Many students take the ACT for the first time during junior year, often in the winter or spring. It is common not to reach your target score on the first attempt, and many students improve after retaking the test with a more focused preparation plan. Rather than taking the ACT repeatedly without a strategy, students…
College entrance examinations have existed for decades. The SAT, first administered by the College Board in 1926, has since undergone numerous changes to its content, duration, and scoring. Its popular counterpart, the ACT, was first introduced in 1959 and has also changed significantly over the years. Do colleges care which exam I take? Good news…
The short answer is No. In most cases, colleges do not prefer the SAT over the ACT or vice versa. Virtually all U.S. colleges accept both exams, and admissions committees evaluate them equally. Students should choose the test that best reflects their academic strengths. However, standardized testing policies have evolved significantly in recent years.During the…
Test Optional. A phrase that, ever since its rise to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic, has left many students feeling nervous and confused. In 2025, Test Optional isn’t a new term. High school counselors and admissions officers alike are regularly having conversations with students around the world, educating them on what exactly Test Optional…
Do you have a test coming up? A paper due? A big presentation, perhaps? No matter what you have on your plate, developing good study habits can be the foundation you need to succeed. The five helpful tips in this article focus on a variety of areas related to your learning. Utilize one, two, or…
In the world of college admissions, there are nearly infinite methods and rubrics that universities use to evaluate applications. While the review process is holistic, considering academics, extracurricular activities, and more, many schools feel the need for a universal measure or evaluation tool. Is an ‘A’ at your high school equivalent to an ‘A’ at…
One of the most common questions higher education professionals receive is, “How can I improve my college application in a very competitive and saturated academic environment?” The application process can often seem overwhelming and clouded in mystery but there are some very clear steps you can take to show yourself in the best light during…
What you need to know about the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) – updated to include the structural changes implemented in August 2024. The LSAT is the test required for admission to every law school in the United States. It is a time-intensive test consisting of four sections of multiple-choice questions: Logical Reasoning (2 sections),…
Faculty Frustration with High School Curricula Having spent the majority of my career in enrollment management positions, the question of standardized testing’s impact on college admissions arises more frequently than you might expect. Collegiate faculty often express frustration with high school curricula, particularly the lack of courses that encourage students to think critically or synthesize…
Debunking the myths To submit testing, or not to submit testing, that is the question on every student’s mind, but how much do colleges even care about standardized scores? Even though most colleges today use a holistic review that considers various factors to determine admission, standardized testing is often still considered to be the greatest…