Podcasts about sat subject tests

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Kate Fisher, who grew up in Englewood, NJ, and graduated cum laude from Horace Mann School, where she remains an active part of the community and is a member of the Alumni Council. Private tutoring is not Kate's side hustle; rather, she deliberately chose to pursue it as a full-time career because she loves teaching and values cultivating genuine and impactful relationships with her students and their families beyond the boundaries so often required by traditional academic and classroom environments. Kate is an energetic and patient tutor (and cheerleader!) who is able to quickly and effectively accommodate her students' needs. Her tutoring is creative and adaptive, providing her students with the support and skills they need to achieve their goals. Kate has worked with thousands of students during her career as a full-time tutor, which she began as an undergraduate in 2008. As a part-time teacher at Kaplan Test Prep, she taught ACT, SAT, and SHSAT in both in-person and online classrooms. By 2010, Kate expanded her tutoring repertoire to include both the ISEE and SSAT, as well as various AP exams, SAT Subject Tests, and high school and college admissions consulting. She spent 2013 as a full-time instructor, teaching classes and tutoring students throughout the tristate area. In addition to training part-time tutors and developing teaching materials, Kate taught and tutored low-income students through her involvement in partnerships with the NYC Department of Education. In 2014, Kate was promoted to manager of content and curriculum, spearheading product and course revisions for the 2015 PSAT and 2016 SAT test changes. After returning to tutoring full-time, Kate joined an elite, boutique firm in 2016 and quickly became one of their most requested tutors. From 2020 to 2022, Kate joined the company full-time and was not only the top-grossing tutor but also served as Director of School Partnerships and trained other tutors to work with neurodiverse students. Kate also singlehandedly wrote the company's e-book on Executive Function during this period.  Kate is well positioned to help students with a wide variety of learning differences. In addition to her extensive experience as a tutor, she is a lifelong activist for the Autism community, and has been volunteering with children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder since her childhood. Kate holds a Professional Certificate in Learning Differences (LD) and Neurodiversity with a Specialization in Executive Function through the Landmark College Institute for Research & Training. In early 2023, Kate recruited an elite team of like minded tutors and founded Kate Fisher Tutoring (KFT) because she believes that one-on-one tutoring can transform students' lives and their relationships with learning. KFT focuses on effectively connecting families to top private educators who help their children efficiently meet—and exceed—their goals. KFT prides itself on organic growth generated through word-of-mouth referrals based on the success of the work Kate and her team do whether EF coaching, test prep, or academic support and enrichment. Find Kate at katefishertutoring.com. ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.

In this episode, Lisa and David discuss:Understanding how colleges use ACT and SAT scores in admissions.Breaking down common myths about test scores and test-optional admissions.How grade inflation impacts your teen's GPA and admissions chances.The latest policies for ACT, SAT, AP, and IB exams. How much focus and time your teen should commit to test preparation. Key Takeaways: ACT scores are at a historical low. Currently, a score of 18 is the 50th percentile.Test scores are more predictive of success in college than the high school grades.In the absence of SAT Subject Tests, and especially when a school wants to be test-flexible, they're using AP exam scores more in admissions. For example, the University of California (UC) schools call themselves ACT and SAT test-free, but they do use AP and IB exam scores in their admissions process. In general, if admissions officers see an AP class on your teen's transcript, they will want to see an AP exam score to go with it.  “My best advice would be to try and learn the topics and skills that are most useful for succeeding in high school, in college, and beyond. And SAT and ACT scores are honestly a very good measure of how prepared a student is on that content.” – David BlobaumAbout David Blobaum: David Blobaum is a nationally recognized expert on standardizedexams and college admissions. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago and has devoted himself to helping students reach their potential on the SAT and ACT and, more broadly, to help them succeed through education. In addition to leading Summit Prep, he is on the Board of Directors for the National Test Prep Association and serves as its Director of Outreach to help highlight how academic standards can help students, schools, and society.Episode References:Common Data Set Video: https://flourishcoachingco.com/cds #060 Say Goodbye to the Paper SAT Test#072 Summer is the Key to Academic Success with David Blobaum#100 Can You Really Trust What Colleges Say Matters in Admission? with Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski, David Blobaum, and Becky PriestGet Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). flourishcoachingco.com/video  Connect with David:Website: https://summitprep.com/ Website: https://davidblobaum.com/ Twitter: https://x.com/SummitPrep_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summit_prep/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.comConnect with Lisa:Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingcoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

