Shaan Patel
Written by Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA
Prep Expert Founder & CEO
Shark Tank Winner, Perfect SAT Scorer, Dermatologist, & #1 Bestselling AuthorMore from Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA
Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA
Test-optional isn’t score-blind: Here’s what top schools actually do with your SAT results
Six of the eight Ivy League schools require an SAT or ACT score from first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions…
Aug 18, 2026
Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA
2026 ACT Score Percentiles: What Your Score Means
An ACT score tells you how you performed on the test. Your ACT percentile tells you something slightly different: how…
Aug 18, 2026
Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA
Forget your composite: Here’s how colleges actually add up your SAT scores
Most competitive schools combine your best section scores across separate test dates, which changes what a smart retake plan looks…
Aug 11, 2026