If you are the parent of a junior-year student who hasn’t taken the ACT or SAT yet, you might feel a sense of panic this spring. Your student has been busy with school, sports, extracurriculars, and driving lessons. However, they haven’t had time to take or prepare for standardized tests. We get it, and you […]
It’s been difficult lately to keep up with all the news about the SAT and ACT, and we do this professionally! You’re likely wondering what to make of so many colleges and universities going test optional and whether students are actually taking the tests. And, more importantly, whether you should look to take a test! […]
ACT Math Overview In many ways, the ACT Math section is the most straightforward section on the whole test — it’s the one with questions most like those you’ve encountered in school. In fact, your approach to the Math section is more influenced by what classes you’ve taken in school than is any other section. […]
In our English classes, our teachers have frequently told us to “go deeper” or to “go farther” or to “find our own analysis.” Those are great for English class. Don’t do that on the ACT. While the ability to read and mostly understand short passages is a prerequisite for the reading portion of the ACT, […]
We get tons of questions from sophomores about when to start preparing for the SAT or ACT. In most years, we advise students to hold off on any test prep until sophomore year is in the books. Why? Well, the number one indicator of where you get to go to college is your grades, so […]
ACT English Overview I often tell students I’m working with that the ACT and the SAT are bad tests. Why? I’ve been working with them for over 15 years and still can’t tell you what they really measure. It’s certainly not “intelligence” or IQ, there’s little correlation between test scores and grades, and test scores […]
ACT Science Overview Before discussing how to tackle science strategy, I want to note a few things about what skills the ACT science section tests. I’ll often introduce the science section as a “science” section, with a tongue-in-cheek eye roll and obvious air quotes. On the whole, it does not test whether we remember topics […]
Originally published October 2, 2019 When meeting with parents, this is the most frequent question I get asked, so obviously I’m very experienced answering this simple, logical question. The answer is “I don’t know.” I completely understand that this is a frustrating answer. The entire application process is complex and tiring, and offering this simple […]
Wait, what? The SAT? The ACT? Why are we talking about these tests again? Those are reasonable questions and — I promise — this is the last time we’ll be talking to you about the SAT or ACT. You’re now likely neck deep in the college application process and have happily, hopefully, left standardized tests […]
By Ned Johnson & Aaron Golumbfskie Here are nine truths to keep in mind when prepping for the SAT or ACT. The most important factor in college admissions is your transcript. Unfortunately, the next most important factor is your standardized test scores, but never let test prep get in the way of acing school! Success […]