The New Rules of College Admissions (That Nobody Told You)
Mastering College Admissions in Today’s Competitive LandscapeBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® College admissions have never been more competitive, or more confusing, for students and families. Between rising tuition costs, changing testing requirements, and the growing influence of technology, many parents and students feel overwhelmed by how to approach the process strategically. At Prep Expert®, I’ve spent over a decade helping students improve test scores, craft…
Read More about The New Rules of College Admissions (That Nobody Told You)The SAT’s Disadvantages… and the Strengths That Outweigh Them
For decades, the SAT has been a major part of the college admissions process in the United States. Many students see it as a hurdle they must clear on the path to higher education, while parents and schools often treat it as a marker of academic readiness. Yet despite its long history and widespread use, the SAT has always been controversial. Critics argue that it creates unnecessary stress, reinforces inequality,…
Read More about The SAT’s Disadvantages… and the Strengths That Outweigh ThemZero Shame, All Wins! The 6‑Week System That Turns Overwhelmed into Confident (and Students into Superfans)
Challenge Before joining Prep Expert®’s 6-week Flagship SAT course, Bridget Raichle felt unsure in certain content areas and wanted a prep experience that wouldn’t feel overwhelming, especially with classes that can run up to three hours. She needed engaging, clear instruction and a supportive environment where she could build real confidence through practice. “Taylor did an incredible job explaining the content, especially in areas where I felt unfamiliar.” Solution Bridget…
Read More about Zero Shame, All Wins! The 6‑Week System That Turns Overwhelmed into Confident (and Students into Superfans)Forget Months of SAT Prep — This 6-Weekend Plan Changed Everything!
Challenge When Sofia Solano-Arango first set her sights on the SAT, she knew her approach needed a serious upgrade. With an initial score of 1150, she was looking for structure, strategy, and consistency to confidently push toward a higher score. “It really changed the way I approached the SAT.” Solution Sofia enrolled in Prep Expert®’s 6-Weekend SAT Course (Saturdays and Sundays) with instructor Harsh Patel. From day one, Harsh’s teaching…
Read More about Forget Months of SAT Prep — This 6-Weekend Plan Changed Everything!The SAT Course That Makes Hard Stuff Easy—And Students’ Scores Skyrocket
Challenge Before joining Prep Expert®, Kayla Navarro was starting her SAT journey at a 1080 and searching for a program that could truly move the needle on her score, and her future. “Prep Expert® was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my SAT prep, and that’s largely because of my amazing instructor, Taylor Trautwein. I started this course with a 1080 and ended with a 1550 a 470…
Read More about The SAT Course That Makes Hard Stuff Easy—And Students’ Scores SkyrocketNew FAFSA Rules in 2026–27 Will Shock You—Get Ahead Before It’s Too Late
Every year, millions of students and families rely on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to access grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and federal loans. For the 2026–27 school year, FAFSA is undergoing several key changes, some positive, some negative, that could impact how much aid families receive and how smoothly the process works. As someone who has spent years guiding students through admissions and financial aid, I want…
Read More about New FAFSA Rules in 2026–27 Will Shock You—Get Ahead Before It’s Too LateHesitant Student + Epic Teacher = 100 Points in 2 Weeks — The PSAT Prep Playbook That Changed Everything
Challenge Blake Kosmal knew his PSAT score was nowhere near where he wanted it to be. The disappointing result left him “really bummed out” and uncertain about his future SAT prospects. “My score from the PSATs was extremely low, and honestly it really bummed me out.” After hearing about SAT prep courses from his parents, Blake was hesitant questioning if a course could truly make a difference. Solution Despite doubts,…
Read More about Hesitant Student + Epic Teacher = 100 Points in 2 Weeks — The PSAT Prep Playbook That Changed EverythingACT Timing With Breaks
Mastering timing is an extremely important strategy for succeeding on any standardized test, and the ACT is no different. But forget those horror stories of grueling half-day testing; the ACT is doing its part to banish leg cramps and assuage anxieties with its new, streamlined format. ] Today’s ACT is much less exhausting; while you still need to build your testing endurance and understand the timing, it’s not a 5-hour…
Read More about ACT Timing With BreaksThis SAT Strategy Works—A Checklist, a Diet Plan, and 170 More Points on the Board
Challenge Before joining Prep Expert®, Arpan Shah felt stuck with his SAT prep. His practice test scores hovered around 1300, and he knew he needed a serious boost to reach his college goals. But like many students, Arpan worried that test prep would be stressful, boring, and confusing. “I wanted to do better on the SAT, but it was tough to know where to start. I didn’t want to dread…
Read More about This SAT Strategy Works—A Checklist, a Diet Plan, and 170 More Points on the BoardNYC Kids Just Scored Their Biggest Reading Gains in a Decade — Here’s Why It Matters Nationwide
We’ve grown used to grim headlines about education in America: record-low SAT and ACT scores, widening achievement gaps, and a generation supposedly unprepared for college or careers. But in August 2025, a different story emerged. New York City — home to the nation’s largest and often most maligned public school system — reported its biggest reading gains in more than a decade. 56.3% of students in grades 3–8 are now…
Read More about NYC Kids Just Scored Their Biggest Reading Gains in a Decade — Here’s Why It Matters Nationwide