Category: Test Prep
How to Pace Yourself on the ACT and SAT
Join IvyWise college admissions and test prep experts to learn about important changes in standardized testing, including:
Many selective universities, including Brown, Caltech, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Yale, will be returning to requiring test scores for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle Others, including Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford, will reinstate the requirement for the 2025-2026 cycle The Digital SAT is now being offered both in the U.S. and abroad The ACT recently announced changes to its test format and length Watch nowThe SAT and ACT are the most often used exams for college admissions in the U.S., and given that they are standardized, they must be taken under strict time constraints. Students can struggle with the limited amount of time per question, leaving points on the table when they’re unable to finish certain sections. Simple pacing strategies, however, can help students improve their test performance and overall scores.
The SAT and ACT, rather than strictly measuring aptitude or knowledge, are essentially set up to also gauge how well students perform under pressure and implement test-taking strategies. Each section on
PSAT Math Test Explained: Key Areas and Question Types
The Preliminary SAT (PSAT), also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT), is an important standardized exam for high school students, typically taken in the 10th or 11th grade. The PSAT Math test assesses your proficiency in mathematical reasoning, problem solving, and critical thinking. A strong performance on the math section not only reflects a solid foundation in math skills but can also help you qualify for scholarships and prepare for future college admissions tests such as the SAT.
Test Score Submit Rates for the Class of 2027
The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the way higher education institutions review applications, with many colleges choosing to adopt a test-optional application review process. However, with record-breaking applicant pools and record-low admit rates, families are worried that test-optional may not really mean test-optional at all. Here is what we know, so far.
IB vs. AP: Which Is Best for College Admissions?
For high school students looking to make the most of their courses, choosing between an International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum is often a top priority. While both choices are academically rigorous and can lead to college credit, there are also profound differences between the two programs.
Test Prep 101: What You Need to Know About the LSAT
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is an important part of the admissions process for aspiring law students. Designed to assess the critical skills necessary for success in law school, the LSAT evaluates reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and persuasive writing skills. Beginning in August 2024, law school hopefuls will see a change in the exam’s format. If you’re preparing to take the LSAT during the 2024-25 testing cycle, here’s what you need to know.
The SAT Math Test: Everything You Need to Know
The standardized testing landscape has dramatically transformed over the past few years. While the majority of colleges and universities operated under test-optional or test-blind policies for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, some colleges, like Dartmouth and Yale, will be returning to requiring test scores for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. Join an IvyWise college admissions counselor and tutor to learn about what changes to the SAT mean for the college admissions landscape.
Watch now Does the thought of taking the SAT Math test intimidate you? If so, you’re not alone. Even students who do well in their high school math classes may feel anxious about the Math Section of the SAT. It’s important to keep in mind that you likely have already learned the math concepts that are on the test — it’s the presentation of these questions that may look different. Learning the structure of the SAT Math test and what concepts you will be tested on can help you plan your test prep strategy and feel more confident on exam day.What Is Superscoring and Which Colleges Superscore the SAT and ACT?
For students who submit standardized test scores during the college admission process, superscoring offers a strategic advantage in showcasing their academic abilities. But what is superscoring and how does it work? Let’s take a deep dive into superscore policies and how they can enhance your college application.
A List of Testing Policies by School
The COVID-19 pandemic brought on numerous changes within the standardized testing industry, including the introduction of a new, entirely digital testing format and many colleges shifting to a test-optional admissions process for the 2020-21 admissions cycle.
ACT and SAT Test Prep Resources
February 10 will be here before we know it — the first ACT test date for 2024. And for U.S. students, the digital SAT makes its debut on March 9. At IvyWise, we advise students to start preparing for these tests early and to take multiple, timed practice tests in the weeks leading up to the actual testing date.
Staying Up Late to Study Hurts Students More Than It Helps
For many high school students balancing standardized tests, school projects, assignments and extracurriculars, it may seem like there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done. As a result, many students are staying up late to study. According to a 2015 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about seven out of 10 high school students aren’t getting enough sleep. In fact, Stanford Medicine refers to teen sleep deprivation as an epidemic.
Independent School Admissions: ISEE vs. SSAT
For students and families who are interested in the private school application process, there are generally two major tests on their radar: the ISEE and the SSAT. While both exams have a lot in common, there are also some distinct differences between the tests that students should keep in mind.
