancel your SAT or ACT score. But don’t get carried away, because there’s a really important question you should ask yourself before you take advantage of them: SHOULD you cancel your score? Let me walk you through the decision the way I’ve helped my students tackle it.
The Best Guessing Strategy for the Digital SAT and ACT
If you’ve taken a few SAT or ACT practice tests (or even a round or two of the actual test), you may have found yourself running out of time on a section or two. What should you do when you don’t have time to actually think through those last few questions? Will it help or harm your score to guess—and if you should guess, what are the smartest strategies for doing so? This week’s post has got you covered.
The New ACT: Section-by-Section Updates
The first practice test for the new ACT just dropped. And it reveals a LOT of things we didn’t know about the new test. Read on for a section-by-section breakdown of what will be different come February/July.
Why Junior Spring Matters to College Admissions
Junior spring is hectic, I know! You might be tempted to let your academics slide as you focus on test prep...but wait! Let me explain why you need to keep your eye on your school books, not just your prep books.
Returning to Test Prep after a Break: 5-Step Plan
Whether it’s winter vacation or a family weekend away, everyone has to take breaks from test prep sometimes. But getting back to your desk after time away can feel like a real drag. Here’s how to regain the momentum you’ve lost.
A New Year's Ritual to Get Accepted to College
A new year is a chance to pause, take stock, and course correct as you proceed joyfully towards your goals. This little New Year’s ritual offers you questions to ask yourself and words to take to heart—all designed to help you realize your college process goals, no matter where you are in that process right now.
How to Double-Check Your Common App
There’s more to calling your Common Application complete than dotting every I, crossing every T, and catching every typo. My six-step checklist will have you hitting submit with confidence!
The Best Common App Resources
Those deadlines are looming and your stress level is rising. Don’t panic! This Common App resources roundup has got links that will help you answer any question, and overcome any hurdle, standing in the way of clicking “submit.”
Early decision: advice if you didn't get accepted (and if you did!)
Early Decisions are about to come out. No matter what happens, you've got next steps. Let me tell you what they are.
Do you have to write the essay on the SAT or ACT?
Do you have to write the essay on the ACT or SAT? I’m usually here to tell you that skipping something you COULD use as an opportunity to shine is a mistake…but maybe not this time. Read on to find out if you’re one of the lucky ones who really CAN forget about writing the SAT Essay section or the ACT Writing component.
ACT Math Study Guide
What’s on the ACT Math section? The ACT website provides one answer to that question…but it’s a slightly confusing one. It isn’t always clear what content is covered under the broad terms they use, like “Algebra.” That’s why I’ve come up with my own system for categorizing every single math topic that the ACT can test you on. Whether you’re taking the 2024 version of the test or the new, revised 2025 version, this post will save you lots of time by helping you figure out exactly what to study and what to skip.
How to find the right standardized testing tutor for you
How can you tell whether your ACT or Digital SAT tutor is the right one for you? This article breaks down the two main types of tutor, and the ten qualities your tutor should have (no matter which “type” you pick).
Make Getting into College Less Stressful
Fights, confusion, stress—that's just what junior year is like, right? Nope! There's a better way. I promise. Let me show you what it can be like.
The Easiest Digital SAT Tricks
Short on study time…but hoping for a point boost on the Digital SAT? Here are my top 12 recs for low-effort, high-reward hacks on this particular test.
Five Tips for a High Digital SAT Reading + Writing Score
Strategy goes a long way on the Reading and Writing section of the Digital SAT. Here are my top five.
Best ACT Strategies: 2024-2025
Sometimes you just don’t have time to learn content. For those of you looking for quick ways to gain points on the ACT, here are my top twelve strategy tips.