Advanced Placement courses have set the standard for accelerated subject studies in many high schools, but next year's offerings may look very different from what teachers and students are used to. Amy and Mike invited educator John Moscatiello to explain the big changes–both in testing platforms and course options–in AP tests in 2025. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why did the College Board revise the scoring of AP tests? How has the College Board recalibrated AP test scores?  What new AP tests will be available in the 2024-2025 school year? How is digital testing affecting AP testing? Which tests? What potential changes could be on the horizon for the AP program? John Moscatiello has been a leader in the education space for the past two decades. His career began at the Princeton Review, where he taught the SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, AP Exams, ISEE, SSAT, SHSAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT Verbal, and TOEFL. At the Princeton Review, John went on to train hundreds of teachers, write content for 13 test preparation books, and work as a college admissions consultant. In his capacity as the National Director of Tutoring from 2007 and 2009, John managed thousands of teachers and tutors, supporting them with online professional development and the creation of an online community. From 2015 to 2016, John starred in more than 200 educational videos for the Princeton Review's SAT, ACT, and GRE self-paced courses. John's academic career began as a Spanish major at New York University, where he realized the value of the AP Program by using credits to graduate a full year early. He then pursued graduate degrees in history from Fordham University and the University of Notre Dame, where he won awards for his undergraduate teaching. He was a Fulbright scholar to Spain in 2012 and worked at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) in Madrid. John's academic research has been published in both English and Spanish. He currently teaches part-time at a private high school in Princeton, New Jersey. John has supported thousands of students by building and implementing programs for underserved communities through the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation, TEAK Fellowship, NYC Service, Corporate and Social Responsibility at Proskauer Rose LLP, and the Aga Khan Development Network. John's tutoring and NGO work has taken him to more than 10 states and 25 countries around the world, especially in Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and East Africa. In 2018, John founded Marco Learning in order to address the lack of high-quality AP resources and to better support AP teachers and their students. John previously appeared on this podcast in episode 241 to discuss The Future Of AP Exams and episode 448 to discuss Controversies Around New AP Programs. Find John at https://marcolearning.com. LINKS Advanced Placement Program AP Score Changes: 2024 The Great Recalibration of AP Exams RELATED EPISODES CHOOSING BETWEEN AP AND IB PROGRAMS HIGH SCHOOL COURSE SELECTION AND ACADEMIC RIGOR HOW IMPORTANT IS GPA IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS? ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.  

Politicians rarely weigh in on what students are taught in school and usually act from a non-academic agenda when they do. The announcements of new AP African American Studies and Precalculus courses have attracted far more negative attention than honors classes typically do. Why? Amy and Mike invited educator John Moscatiello to unpack the controversies around new Advanced Placement programs. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. Why is the College Board introducing AP African American Studies and Precalculus courses? 2. Why hasn't this announcement gone smoothly? 3. What is the controversy around the AP African American Studies course? 4. What is the controversy around the AP Precalculus course? 5. What should we expect for these courses in the near future? MEET OUR GUEST John Moscatiello has been a leader in the education space for the past two decades. His career began at the Princeton Review, where he taught the SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, AP Exams, ISEE, SSAT, SHSAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT Verbal, and TOEFL. At the Princeton Review, John went on to train hundreds of teachers, write content for 13 test preparation books, and work as a college admissions consultant. In his capacity as the National Director of Tutoring from 2007 and 2009, John managed thousands of teachers and tutors, supporting them with online professional development and the creation of an online community. From 2015 to 2016, John starred in more than 200 educational videos for the Princeton Review's SAT, ACT, and GRE self-paced courses. John's academic career began as a Spanish major at New York University, where he realized the value of the AP Program by using credits to graduate a full year early. He then pursued graduate degrees in history from Fordham University and the University of Notre Dame, where he won awards for his undergraduate teaching. He was a Fulbright scholar to Spain in 2012 and worked at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) in Madrid. John's academic research has been published in both English and Spanish. He currently teaches part-time at a private high school in Princeton, New Jersey. John has supported thousands of students by building and implementing programs for underserved communities through the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation, TEAK Fellowship, NYC Service, Corporate and Social Responsibility at Proskauer Rose LLP, and the Aga Khan Development Network. John's tutoring and NGO work has taken him to more than 10 states and 25 countries around the world, especially in Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and East Africa. In 2018, John founded Marco Learning in order to address the lack of high-quality AP resources and to better support AP teachers and their students. John previously appeared on this podcast in episode 241 to discuss The Future Of AP Exams. Find John at https://marcolearning.com. LINKS Advanced Placement Program Florida Officials Had Repeated Contact With College Board Over African American Studies RELATED EPISODES CHOOSING BETWEEN AP AND IB PROGRAMS HIGH SCHOOL COURSE SELECTION AND ACADEMIC RIGOR CHOOSING HIGH SCHOOL MATH COURSES STRATEGICALLY ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.  

College Board Will Discontinue the SAT Subject Tests in the US: What Does This Mean for You? On January 19, 2021, College Board announced the end of the SAT Subject Tests for students in the US. The optional SAT Essay test will also be discontinued after the June 2021 test administration. This is a potential game changing announcement in the world of standardized testing. This change will probably lead to some confusion and questions about their reasons for this radical change.

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Alice Humbracht. Alice is a premier tutor with over 16 years of full-time experience tutoring standardized tests.  She spent six years at The Princeton Review honing her skills, and then she started her own tutoring office in 2011. Alice specializes in ACT and SAT, but has helped students improve their scores on a variety of standardized tests including the ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, SAT Subject Tests, CSET, CBEST, AP Calculus, LSAT, DAT, ISEE, SSAT, PRAXIS, ASVAB, and others since early 2005. In short, if it's an acronym, Alice can tutor it! Alice teaches not only test content (math, reading, punctuation, grammar, essay writing, logic, etc.), but also test-taking strategies (pacing, calculator use, and what types of answers test writers prefer, to name a few). Find Alice at http://www.tutorwithalice.com/. ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.

