Yes, we’re approaching the toughest stretch of test prep and college applications. No, that doesn't mean you should panic. Beat stress with these quick hits.
What Should You Bring to the Digital SAT, SAT, or ACT?
You’ve studied for months, and now the big day is finally here: you’re about to take the Digital SAT, SAT or the ACT. But all of that hard prep work will be wasted effort if you show up to the testing room without the supplies you need to rock the test! Never fear: I’ve made you a checklist of the 7-9 essential items you should bring with you when you take the ACT or SAT, now with updated info on what you should bring to the Digital SAT, too.
SAT and ACT: Strategy vs. Content Sections
Knowing which sections of the ACT and SAT are content sections and which are strategy sections will help you target your test prep, hit your score goals, and open the door to that dream school!
Your 5-Step Plan to Beat the Sophomore Slump
Feeling doomy and gloomy as you head in to tenth grade? With my five tips, you can turn Sophomore year from a bummer into an asset, AND start making yourself a better candidate for college down the line.
Multiplication to Know for SAT No-Calculator Math (Math Etiquette IV)
Yes, I have favorite multiplication tricks. And after you realize how much time and how many errors they can save you on the SAT and ACT, so will you!
Affirmative Action Supreme Court Decision: Does the Class of 2025 Have to Take the SAT or ACT?
You’ve surely heard the huge college admissions news by now: no more race-conscious affirmative action. Considering this change, should the Class of 2025 and younger plan on taking the SAT and ACT?
What to Do if You Didn't Take the June ACT
The June ACT date used to be an absolute must-take. Over the past few years, shifts in the testing schedule have changed that…for SOME students. Which juniors are probably fine if they skipped the June 10 ACT, and what should you do if you’ve already opted to sit it out? Read on to find out.
2023-24 SAT and ACT Test Dates
When can you take the SAT, Digital SAT, and ACT in academic year 2023-24? I’m so glad you asked! Here are all the test dates, as well as registration deadlines, score release dates, and info on how to register.
How to Know if You Should Cancel Your SAT or ACT 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.
Complete Guide to Superscoring on the SAT and ACT
What’s a “super score”? If you’re applying to colleges—or especially 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 SAT and ACT in this week’s post!
Nervous during the SAT and ACT? Stay Calm with Page Turn Zen
All the SAT and ACT prep in the world won’t matter if you get so nervous on exam day that you can’t remember what you’ve learned. That’s why I like to teach my SAT and ACT-taker clients this technique: Page Turn Zen. Read on for the deets on how this simple practice can help you stay calm—and increase your score by hundreds of points.
Does the Class of 2024 Need to Take the SAT or ACT?
So many parts of “normal” got put on hold during COVID, and college admissions were no exception. Many students in the high school classes of 2022 and 2023 got into college without taking the SAT or ACT because a lot colleges temporarily switched to Test Optional or Test Blind admissions. But now that the world has mostly opened back up again after the pandemic, does the Class of 2024 need to take standardized tests as part of their college admissions journey?
Why Your SAT/ACT Score Was Lower Than Your Practice Tests (And What to Do about it)
A student wrote to me with a concern that affects a LOT of high schoolers taking the SAT or ACT: what to do when your test score doesn't measure up to your practice scores. In this blog post I give her (and you) my tried and true two-step technique for turning this disappointing situation around!
How to Recognize a Linear Equation on the SAT (Baby Algebra Pt. 2)
In the second post of my new series upgrading your baby Algebra skills to the level that will let you nail ALL of the possible points on the SAT, we’re covering the foundation: what are linear equations, anyway, and what do they actually mean? Need answers? Read on!
How to Study for the ACT Science Section
The Science section of the ACT can be one of the trickiest for students to master. That’s NOT the same thing as the “hardest” to master, though! This section is a matter of strategy, not cramming content into your brain. This post is your one-stop guide to the ONLY tricks you need to learn to land that high score in the Science section.
What You Need to Know for the ACT Reading Section
The next ACT sitting (September 10) approaches. How’s YOUR Reading score looking? If you’d like to make some improvement, you’ve still got time—and with this comprehensive guide to strategies for this fast-moving section, you’ll also have the know-how.
The QAS and TIR: Find Out Which Questions You Got Wrong on the SAT and ACT
If you’re planning to retake the SAT or ACT, the logical place to start studying is whatever question types you got wrong the first time you took the test. But your College Board report only shows you your score and your percentile ranking. How do you find out which questions you missed—so that you can nail them next time? Enter the SAT’s Question and Answer Service and the ACT’s Test Information Release.
Does the class of 2022 need the SAT or ACT?
The class of 2021 has had their college process upended by Covid-19—including schools going temporarily (or even permanently) test-optional. But what about the class of 2022? If you’re a current Junior, you probably have some questions about testing and college applications in the age of coronavirus—and lucky for you, I’ve got expert answers.
SAT and ACT Test Dates, 2022-2023
If you’re a high school sophomore or junior wondering when you should sign up for your first standardized test sitting, look no further: this post lists out all ACT and SAT test dates for the 2022-23 season. Whether you’re an international student or one based in America, whether you’re taking the SAT or the ACT, this post has got the dates you need, as well as info on how to register for each test.
Perfectionism Hurts Your ACT Score
Perfectionism will cost you points on every section of the ACT. Let me show you how, so I can show you how important it is to avoid this tricky mindset problem.
