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IvyWise counselors Nat and Eric offer advice on when and how students should start planning for standardized testing and discuss the important distinction between test-optional' and 'test-blind' on the college admissions podcast, giving listeners expert insight from former admissions officers. Listen Now! According to NACAC, 58.

Do you dream about sinking that winning buzzer shot in the Sweet Sixteen tournament? How about celebrating New Year's Day with a touchdown at the Rose Bowl? While nearly 60 percent of U.

With an increasing number of new technologies and an expanding global population, self-studying is on the rise. Education is no longer confined to just the classroom, and some would argue that the classroom model is outdated and does not meet the intellectual needs of individuals in such an interconnected society. Being an autodidact, or self-teacher, has become increasingly feasible due to MOOCs (massive open online courses), Internet encyclopedias, and more colleges and universities offering courses online.

Setting academic and college prep goals now is a great way to get students excited about their college prep and alleviate some of the stress commonly associated with planning for college. While it may not be time to apply to college yet, starting to think about academic and college prep goals now will make it easier for students to identify solid goals by the time application season rolls around. It will also allow them to relax over any upcoming breaks, rather than stressing about what they need to accomplish before school is back in session.

For many high school students, spring semester means standardized test season. Like it or not, these tests are a big component of college applications, and while a perfect score alone won’t get you into your dream college, it is important to do well on these tests in order to have the greatest chance of admission. With changes coming to both the SAT and ACT within the next year, it’s crucial for current sophomores and juniors to know what to expect and how to prepare.

While it can be tempting to simply count down the days until summer break, spring semester is a prime time for high school underclassmen to prepare for the college admissions process, and for college-bound seniors to close out the year on a high note. Believe it or not, seniors, you are not off the hook just yet! Here are some tips for high school students to ensure a productive and successful spring semester.

Online instruction has been growing in popularity over the years because it can connect people from all over the world – and right now it’s necessary as students continue their studies after school closures due to the current coronavirus pandemic. As students connect to instructors online, the demand for virtual tutoring and test prep is growing. But is it effective?

IvyWise counselors Christine, Nat, and Eric discuss how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting higher ed and how the Class of 2021 can navigate the altered application cycle this semester on the college admissions podcast, giving listeners expert insight from former admissions officers. Listen Now! It has been well over a year since the pandemic's onset and information and responses are still continuing to evolve.

In my last article, I discussed a process for how to effectively and efficiently read through the Reading Comprehension passages on the SAT and ACT. Now, we’re going to take a look at how students should approach answering the actual questions within these sections. Always remember this: Reading Comprehension is ultimately an open-book test.

Every year, another group of students prepares for a fresh cycle of test prep, each with their own set of strengths and weaknesses. One of the most difficult (and time consuming) parts of the SAT and ACT is getting through the reading comprehension passages efficiently and effectively. I’m here to give you some tips on how to conquer the reading passages on the SAT and ACT.

Summer SAT Prep: Effective Tips & Strategies for Success The summer is an important time for college prep, and students should be spending it wisely. Spending your summer solely preparing for the ACT or SAT is not impactful in terms of strengthening your application, but interspersing some test prep in between your regular summer activities can go a long way toward helping you reach your goal score. For students taking a challenging course load, the school year doesn’t offer many opportunities to squeeze in additional test prep.

The SAT and ACT Math sections can be intimidating for many students – even those who do very well in their high school mathematics classes. However, the reality is that both the SAT and ACT test math concepts that high school juniors have typically already covered in their high school math courses. So, in some cases, it’s not the material that students struggle with, but how the questions are presented on the exams – which differs greatly from what is traditionally tested on high school math exams.

When preparing for the SAT or ACT it’s important to understand all the nuances of each exam, including the sections, content, question types, and more. Even though the essay is optional on both exams, many colleges still require an SAT or ACT essay or writing score in order to be considered for admission. Before preparing for the SAT or ACT essay, make sure you know what to expect on each.

If you’re not already preparing for the SAT or ACT, now’s the time to get started! The spring semester is a popular testing time, and high school sophomores and juniors need to have a plan in order to prepare for these important college admission exams. An excellent SAT or ACT score is not a guarantee of admission, but it can be the difference between the “maybe” and the “no” pile when admissions officers are reviewing applications.

IvyWise KnowledgeBase IvyWise Newsletter Applying to US universities as an international student can be a daunting process, and the pressure surrounding college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT can cause additional anxiety. As an international applicant the stakes are high, with some of the US’s most elite colleges posting extremely low international admission rates. Test scores, while not enough to gain admission alone, are critical pieces of the college application process, and international applicants need to understand how to make the most of their test prep.

It’s test prep season for high school juniors, and many will start preparing for the SAT or ACT this fall in anticipation of spring exam administrations. This year saw a lot of changes to the SAT, and for students just becoming familiar with the new exam there are a number of test prep tips to keep in mind that are very different from strategies promoted for the old test. For those just beginning to consider test preparation, it’s important to remember that a perfect SAT or ACT score alone won’t gain admission to a top-choice college, but great scores are necessary in order to be competitive in the highly-selective college admissions process.

For international students preparing to apply to US universities there’s a lot to consider – from the holistic admissions process, to other things like visa requirements and tuition costs – but one thing that many students overseas recognize the importance of is college entrance exams, specifically the SAT. However, this isn’t the only test that international students need to consider when applying to US universities. While college entrance exams such as the SAT or ACT are required for all applicants at many US colleges and universities, there can be additional tests that are either required or suggested, and some of these apply specifically to international applicants.

While the concept can be intimidating, standardized testing doesn’t have to be an ordeal. As a student, you have a variety of options. Though the SAT has traditionally been the most widely-used test, students are no longer required to take it.

With many students juggling school work, extracurricular activities, and other commitments, it’s easy for some to put off the SAT or ACT and hope for a good score the first time around. Just like with college applications, there’s a lot of preparation and planning that should go into standardized testing. Test prep is a critical piece of the college admissions puzzle, as it can greatly increase students’ chances of acceptance to their top-choice colleges.

By Meg, IvyWise Premier College Counselor People of all ages and backgrounds love to complain about the SAT. The New York Times Magazine recently published an article by Todd Balf about the College Board's recent announcement that they plan to overhaul the test. The article begins: The SAT Is Hated By: A) Stressed-out students B) Frustrated Educators C) Hamstrung Admissions Officers D) Anxious Parents E) All of the Above You know the answer.