Advanced Placement (AP) classes and exams set the standard for academic rigor for millions of high school students every year. Will this continue to be the case over the next few years? Amy and Mike invited educator John Moscatiello to help understand the future of AP exams. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the AP program, and why is it so important now? What challenges does the AP program face? Does taking a lot of AP exams help a college application?  What are the implications of the elimination of SAT Subject Tests for the AP program? How relevant are AP language classes and exams in college admissions? MEET OUR GUEST John Moscatiello has been a leader in the education space for the past two decades. His career began at the Princeton Review, where he taught the SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, AP Exams, ISEE, SSAT, SHSAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT Verbal, and TOEFL. At the Princeton Review, John went on to train hundreds of teachers, write content for 13 test preparation books, and work as a college admissions consultant. In his capacity as the National Director of Tutoring from 2007 and 2009, John managed thousands of teachers and tutors, supporting them with online professional development and the creation of an online community. From 2015 to 2016, John starred in more than 200 educational videos for the Princeton Review's SAT, ACT, and GRE self-paced courses. John's academic career began as a Spanish major at New York University, where he realized the value of the AP Program by using credits to graduate a full year early. He then pursued graduate degrees in history from Fordham University and the University of Notre Dame, where he won awards for his undergraduate teaching. He was a Fulbright scholar to Spain in 2012 and worked at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) in Madrid. John's academic research has been published in both English and Spanish. He currently teaches part-time at a private high school in Princeton, New Jersey. John has supported thousands of students by building and implementing programs for underserved communities through the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation, TEAK Fellowship, NYC Service, Corporate and Social Responsibility at Proskauer Rose LLP, and the Aga Khan Development Network. John's tutoring and NGO work has taken him to more than 10 states and 25 countries around the world, especially in Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and East Africa. In 2018, John founded Marco Learning in order to address the lack of high-quality AP resources and to better support AP teachers and their students. Find John at https://marcolearning.com/. LINKS The Ultimate Guide to the 2021 Digital AP® Exams Advanced Placement Program RELATED EPISODES CHOOSING BETWEEN AP AND IB PROGRAMS HIGH SCHOOL COURSE SELECTION AND ACADEMIC RIGOR CHOOSING HIGH SCHOOL MATH COURSES STRATEGICALLY ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Understanding What to Expect on the SAT, How to Practice, and How It Can Help with College Applications  GUEST:  Priscilla Rodriguez, Vice President, College Readiness Assessments, The College Board  Background Taking the SAT can be intimidating for students, but it doesn't have to be. The redesigned SAT was introduced in 2016 as an achievement test that measures the skills and knowledge that students are already learning in classrooms across the country.  Now, when students take the SAT, they can focus on showing their strengths: not on tricks and strategies. Eliminating these false barriers mean more students have an opportunity to put their best foot forward on the SAT. And taking the SAT provides tangible opportunities to students who are applying to college.  Did You Know? The SAT tests the material students learn in school and measures the skills most essential for college and career, including everyday vocabulary and the math that matters most. The new SAT removes “SAT words,” and math that isn't necessary for college work. The best way for students to practice for the SAT is to link their College Board account to Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy® to get a free, personalized practice plan based on their scores. Income-eligible students can take the SAT and the SAT Subject Tests, apply to college, send their scores, and apply for financial aid for as many colleges as they choose, all for free. Through the SAT, students can opt into Student Search Service, a free program that connects students with educational and financial aid opportunities from colleges, and to scholarships. Taking the SAT connects students to scholarships, including the new College Board Opportunity Scholarships program, where students can earn up to $2,000 for improving their SAT score.  The SAT is accepted everywhere. All colleges across the U.S. accept SAT scores for admissions.  Priscilla Rodriguez will describe the benefits of taking the SAT and how the test can help students with applying to college. SUGGESTED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS What should students expect on the SAT? How can students practice for the SAT? Colleges are going test-optional; why should students take the SAT? How does the SAT help students with college applications? What is the Student Search Service and what does it mean to opt-in?  About Priscilla Rodriguez Priscilla Rodriguez is the vice president of College Readiness Assessments at the College Board, where she leads the organization's programs and services related to the SAT Suite of Assessments, including the SAT and PSAT-related assessments. She previously spearheaded the development of the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program. Prior to joining the College Board, Priscilla was an SVP at the Poses Family Foundation, where she led the Webby-winning resource for parents of children with learning and attention issues, Understood.org. Priscilla is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Harvard Business School. 

Understanding What to Expect on the SAT, How to Practice, and How It Can Help with College Applications  GUEST:  Priscilla Rodriguez, Vice President, College Readiness Assessments, The College Board  Background Taking the SAT can be intimidating for students, but it doesn't have to be. The redesigned SAT was introduced in 2016 as an achievement test that measures the skills and knowledge that students are already learning in classrooms across the country.  Now, when students take the SAT, they can focus on showing their strengths: not on tricks and strategies. Eliminating these false barriers mean more students have an opportunity to put their best foot forward on the SAT. And taking the SAT provides tangible opportunities to students who are applying to college.  Did You Know? The SAT tests the material students learn in school and measures the skills most essential for college and career, including everyday vocabulary and the math that matters most. The new SAT removes “SAT words,” and math that isn't necessary for college work. The best way for students to practice for the SAT is to link their College Board account to Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy® to get a free, personalized practice plan based on their scores. Income-eligible students can take the SAT and the SAT Subject Tests, apply to college, send their scores, and apply for financial aid for as many colleges as they choose, all for free. Through the SAT, students can opt into Student Search Service, a free program that connects students with educational and financial aid opportunities from colleges, and to scholarships. Taking the SAT connects students to scholarships, including the new College Board Opportunity Scholarships program, where students can earn up to $2,000 for improving their SAT score.  The SAT is accepted everywhere. All colleges across the U.S. accept SAT scores for admissions.  Priscilla Rodriguez will describe the benefits of taking the SAT and how the test can help students with applying to college. SUGGESTED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS What should students expect on the SAT? How can students practice for the SAT? Colleges are going test-optional; why should students take the SAT? How does the SAT help students with college applications? What is the Student Search Service and what does it mean to opt-in?  About Priscilla Rodriguez Priscilla Rodriguez is the vice president of College Readiness Assessments at the College Board, where she leads the organization's programs and services related to the SAT Suite of Assessments, including the SAT and PSAT-related assessments. She previously spearheaded the development of the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program. Prior to joining the College Board, Priscilla was an SVP at the Poses Family Foundation, where she led the Webby-winning resource for parents of children with learning and attention issues, Understood.org. Priscilla is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Harvard Business School. 

