Taking the SAT is a rite of passage for high school students– and it’s a rite you get to prepare for. However, the timing of that preparation can be really important. Start too early, and it’s a long, drawn out, painful process that ultimately isn’t that helpful. Start too late, and you don’t have time to develop strategies or learn how to take the test. Whether you’re a student just…

Credit: ShutterstockWe are in the middle of an academic integrity crisis. While artificial intelligence has incredible potential to revolutionize learning, it’s also fueling the fastest-growing epidemic in modern education: cheating. From AI-generated essays to ChatGPT-powered take-home tests, today’s students are facing a temptation no previous generation had — the ability to outsource their thinking. And many are taking the bait. The AI Shortcut: More Than Just “Homework Help” Across high…

Challenge When Daniel Eastham signed up for Prep Expert®, he was chasing a goal that once felt out of reach: raising his SAT score by more than 150 points. Coming from a background of “mediocrity in academic areas,” Daniel doubted whether it was possible to break past his past performance. “I was slated to be a very unlikely student to receive more than 150 points on my SAT on top…

One of the major academic anxieties that students are feeling today is the question of authorship– specifically, will their work be accused of being generated by AI? It’s something that plagues students, even if they aren’t using ChatGPT. After all, AI checkers are extremely inaccurate. For example, one AI content detector identified the Declaration of Independence as AI generated. It claimed that there was a 98.1% likelihood that this document,…

Why Banning International Students Would Hurt U.S. Colleges—and the Entire EconomyBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® In a bold and controversial move, the Trump administration recently attempted to revoke Harvard University’s certification to enroll new international students—a decision that, if enforced nationwide, would send shockwaves not just through elite universities, but across the entire American higher education system. As the founder of Prep Expert®, I work…

Challenge Suchi Mathur enrolled in Prep Expert®’s 6-week (12-lesson) SAT course expecting a fast-paced, large-group experience. What she didn’t expect was the depth of personal connection and support she’d find, especially from her instructor, Taylor Trautwein. “We had a large number of students and a fast-paced curriculum, but our instructor, Taylor Trautwein, did an outstanding job of making sure everyone felt heard and included.” Even though the format didn’t allow…

When I first took the SAT around 20 years ago, I had no idea where that test would take me. And I’ll be honest, my first attempt was not spectacular! I had to put in a lot of effort to raise that score from average to perfect, which opened doors beyond anything I imagined. My SAT score was the key to competitive college admissions, nearly a quarter of a million…

How the CSS Profile Can Unlock Extra College Aid—And Why Families Shouldn’t Overlook ItBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® When families think about paying for college, they usually start with one word: FAFSA. That’s smart—the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the gateway to federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. But here’s the truth many families miss: FAFSA isn’t the whole picture. There’s another…

By Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® When I first walked into the Shark Tank in 2016 with a whiteboard, a dream, and a company I started from my dorm room, I didn’t know what to expect. I was nervous. I was pitching a test prep company in a space dominated by giants. And I was asking for a $250,000 investment in exchange for 10% equity in…

Student Loan Collections Are Coming Back—Here’s What Borrowers Need to Know Before May 5By Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® After more than four years of pause, the federal government is about to resume one of its most powerful—and intimidating—tools: student loan collections on defaulted loans. Beginning May 5, millions of Americans with federal student loans in default could face wage garnishments, tax refund seizures, and even…