What’s a “Superscore”? If you’re applying to colleges—or if you’re a parent of someone who is—you need to know how this scoring system works and how it affects your college applications. I’m breaking down the details of super scoring on the Digital SAT and ACT in this week’s post!
College in Scotland & Ireland: What SAT/ACT Scores Do You Need?
If you’re an American who can see yourself attending in college in Ireland or Scotland…this post is for you. It explains the testing requirements for U.S. high schoolers who might want to apply to seven of those countries’ top universities, from Trinity to University of Edinburgh.
How to Use Digital SAT Practice Tests
Real SAT practice tests are a finite resource. Let me explain why that matters…and how to make the most of the valuable practice tests you have!
List of Math Topics on the Digital SAT
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.
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 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.
Checklist: What to Bring to the Digital SAT
What helpful items should you bring with you to the DSAT to ensure you get the score you’ve worked so hard for? I’ve listed out the 9 must-brings, as well as 2 bonus items to consider too.
Digital SAT and ACT: How Long Should You Study?
So…how long does it take to study for the DSAT or ACT? The answer to that question is anything but one-size-fits-all. So if you want to know how long it might take YOU to prep for the Digital SAT or ACT and nail your target score, consider these factors.
Which do colleges like better—ACT or Digital SAT?
Given how much time goes into prepping for standardized tests, you want to make sure you’re taking the right test to begin with. So which one gives you a bigger advantage in college admissions—the Digital SAT or the ACT?
Do Elite Colleges Require a Perfect SAT/ACT Score?
If you want to get into an elite college, you need a perfect SAT or ACT score…..right? Actually, this week’s post explains why a perfect score is NOT always required for admission to Harvard, Stanford, or Yale….and how you should be using your college prep time instead of cramming for that 1600 or 36.
SAT and ACT: Ten Day-of Tips
It’s totally normal to feel nervous on the day that you wake up to finally take the SAT or ACT. But it’s also totally possible to then calm yourself down so you can actually attain the score you’ve been studying so hard for. Here are my ten expert pointers for a Test Day morning that sets you up for success.
Transition Words on the ACT and Digital SAT
Transition words are a big deal on the SAT and ACT! But what are they and how do they work? Here’s the most complete guide to transition words you’ll find.
ACT Add/Delete a Sentence Questions
If the ACT is your test of choice, you’ll have to navigate quite a few questions about language, grammar, and writing. In this post, I spotlight one type of question that always appears on the test—the “add/delete a sentence” question—and spell out my failsafe tactic for figuring out the right answer. If you’re hunting for a quick and easy way to rack up points, read on!
How to Use Diagnostic Testing for the Digital SAT and ACT
You might already know that you need to take a diagnostic test in order to set up a successful test-prep process. But did you know that HOW you take it really matters? I’m explaining what to do and what NOT to do in order to get the best results from your diagnostic SAT or ACT test.
Top Grammar Terms to Know for the Digital SAT
There’s the English we speak when we’re hanging out with our friends….and then there’s the English that we learn in high school grammar courses….and THEN there’s the English that’s tested on the SAT. There are some important differences between the three! That’s why this week’s post rounds up over a dozen of the words that trip up SAT studiers the most, from deceptively familiar parts of speech to oddball words we almost never use aloud.
Overwhelmed by Junior Year? Here's What to Do.
Don't throw in the towel! Instead, muster your grit and learn to make time for schoolwork AND test prep.
Didn't Do Well on the SAT or ACT?
Did you just get back a not-so-hot test score on your ACT or SAT? Never fear. Kristina Semos is here…with a guide on how to recover and do better on your next one.
The Digital PSAT/NMSQT: Everything You Need to Know
The PSAT is now completely digital, in order to better reflect the new, Digital SAT. But the format isn’t the only thing that’s different for this new version of the test. Read on to learn how the timing of the test has changed, as well as what’s being tested.