Dwindling enrollment. Another look at the digital divide. Hybrid and totally remote learning. The pandemic has sent ripples through the education system in the United States, in many ways permanently changing how our nation's children learn. Amongst these change, how students are tested has been altered as well.rnrnAfter schools were shut down a year ago, several college and universities made submitting SAT and ACT test scores optional. Prior to the pandemic, there were 1,070 schools that were test-optional - one of whom was test-blind. That figure has jumped to nearly 1,700 and counting, with more than 70 considering themselves test-blind for enrollment this coming fall semester. The College Board, the non-profit organization with a mission of making higher education accessible for all, recently announced they are no longer offering the SAT Subject Tests and the essay. With standardized testing under more scrutiny than ever before, educators, parents and student are taking a deeper look at the organization and the history and legacy of testing in the U.S. The College Board nearly operates as a monopoly with more than $1 billion in annual revenue. In recent years, studies and data have found that that testing in general puts our nation's most vulnerable children at a socioeconomic disadvantage, leading to the College Board creating its controversial Adversity Index. In that same vein, opponents of say testing can actually give some kids an extra advantage.rnrnNow, some colleges are phasing out the test altogether or, in some cases, creating their own entrance exam as is the case with the University of California school system.rnrnThe effects of the pandemic aren't limited to college testing-high school and elementary school systems around the country are also taking another look at the benefits and shortcomings of standardized testing as well.rnrnIs standardized testing in the U.S. in jeopardy? How can doing away with testing altogether help or harm students? Join us for a City Club Youth forum to discuss standardized testing.rnrnThe livestream will be available beginning at 12:30 p.m. Have questions? Tweet them at @cityclubyouth or send a text to 330.541.5794.

Show Notes:In this episode, I discuss the ascendancy of AP classes and exams, and how to capitalize on their momentum. As more and more objective measures of student academic achievement get canceled, others are surging. Find out why AP classes and exams may be the last place to show your academic chops.Here is what I discuss in this episode:0:01:17 The growing challenge for college admissions 0:01:53 Bye, bye SAT/ACT requirements 0:02:30 SAT Subject Tests, gone 0:02:55 No more SAT "essay" 0:03:32 GPA now meaningless 0:05:52 Ascendancy of APs 0:07:35 AP exams are more important now 0:07:57 APs exams more important during pandemic 0:08:30 How is admissions dealing with this? 0:09:00 Not a good idea to skip AP exams anymore 0:09:25 Re-think your AP study strategies 0:09:42 Take all AP Exams? 0:10:12 Don't take May/June SAT/ACTs 0:11:32 How does this affect class selection? Follow us:Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on FacebookIf you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.  Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcastsFollow me on Instagram or FacebookGive us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing listEnroll your 9th or 10th grader in the programPodcast Host: PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc.Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes. 

#025 - This is a special and timely episode that will give you important information to help you manage your college admission path within the changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. You will understand how most college admissions departments are gearing up for the next academic year, the pressures that are guiding what they do, and the ways that can be used to give you an advantage. We also discuss whether you should take the SAT, which has been made optional for admission into most colleges and universities. We talk about the importance of requesting a Professional Judgement Review to receive more financial aid, what to do after you receive an acceptance and before you commit to a school, and the two plans you should have for the fall of 2021. Additionally, we will go over the most recent changes from The College Board, the disappearance of the Optional SAT Essay and the SAT Subject Tests. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/25. You can also help us a lot by writing a positive review for our show and leaving us a 5-star rating. That will help us reach out to more parents and students. Thank you!

Show Notes:SAT Subject Tests and the "essay" section of SAT have both been canceled - indefinitely. Find out what this means for students. Who are the winners and losers?Here is what I discuss in this episode:0:01:30 SAT Subject Tests canceled 0:02:00 The good news 0:03:07 History of SAT Subject Tests 0:05:36 Who is harmed? 0:08:40 Who may benefit? 0:10:20 But then again... 0:11:15 Using tests to demonstrate interest 0:12:50 AP Exams more important now 0:14:34 Activities more important now 0:15:15 More emphasis on SAT/ACT 0:15:30 Summary 0:16:45 No more SAT Essay Follow us:Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on FacebookIf you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.  Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcastsFollow me on Instagram or FacebookGive us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing listEnroll your 9th or 10th grader in the programPodcast Host: PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank (2X), etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes.

