If you’re planning on taking the SAT this year, it’s time to start studying. For many students, that means buying the official SAT prep book, working through it, and hoping for the best. For some of them, this works… but for many, it’s actually quite ineffective. And that’s not for you. You aren’t going to settle for an ineffective study plan! If you’re here, that shows you’re already being proactive…

How to Choose the Right College Without the Stress or RegretBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® If your inbox is full of college acceptance letters right now, congratulations. You’ve made it through one of the most competitive application cycles in recent history—and now it’s time for an even bigger decision: Where will you spend the next four years of your life? For many students, this question…

As someone who scored a perfect SAT score, built a national test prep company, and has helped over 100,000 students improve their standardized test scores, I’ve spent my career advocating for merit-based opportunity. So when I saw the University of Austin (UATX) unveil its new Merit-First Admissions Policy, I couldn’t help but pay attention. In an age where college admissions have become increasingly subjective, UATX is doing something few others are brave enough to…

College Decision Day Is Here—But You Still Have OptionsBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® May 1st is a date etched into the minds of high school seniors across the country—College Decision Day. For most students, it’s the final deadline to accept an offer of admission and lock in where they’ll be headed this fall. But what if you’re still unsure? What if you haven’t picked a…

The ACT is growing in popularity; last year, about 1.4 million high school students took the test, and more are taking it each year. While the SAT is still more popular (with about 1.97 million students taking it), more and more students are turning to the ACT due to the differences in format and question priorities. And many students take both the ACT and the SAT to boost their chances…

Student Loan Collections Are Resuming—Here’s What Borrowers and Families Need to KnowBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® After more than four years of pause, federal student loan collections on defaulted loans are officially returning. Starting May 5th, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) will resume collections on loans that are already in default. If you’re a borrower—or the parent of…

FAFSA in 2025: What Families Must Know to Get College Aid on TimeBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® Every year around this time, millions of families across America are hit with the same question: “How are we going to afford college?” It’s not an easy answer. College costs are climbing faster than inflation. And while financial aid has traditionally offered a critical lifeline, recent events have…

It’s been an odd few years for standardized testing. Between the challenges of the pandemic and universities dropping and then rapidly reinstating testing requirements, many students and families are wondering whether the SAT still holds weight. While some colleges have moved to test-optional admissions, the SAT continues to play a role in various parts of the college application process and beyond. So, how important is it to take the SAT…

Why Families Must Rethink College Funding in 2025—and How to Get AheadBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® If you’ve been paying attention to the news lately, you know one thing is clear: federal education funding can change overnight. Recently, we’ve seen a rapid shift—federal grant and loan programs that millions of students rely on faced a sudden pause, sparking real fear across the country. And while…

If your SAT score isn’t what you’re hoping for, you don’t have to settle for a low score. In fact, you shouldn’t settle. There’s too much at stake here; your SAT score can make a huge difference on your college applications and scholarship money. But making those big jumps in performance might be easier said than done. The good news is that meaningful improvement is possible if you approach your…