With January 20, 2025 fast approaching, all eyes are on former President Donald Trump’s second inauguration and the policies he plans to implement over the next four years. In Meritocracy, my monthly newsletter focused on revitalizing a culture where hard work, talent, and achievement are rightly rewarded, I’ve often discussed how the ideals of meritocratic governance can help us recalibrate our educational systems, labor markets, and immigration framework. Now, with…

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently announced an inspiring policy: the school will now provide free college tuition for families earning less than $200,000 annually. Similarly, the University of Texas system recently made a similar pledge for families making under $100,000. And these prestigious institutions are far from alone. More and more top-tier colleges and universities are eliminating financial barriers for talented students from middle- and lower-income backgrounds. This shift…

The landscape of college admissions has undergone significant shifts in recent years, particularly with the temporary suspension of standardized test requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as we approach the 2025 admissions cycle, a growing number of colleges are reinstating SAT and ACT test score requirements. This trend reflects a renewed commitment to meritocracy in education—a principle that I, Dr. Shaan Patel (Founder & CEO of Prep Expert), firmly…

The SAT is offered several times a year– but what is the best time to take the SAT? Does it really matter? The date isn’t the most important part of your SAT strategy, but it is important to think about! There are several things to consider when choosing your date to take the test.  But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves– first, let’s look at the SAT test dates…

In a landmark move that could reshape higher education across the nation, California has enacted legislation to ban legacy and donor admissions at private colleges, effective from the 2025 academic year. This bold decision is a significant stride toward reinstating meritocracy in American education—a principle that has been increasingly undermined by policies favoring the privileged. As someone deeply invested in leveling the educational playing field, I wholeheartedly support California’s decision.…

When you watch TV and somebody’s taking a test, it’s almost always stressful. You see them gripping their pencil, sweating as the ticking clock gets louder and louder. Virtually all academic tests have some sort of time limit, and the SAT is no different. But you don’t have to sit there stressed out about the clock. Instead, you can be cool and confident, completing the test with ease and maybe…

Here at Prep Expert, we’ve helped thousands of students improve their SAT and ACT scores and earn more than $100 million in scholarships. These students come from all kinds of backgrounds and academic situations. No matter where you go to school or what kind of student you are, you can improve your standardized test scores and your chances of getting into your dream school. When you’re just starting out with…

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against affirmative action, which prohibits universities from considering race in their admissions processes, elite institutions like MIT are experiencing the tangible effects of this landmark decision. MIT recently announced how the ruling has impacted their undergraduate admissions process. The Class of 2028 saw a significant drop in the percentage of underrepresented minority students, shrinking from 25% in previous years to…

The recent revelations about UCLA’s medical school underscore a troubling trend in American education and employment: the shift away from meritocracy. As a staunch advocate for merit-based systems, I find the situation at UCLA particularly alarming. It serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when meritocracy is sidelined in favor of other considerations. The Core Issue: A Departure from Meritocracy At its essence, meritocracy is about recognizing and rewarding…

https://vimeo.com/1005332951 Times have recently been turbulent for standardized testing! Between testing requirements being dropped in the wake of the pandemic, then testing requirements being readopted, standardized tests have seen quite a bit of shake-up. Both the SAT and ACT have undergone significant changes and will be continuing to change in the future. Today, we’re going to look at changes to the ACT and see just how and when those changes…