About Speaker: Vikram Shah is the Chief Business Officer at NoPaperForms. Vikram's primary responsibility is to lead the “Uniapply Business” in the school segment and ensure that we serve the School administrators and Parents across India. School admissions especially in India is a massive untapped opportunity and NPF is poised to lead a revolution there. Uniapply is a common application platform for school, which simplifies the school search, application, and enrolment process. Prior joining to NoPaperForms, Vikram was the Executive Director, South & Central Asia at The College Board. The College Board, a non-for-profit membership organization founded in New York in 1900, has been engaged in India for the last 50 years. Among other programs, The College Board is the owner of global entrance examinations such as the SAT, SAT Subject Tests and Advanced Placement (AP) tests. Vikram was responsible to lead College Board's new India office and on-the-groundwork related to the India Global Alliance, Outreach, Market Development and Relationship Management across South & Central Asia to drive strategic expansion of College Board programs in the region. Vikram spend nearly a decade at the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) where he was Director, Product Management. He played a pivotal role in establishing and growing GMAC's work in India. He brings deep expertise on international education with a strong focus on India, but also a diverse set of experiences that range from relationship development to setting strategy to developing new products. Vikram was the youngest Director on the Board of GMAC's subsidiary in India. Vikram's career spans over 18 years across many reputed organizations that includes GMAC, Citigroup and Fullerton Securities & Wealth Advisors Ltd (Temasek Holdings subsidiary in India) and he has managed various responsibilities across a spectrum of functions like Market Development, Sales, Product Development & Management, Customer Experience Management, Credit & Risk Management, Quality & Operational Excellence. Vikram has completed undergrad in accounting from St. Xaviers' College, Kolkata and Master's in Business Administration in Finance & Marketing from ICFAI Business School. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/future-school-leaders/message

#021 - Today, we analyze the first three of seven steps that high school sophomores should take to build a strong college application. We will go over the importance of grades and ways students can earn a grade point average above 4.0. You will learn about the first three items that all college admission officers look at in each application to decide whether a student should continue in the selection process. You will also uncover the story that your grades tell about your kid and the one thing no college or university wants to see in an applicant. At the beginning of the episode I share my communication with my son's high school guidance counselor. You will be amazed at how easy it is to ensure your kid is enrolled in the right courses as a college-bound student. You will also learn about the 4 things students should do during each year of high school to ensure they maximize their college preparation. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/21. You can help us a lot by writing a great review for our show and leaving us a 5-star rating. In doing so, you will make it easier for other parents to find our show. Thank you!

#020 - This episode is the first in a series that will take you through all the steps your kid should take during each year of high school, to build a strong college application in all areas, and maximize the chances for admission. The freshman year is a very important one. College admission officers look at what each student has accomplished during all the years of high school, not just the junior and senior years. We will go through a combination of 11 very important steps and things you should keep in mind to make sure your kid begins to build the portions of the college application that begin during the freshman year, strongly. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://collegemetropolis.com/20. You can help us a lot by writing a great review for our show and leaving us a 5-star rating. In doing so, you will make it easier for other parents to find our show. Thank you!

Show Notes:In today’s episode, I rip through answers to 20 of the most common questions I’ve received during my 1-on-1 Office Hour sessions with PrepWellers and their parents. I’m hoping that answers to these common questions will help even more people.  Here is what I discuss in this episode:0:01:30 Will I be able to take an SAT this fall? 0:02:30 Does Test-Optional mean skip the SAT?0:03:30 How will colleges treat my grades this year?0:04:30 My summer plans were canceled. Now what?0:05:09 What impact will COVID have on financial aid?0:06:06 What if our financial status has changed? 0:07:10 How do I stand out while confined at home?0:07:51 Will more deferrals increase competition next year? 0:09:00 How do I get recruited during the shutdown?0:09:55 Our finances are a mess. Should I re-think college?0:11:00 I’m a freshman. Should I be worried?0:11:58 Should I take the May or June APs?0:12:25 Should I bother with SAT Subject Tests?0:13:37 How will I be assessed without an SAT and a questionable GPA?0:14:25 Easier or harder to get into test-optional college?0:15:20 Long-term consequences for higher education0:16:15 Should I consider community colleges now?0:16:44 Will colleges be back in session in September?0:17:36 How will new SAT dates affect Class of 2022?0:19:22 Should I write my college essay about COVID?Follow us:Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on FacebookIf you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.  Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcastsFollow me on Instagram or FacebookGive us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing listEnroll your 9th or 10th grader in the programPodcast Host: PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank, etc.Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes.

Show Notes:In today’s episode, I address many of the most important questions that people are asking in light of the coronavirus shutdown. These are timely questions that cannot be ignored. The answers to these questions give immediate direction to juniors, who are most at-risk, as well as to sophomores who should do everything in their power to avoid related pitfalls.I encourage parents and students to listen to this podcast together. While much of the advice is corona-related, it is 100% relevant to younger students coming up the ranks. These types of challenges are bound to happen again and again. My job is to prepare you for them. Here is what I discuss in this episode:0:01:27 Congratulations to PrepWell Juniors0:02:00 Stick to the Plan0:02:20 My thesis on early preparation0:03:00 Why are these students loving life?0:03:55 Why should sophomores pay attention?0:06:40 Should I bother taking the SAT or ACT?0:09:46 Will it be easier to get into UC schools now?0:11:00 What does test-optional mean? 0:12:20 Will all schools go test-optional?0:13:00 Will the June SAT be canceled?0:15:20 Should I study for SAT and ACT now?0:16:45 Should I bother with SAT Subject Tests anymore?0:18:24 Should I take the shorter AP exams this year?0:19:45 Should I take the early or late AP exams?0:20:30 My extracurriculars have disappeared. What do I do?0:21:41 Should I bother staying engaged in distance learning?0:23:18 Will colleges go test-blind? Will they see my scores?0:24:03 What should I do with my downtime?0:25:25 Will my senior year grades count more?0:26:10 What should sophomores learn from corona?Follow us:Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on FacebookIf you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.  Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcastsFollow me on Instagram or FacebookGive us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing listEnroll your 9th or 10th grader in the programPodcast Host: PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank, etc.Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes.