What Is a Good SAT Score?
The SAT may have changed a lot in recent years, including going digital-only for international students in 2023 and for the U.S. in 2024. But one thing hasn’t changed — a good SAT score will help you gain acceptance into the schools on your college list, even if they’re test-optional. Of course, standardized test scores are just one component of a strong college application, but they help provide a more comprehensive picture of your college readiness. If you’re preparing to take the SAT, keep reading to learn more about how the score is broken down, what’s considered a good score, and what the score range is for the middle 50% of enrolled students at some of the top universities in the U.S.
SAT to ACT Score Conversion Chart
Want to see how your scores on the SAT compare to ACT? The College Board provides concordance tables so students and educators can see how SAT total scores compare to composite ACT scores. You can also use the SAT score conversion chart below if you’ve completed both tests and want to determine which score is better to submit to colleges. These tables
Why SAT and ACT Scores Still Matter as Test-Optional Choices Rise
In the past several years, testing policies have varied wildly across the U.S. admissions landscape. While it was once a given that applicants would submit their test scores with their college applications, students now may be wondering whether it is still worthwhile to take the ACT or SAT exam. Keep reading to find out why it is in many applicants’ best interest to submit a standardized test score — even if the school does not require it.
Test-Optional Doesn’t Mean Test-BlindWhile it is true that a fair number of schools have retained test-optional admissions for the upcoming application cycle, that doesn’t equate with being completely blind to applicants’ test scores. Instead, the role that SAT or ACT scores play in a student’s chance of admission has evolved: while scores are no longer a requirement at many colleges, that doesn’t mean that they won’t have an impact on students’ admissions odds. In fact, admissions officers are likely to look favorably upon applicants with compelling SAT or ACT scores. SAT and ACT scores that fall within or above your best-fit colleges’ desired score range will continue to
Which AP and IB Courses Count for College Credit and How?
Taking AP or IB courses doesn’t just look good from a college admissions perspective—these classes can also translate into college credit once a student enrolls. While policies vary by college, many universities will grant college credits that go towards specific course requirements, in turn allowing students to free up some room in their schedules. Even if AP and IB courses are only applied towards a student’s overall credit count, completing advanced classes is a great way to get a jump start on college.
Test Prep Tips for the ACT and SAT
When preparing for the ACT or SAT it’s important to develop an effective test prep strategy. From selecting the right test to setting score goals and creating a testing timeline, a good test prep plan can make all the difference in students’ performance on the ACT or SAT. Here are some test prep tips to help students prepare for the SAT or ACT.
Test-Taking Strategies: How to Ace the College Test Prep
Exams like the SAT, ACT, PSAT and AP tests can all seem overwhelming at first. Being asked to complete an academic assessment is already stressful, and it’s even more challenging to perform well under timed conditions when the stakes are high.
The good news is that it’s possible to put most of your test-taking anxieties at ease and ace your college test prep. The secret to performing your best is taking advantage of tried-and-true test-taking strategies that will set every student up for success.
What to Know About AP Subject Tests
An Overview for Students Who Are Interested in AP Subject Tests
AP Subject Tests are likely to be a part of many students’ high school experience as students take advanced courses in order to boost their course rigor. These exams can be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your expertise in a subject that you are passionate about and maybe even earn some college credit.
ACT Superscoring: Colleges that Superscore the ACT
Here are the Colleges that Superscore the ACT
Superscoring is the practice of considering only the highest section scores across all SAT or ACT test scores that are submitted when evaluating applications. Many schools already superscore for the SAT, but superscoring for the ACT has not always been widely practiced.
Tips for Boosting Your TOEFL Score
By an IvyWise Master Tutor
For many international students, taking the TOEFL exam is one of many steps on their radar for the U.S. college admissions process. Many colleges do require TOEFL scores as part of their international application review process, so it’s important to do your research and see what the policy is at every school on your best-fit list.
How to Set Test Prep Goals for 2020
Get a Head Start on Planning for the New Year
With the new year right around the corner, now’s the time to start thinking about your test prep goals for 2020. Whether you’re a freshman who is just beginning to think about college, a sophomore gearing up to start test prep, or a junior who is already in the thick of it, there are concrete steps that you can take in 2020 to get closer to achieving your test prep goals.
