College applications can feel like a numbers game, but don’t count yourself out if things aren’t adding up! When it comes to the SAT, the test is definitely greater than the sum of its parts… but understanding how those parts work is important. Like all standardized tests, getting a top score on the SAT is about more than just basic knowledge; it’s about strategy! And no strategy is complete without…

Have you ever heard of an adaptive test before? Knowing that the SAT is adaptive, without knowing what goes into an adaptive test, can be a little… unsettling for some students. A test that gets easier or harder as you take it? How does that work? How is that fair? Today, we’re going to take a deep dive into what an adaptive test really is, and why you don’t need…

Have you ever watched a quiz show, like Jeopardy, and wondered why some contestants just don’t seem to get any questions? It’s not always because they don’t know the answer- it’s because their buzzer skills are lacking. Maybe they buzz in too fast, or maybe they’re too slow. Whatever it is, they struggle- and it’s not for lack of knowledge, it’s for lack of skill.  You can think about the…

When colleges brag about their students’ high SAT scores, you usually see it expressed as a big number or as a percentile. Not percentage– percentile. And while you probably know that you want to be in a high percentile, the odds are good that you don’t actually know what that means. And that makes total sense, because we basically only ever talk about percentiles when we’re talking about test scores…

Most students know that their SAT and ACT scores have a big impact on where they can get into college. But what isn’t as well-understood is whether those scores can predict how well a student will actually do once they arrive on campus. Looking at the research shows that there isn’t an easy answer to this question. SAT and ACT scores do have predictive value, especially for first-year grades, but…

Studying for the SAT is all about strategy– and that even includes the way you think about starting your test prep. You can be your class’s valedictorian and still struggle on the SAT if you don’t think about strategy and plan.  And if you’re here, reading the PrepExpert® blog, then you’re probably already thinking about developing your strategy. You’re ready to start studying… but is it time? That all depends…

If you feel like math is hard, you’re not alone. Nearly 1 in 3 high school students say that they don’t feel like a “math person,” and about 25% more say that while math used to be fine, they no longer feel comfortable with the subject. But you don’t have to be a Leonhard Euler or Paul Erdős to do well on the SAT’s math questions! How well you do…

Did you know that the SAT used to have its own science test? In fact, the SAT used to have several optional subject tests, including tests in literature, foreign languages, advanced math– and yes, science. But as of 2021, these tests are gone, and it doesn’t look like they’re coming back. But that doesn’t mean there’s no science on the SAT. A knowledge of science– specifically how to interpret scientific…

Almost 85% of high school students have used AI for coursework– a statistic that has a lot of educators deeply concerned, because not every student (and realistically, probably most students) are not using it to further their learning. When you ask ChatGPT to generate an essay, it certainly generates an essay… but you didn’t write it. You didn’t get anything out of it, you didn’t learn the mechanics of English,…

As more colleges remain test optional, students often assume standardized test scores no longer matter for scholarships– but that’s a dangerous assumption to make. While fewer schools require the SAT for admission than in the past, many still use submitted scores to award merit aid. In 2026, a strong SAT score can continue to make a real difference in how much you pay for college. And that means a lot–…