Recently we got a question about when students should take their SAT subject tests. Tune in as Megan answers that question…and provides other tips about test prep for the subject tests. Here is the exact question the mom Nathalie asked: ... Read More » The post 311: Is Freshman Year Too Soon for SAT Subject Tests & Test Prep? appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Recently we got a question about when students should take their SAT subject tests. Tune in as Megan answers that question…and provides other tips about test prep for the subject tests. Here is the exact question the mom Nathalie asked: […] The post 311: Is Freshman Year Too Soon for SAT Subject Tests & Test Prep? appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

In this episode, I answer a ton of popular FAQs from parents, students, and PrepWellers. Check out the timeline below and see if any of these questions pique your interest.If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.  Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcastsFollow me on Instagram or FacebookGive us a reviewShare this episode with a friendJoin our mailing listEnroll your 9th or 10th grader in the programHere are the questions I answer in this episode:0:01:03 Do I have to take SAT Subject Tests?0:03:01 Do colleges care if I take the SAT or ACT?0:03:11 Is it true that Ivy League schools do not give merit scholarships?0:03:49 How many times is too many for taking the SAT?0:04:48 Is it possible to get a full-ride scholarship in baseball?0:06:00 How many colleges should I apply to?0:06:46 Is it better to get an A in a non-weighted class or a B in a weighted class?0:07:50 Is it always better to apply Early Action?0:09:19 What’s the best way to get merit aid?0:10:28 How many extracurricular activities do I need?0:12:03 How do I start my college essay?0:13:40 What’s the best way to build a college list?0:15:14 Why has it become so competitive to get into college?0:16:45 What will colleges care most about on my application?0:17:37 What’s the most under-appreciated part of the application?0:18:27 When should I start studying for the SAT or ACT?0:19:00 What do you think of a gap year?0:19:43 What’s the difference between Navy ROTC and the Naval Academy?0:21:39 How do I get the attention of college coaches?0:23:00 Is spending $80K a year on college worth it?0:24:12 What do you think about starting at community college?0:25:25 How important is it to visit a college before applying there?0:26:14 What kind of ECs can I do that don’t cost a lot of money?0:27:04 Should I take the SAT or ACT?Follow us:Enroll in PrepWell AcademyFollow on InstagramFollow on FacebookPodcast Host: PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank, etc.Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes.

In this episode of Demystifying College Admissions, I’m interviewing Dan Ascher, M.Ed, the president of A+ Test Prep & Tutoring, who specializes in helping high school students improve their SAT or ACT scores.   WHAT YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE:   How to discern whether individual or group test-prep is best suited for you. The optimal time to take the SAT/ACT. The biggest advantage you can have when preparing for the reading comprehension portion of the SAT/ACT, regardless of how old you are. How to decide which SAT Subject Tests you should take   NOTABLE QUOTES: “We get emotional very quickly when we work with our family.” “If you do too much too early, you may get burned out a little.” “You can read about things you like: read books about sports, the newspaper. You have to find things related to the interests that you have.” “There are a lot of different paths to success and happiness in life.”   SHOW NOTES: https://juliekimconsulting.com/podcast/   STRATEGY SESSION: http://www.juliekimconsulting.com/now

In this episode of Demystifying College Admissions, I will be focusing on the SAT II Subject Tests and sharing with you when the optimal time to take the SAT Subject Tests is. SAT II Subjects DO play a significant role in your admissions game so make sure to tune in!   WHAT YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE:   The top 3 mistakes students make in regards to the SAT II tests and how to prevent them Why you should take SAT II subject tests How to tell if a particular SAT II subject test is a good fit for you What kind of SAT subject tests to take based on your major The worst time to study for the SAT II Subject Tests   NOTABLE QUOTES:   “SAT Subjects are great because the test is only one hour long, and it’s entirely multiple choice.” “You can’t spread yourself too thin.” “You want to take it in June and get it over with, get a 700+ score, and be done with it. ” “The more evidence you have to show for your academic proficiency in standardized testing is going to be another good factor for you.” “Make sure you check the requirements because some schools do have specific requirements.”   SHOW NOTES: https://juliekimconsulting.com/podcast/ STRATEGY SESSION: http://www.juliekimconsulting.com/now  

In today's episode, Jason and college counselor Leigh Ann Schwartz, M.Ed. talk about AP and SAT Subject Tests. They take a closer look at how important those scores truly are when it comes to college applications.

The Prepped and Polished Podcast is an educational and inspirational show that offers tutoring and test prep tips as well as interviews with celebrities and leaders in education. It is hosted by Alexis Avila, founder of Prepped and Polished LLC, a tutoring and test prep firm for K-college. On today's episode of the Prepped and Polished Podcast, Alexis talks about timing for SAT subject tests. Enjoy, Thanks for Listening and remember at The Prepped and Polished Podcast, We Empower You to Take Control of Your Education!

