Preparing for the SAT may feel like an extra stressor in an already packed high school schedule, but the exam offers meaningful advantages that can shape both your college path and your long-term goals. The fact is, there are a lot of benefits to taking this exam, beyond the ones you might expect! Even as many colleges maintain score-optional admissions policies, the SAT remains a powerful tool for students who…

Standardized tests are designed to feel tricky. They compress time, reward pattern recognition, and penalize hesitation. For many students, the SAT or ACT isn’t difficult because the material is beyond their ability, it’s difficult because they haven’t yet learned how to take the test. Across hundreds of Prep Expert® reviews, one theme appears again and again:Students finally understand the “game” behind the test… and once the strategies click, everything changes.…

If you’re planning on attending a college or university in the US, you’re probably going to have to take a standardized test– either the SAT or the ACT. Some students take both, but others prefer to just prepare for one. After all, the two tests are somewhat different in what they assess, and for many students, it’s just impractical to try to take them both. If you’re only going to…

You’ve probably heard classmates or teachers talk about what counts as a “good” SAT score. But the truth is, that number isn’t the same for everyone! It all depends on who you are and where you want to go to college. A score that’s competitive at one school might fall short at another. The real question isn’t what looks good on paper; it’s what score helps you achieve your goals.…

For thousands of students, the SAT or ACT isn’t just a test — it’s a turning point. A higher score can open doors to more selective colleges, bigger scholarships, and a new sense of confidence. Across Prep Expert®’s SAT and ACT prep programs, one pattern appears over and over again: significant, measurable score improvement, often in just a few weeks. This article takes a multi-student look at how Prep Expert®…

Getting a good ACT score can feel a little mystifying to some students. After all, with the big numbers the SAT throws around, it feels a little more clear. But when it comes to the ACT, the gaps between the numbers feel much larger; for instance, there’s no statistically significant difference between a 1585 and a 1590, but there’s an enormous gulf between a 30 and a 35.  So what…

Why Tens of Thousands of Students Taking the SAT Right Now Should See It as an OpportunityBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® Across the country, tens of thousands of students are spending their Saturday taking the SAT. Not because they’re being punished with an extra day of school, but because they’re stepping into one of the most important milestones in the college admissions process. For many,…

Ever since the first university opened its doors to students (either the University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco in 859 or the University of Bologna in Italy in 1088, depending on how you define it), some schools have had more prestigious name recognition than others. During the Enlightenment, it was the University of Paris. The UK has Oxford and Cambridge. In the United States, that prestige converged around eight specific schools…

Why Filing the FAFSA Early Still Matters—Even During a Government ShutdownBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® When the federal government shuts down, it doesn’t just halt national parks or delay agency operations. For millions of students, it directly impacts something far more personal: their ability to pay for college. With FAFSA processing stalled and families unsure whether their applications will be reviewed anytime soon, it’s understandable…

How the Government Shutdown Impacts California Students — And What Families Can DoBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® The government shutdown has officially tied for the longest in U.S. history, and while the headlines focus on political gridlock in Washington, its ripple effects reach much further, to students across California and the nation who are trying to afford college. As federal employees remain furloughed, questions have…