Homeschooling gives families more freedom to design learning experiences that reflect their values and goals. It can provide an academic challenge for the kids who need it, and a more accessible learning experience for students who need a more flexible environment. Yet that flexibility sometimes raises questions about standardized testing, especially the SAT and other standardized tests. For many homeschool students, the SAT is an important bridge between home-based education…

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,…

SHARK TANK – “Episode 716” – A college student from Las Vegas, NV who earned a perfect SAT score wants to expand his business to help others increase their test scores, but can he deliver a perfect pitch to the Sharks? Husband and wife exercise enthusiasts from Jenison, MI believe they have created the ideal sports bra that women have long been looking for; two millennials from Denver, CO want…

Choosing between the importance of GPA and SAT scores can feel like a circus act; knowing how to juggle everyone’s expectations of you and the demands of your target colleges and your high school can be extremely challenging. Some students think that they can focus on one thing– just their GPA or just their test scores– and be ok if one of them is high enough for their colleges of…

In the past, students choosing between the SAT and the ACT had to factor in different question types, essay requirements, and even regional preferences. Now that both tests have gone digital, many of the old distinctions have shifted or disappeared entirely. But that doesn’t mean the SAT and ACT are identical. In fact, as testing organizations have embraced adaptive technology and redesigned their formats, key differences have emerged. Whether you’re…

If you’re a high school student in the US today, you’ve been taking standardized tests since you were in the third grade. Maybe you sometimes have nightmares about Scantron bubbles; maybe you relish finishing early and getting extra quiet reading time. However you feel about standardized testing, these tests are a big part of how both the American education system and the college admissions systems work. But these tests are…

If you want to be an expert at anything, you need to know your subject inside and out. If you want to be a doctor, you have to know everything about human anatomy, from the Achilles tendon to the zygomatic arch. A chef doesn’t just follow recipes; they understand flavor profiles, ingredient interactions, and cooking techniques. No matter the field, deep knowledge is what transforms someone from a beginner into…

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…

If you’re planning on taking the SAT this year, it’s time to start studying. For many students, that means buying the official SAT prep book, working through it, and hoping for the best. For some of them, this works… but for many, it’s actually quite ineffective. And that’s not for you. You aren’t going to settle for an ineffective study plan! If you’re here, that shows you’re already being proactive…

The ACT is growing in popularity; last year, about 1.4 million high school students took the test, and more are taking it each year. While the SAT is still more popular (with about 1.97 million students taking it), more and more students are turning to the ACT due to the differences in format and question priorities. And many students take both the ACT and the SAT to boost their chances…