In this episode you will hear: (2:15) In this week’s news, “The Problem With PLUS: How Parents Buckle Under the Weight of College Debt” by Susannah Snider. Snider highlights the various reasons older Americans are the leading student loan debtors by way of Parent PLUS loans in this US News and World Report article. Not only is debt soaring among parents and grandparents for kids to go school, but colleges have no reason to discourage them from taking out these loans - they get their money up front and not responsible for collecting on outstanding payments. (14:38) We are in Chapter 49 of 171 Answers and we’re talking about how and when students can use SAT Subject Tests to stand out in their college applications. (23:07)This week’s question from a listener is about which type of email account students should use to communicate with colleges. (28:44) Mark interviews Rick Clark, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Georgia Tech, and they are talking through the right way to handle deferrals, denials, waitlists and acceptances. (52:26) Mark’s recommended resource of the week is the book, “College Admissions: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step” by Robin Mamlet. Mark also recommends the website Nerd Wallet. He really likes all the saving tips on this website but here is their Parent Plus Loan calculator:   Don’t forget to send your questions related to any and every facet of the college process to   Every episode of Your College-Bound Kid will align with a chapter from the book 171 Answers to the Most-Asked College Admission Questions. To get a copy visit  and if you want to see what future episodes will cover just click the red button “See exactly what 171 Answers covers.

Erica Jortberg, College Counselor of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, talks about standardized testing. Topics include which tests to take and when to take them. She also discusses the newer SAT Subject Tests

