Category: Test Prep

Test Score Submit Rates for the Class of 2027

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

High school students prepare to take the digital SAT on school computers

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.  

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A List of Testing Policies by School

Friday, February 16, 2024

High School Students Taking Test In Classroom

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.

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ACT and SAT Test Prep Resources

Thursday, January 4, 2024

High school student uses a laptop to research college options and build her college list.

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. 

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Staying Up Late to Study Hurts Students More Than It Helps

Monday, November 6, 2023

 

Handsome curly-haired tired young guy student at home, nerd, wearing casual, glasses, sleeping, face and hands on books

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. 

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Independent School Admissions: ISEE vs. SSAT

Saturday, October 21, 2023

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.

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What Is a Good SAT Score?

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Hero-Partnerships

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.

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SAT to ACT Score Conversion Chart

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Thoughtful hispanic female sit at home workplace hold financial documents look on pc screen check data. Serious young woman think on business offer compare terms conditions in paper letters and online

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

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Why SAT and ACT Scores Still Matter as Test-Optional Choices Rise

Friday, May 12, 2023

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-Blind

While 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

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Which AP and IB Courses Count for College Credit and How?

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

A group of high school students on their way to AP and IB courses to earn college credit.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.

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Test Prep Tips for the ACT and SAT

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

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.

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Test-Taking Strategies: How to Ace the College Test Prep

Monday, December 20, 2021

Test-Taking Strategies

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.

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What to Know About AP Subject Tests

Monday, November 23, 2020
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.

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IB vs. AP: Which Is Best for College Admissions?

Monday, August 10, 2020
University student wearing spectacles studying in library. Young african man taking notes from book while sitting in the library. Focused casual guy writing notes during homework.

For high school students looking to make the most of their courses, choosing between an International Baccalaureate (IB) and 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. 

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ACT Superscoring: Colleges that Superscore the ACT

Thursday, June 25, 2020

What to Do the Morning of the SAT ACTHere 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.

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Tips for Boosting Your TOEFL Score

Monday, June 15, 2020
Tips for Boosting Your TOEFL Score

By Joey, IvyWise 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.

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How to Set Test Prep Goals for 2020

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Get a Head Start on Planning for the New Year

2020 college prep goals 600x260

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.

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Colleges That Don’t Honor Score Choice

Monday, August 26, 2019

AdobeStock_146574132Learn How Score Choice Works and Which Schools Honor It

For high school students navigating the college application process, the back-to-school season is about a lot more than starting new classes. In addition to coursework, many students are preparing all of the components of their college applications, including submitting test scores.

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What’s Covered on the PSAT Math Test?

Monday, August 12, 2019
What to Study for the PSAT MathEvery Math Component Students Need to Review Before the PSAT

With the PSAT just around the corner, now is the time to hone your mathematical skills so you are up-to-date on what’s being asked on the exam. Whether you consider yourself a numbers person or not, it’s a good idea to go into the exam with these top PSAT tips.

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Understanding AP Exam Scores

Friday, July 5, 2019

Understanding AP Exam ScoresHere’s What Each AP Score Means

By Seamus, IvyWise Master Tutor

The first AP Exam scores are available today, and will continue to be released over the next few days. This is an exciting time for students who are eager to learn their results, but what exactly do these scores mean?

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What’s on the SAT?

Monday, May 20, 2019

What's on the SATLearn About Every Kind of Question You Can Expect on the SAT

Performing well on standardized tests is about so much more than thinking quickly and bubbling in the answers. In order to really excel on exams, it is important to have a thorough understanding of exactly what the test will cover and review accordingly.

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