Well, this is where it gets serious. Researching Step 13 will give you and your son or daughter an idea about how likely it is that he or she will be accepted by a college. Of course, no one can say for sure whether your kid’s grades or admission test scores or extracurricular and community service activities or letters of recommendation will be appealing enough to get him or her admitted to a particular college. But several academic hurdles might turn out to be what stands between your kid and one or more colleges on his or her LLCO (that famous Long List of College Options). Your kid will need to use both each college’s website and College Navigator to research this crucial topic and to answer Questions 40 through 49 on admission practices.   Just to remind you, these steps are based on our workbook How To Explore Your College Options: A Workbook for High School Students (for further information, get one at Amazon). While we could talk for days about admissions practices and while many consultants and their websites do only that, we will keep it brief for now. Let’s start with one complication in researching this topic, as we explained to students in the workbook: You need to figure out whether the data you are examining are for “admitted” students or for “enrolled freshmen.” These two groups are obviously not the same because many students who are admitted to a college do not actually enroll. Since you are trying to figure out whether you will be admitted, using “admitted” student data, when available, is probably the better choice; however, either set of data will give you an idea of the caliber of the applicants a college accepts. Start by looking up the colleges on your LLCO on College Navigator and going to the Admissions section of the college profile. These data will be for “enrolled first-time students.” Helpful data are presented clearly in this section. Then check each college’s website. Some colleges do a great job of presenting data on admitted students or enrolled freshmen, and others simply do not. Some colleges make it easy by providing a page of facts and figures about the new freshman class--sometimes called a Class Profile (of students who enrolled) or an Admitted Student Profile (of students who were admitted, but did not necessarily enroll). However, it is not always easy to locate this page (though it is often in the Admission section of the website). If you can find the common data set on the website, you will want to look under the third part: C. First-Time, First-Year (Freshman) Admission. Question 40 asks students to check off whether the data they will be using are for admitted students or for enrolled freshmen. In a few cases, it might be both. Remember to try to use comparable data when comparing colleges. For a more detailed discussion about where to find each piece of data we are going to discuss now, check out the workbook. 1. Acceptance Rate Let’s start with a college’s acceptance rate. Here is what we said in the workbook: One way to judge the selectivity of a college is by looking at the number of students it accepts compared to the number of students who applied. Let’s call this “acceptance rate.” You should understand that, generally speaking, colleges like to boast that they have a low acceptance rate; that makes them feel more exclusive. There are many ways for a college to manipulate its acceptance rate, such as by encouraging applicants who are really not qualified and who will be rejected when they apply--a practice that is just as mean-spirited as it sounds. There have even been some news stories, opinion columns, and general criticism lately of colleges that seem overly impressed with their own super-low acceptance rates--say, below 10 percent. Without looking too closely at small differences in acceptance rates (like the difference in selectivity of a college with a 15 percent acceptance rate and a college with an 18 percent acceptance rate), you should know that the higher that acceptance rate is, the better chance you probably have of being admitted. While some well-known top-ranked private colleges have acceptance rates below 20 percent, some well-respected high-ranked private colleges and great public flagship universities have acceptance rates closer to 30 percent. And other excellent public flagship universities have acceptance rates closer to 50 percent. . . . Keep in mind that you will want to have some colleges on your LLCO with acceptance rates around 40 percent or better--just to be safe. Question 41 asks students simply to jot down the percent of applicants admitted to the college. 2. High School Grade Point Average (GPA) And this next topic, high school GPA, comes as no surprise. We wrote: For many, but not all, colleges, you will be able to find the full distribution of high school GPAs and the average high school GPA of the students enrolled in the freshman class by looking [at] the common data set on the college’s website. You also might find it on a Class Profile sheet on the website. . . .  This average high school GPA will be on a 4-point scale. For example, a great college might show an average high school GPA of 3.8, meaning that its enrolled freshmen did extremely well in their high school courses. As Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses have become increasingly popular and as more high schools have started to “weight” students’ grades in those courses (and sometimes in their own honors courses as well), there has been a rise in high school GPAs. . . . One effect of all of this weighting of high school course grades appears to be that average high school GPAs of incoming freshmen are on the rise. We can tell this anecdotally by the fact that many colleges we profiled in our virtual college tour, including some not super-selective ones, post surprisingly high average GPAs well over a 3.5 for the incoming freshman class. Question 42 asks students to jot down the average high school GPA of enrolled freshmen. 3. High School Class Rank Question 43 asks students to jot down whatever information they can find on the distribution of students by class rank. As you may know, class rank is an issue in today’s high schools. Here is an explanation, written for students: For many, but not all, colleges, you will be able to find the full distribution of high school class ranks of the students enrolled in the freshman class by looking [at] the common data set on a college’s website; there you will also find the percent of students who actually submitted a class rank. . . . You also might find class rank information on a Class Profile sheet on the website, where one college we profiled actually publicized the number of enrolled students who were named valedictorian (a #1 class rank) of their graduating class. . . . There have been a number of stories in the education media lately about school districts that do not want to name valedictorians any longer. Why? Because they have found that the competition for that spot sometimes comes down to a thousandth of a point in that GPA we just discussed. Furthermore, they have found that students are so focused on getting that extra-high GPA that they will actually NOT take high school courses they would otherwise have taken in order to broaden their studies--or should take in order to prepare for college--for fear of hurting their GPAs. That is a crying shame. Of course, for many years, some high schools have simply not provided class ranks for a variety of reasons, and it is not a requirement from any government office or governing body that high schools must provide class ranks. Similarly, some colleges will simply say that class ranks are not available for admitted or enrolled freshmen. So, if your kid’s high school provides class ranks, we hope your kid has a high one. But if it does not, maybe that’s just as well these days. 4. Test-Optional or Test-Flexible Colleges Every so often, it seems that we end up talking about test-optional and test-flexible colleges in an episode. There is always something to say because the list of such colleges keeps growing and because increasingly prestigious colleges are being added to it each year. As you probably know by now, a test-optional college means that students do not have to submit SAT or ACT test scores; a test-flexible college means that students are given a choice among various types of test scores to submit. However, we have noticed that many colleges that do not require the submission of SAT or ACT scores receive them, nonetheless, from many applicants. Because those scores are usually quite good, according to the data provided by the college, it is evident that students with good scores do, in fact, supply them even to test-optional colleges. How those scores figure into admissions decisions is anybody’s guess. Here is our advice: If your kid has good SAT or ACT scores, he or she should probably submit them to test-optional colleges, even though they are not required. There are perhaps only a handful of colleges that say that they absolutely do NOT want any test scores sent to them and that they will NOT use them at all for any reason, including well-regarded Hampshire College, which makes a crystal clear statement on its website about this subject. So, Question 44 asks students to check off whether the college is a test-optional or test-flexible college. This information can turn out to be very important for students who do not have good SAT or ACT scores, but it likely won’t matter at all for students who have good ones. 5. SAT and ACT Scores And speaking of those SAT and ACT scores, Question 45 asks students to jot down SAT and ACT scores, by subtest, as provided by a college in a variety of ways. For example, the common data set on college websites provides the following test data: The percent of students who submitted SAT and ACT scores The SAT and ACT scores, by subtest, at the 25th percentile of students and at the 75th percentile of students (in other words, 25 percent of students scored at or below the score at the 25th percentile, and 25 percent of students scored at or above the score at the 75th percentile)   The full distribution of SAT and ACT scores, by subtest If your kid’s scores fall above the 75th percentile of scores for a college’s students, that is good. If your kid’s scores fall right in the middle between the 25th percentile and the 75th percentile, that would be just about average for that college’s students. But if your kid’s scores fall close to or below the 25th percentile, that would not be nearly so promising in terms of his or her chances of being admitted. Until further notice, let us assert that SAT and ACT scores do matter. Sometimes all of us wish they didn’t. And while it’s true that, for some colleges, the scores don’t matter nearly so much, it’s also true that having good test scores is always a plus when applying to most colleges. That’s just the way it is. And for some, mostly elite colleges, SAT Subject Tests are still required or are, at least, recommended for admission--sometimes one, sometimes two, sometimes three, and sometimes certain ones. I imagine that a tough policy on requiring SAT Subject Test scores could mean that a student would not apply to a particular college. On the other hand, if your kid is applying to top-tier colleges, double checking on SAT Subject Test requirements EARLY is critical. Question 47 asks students whether any SAT Subject Tests are either required or recommended for admission and, if so, the specifics about those tests. 6. High School Courses Finally, let’s look at one last admission standard--one that is less often considered and more often taken for granted--and that is the courses that applicants are expected to have taken in high school, usually listed in terms of credits (or Carnegie units) in each subject area, but also sometimes including specific courses, especially in math and science. On a college’s website, this information can virtually always be found by starting with the Admission home page. Students will find that the high school course or credit expectations of colleges do, in fact, differ, usually according to how selective the college is. This is a favorite topic of ours here at USACollegeChat, so I am going to refer you to Episode 162 on this topic, which we did quite recently. It says it all! But just to remind you: The courses that your kid takes in high school matter, including the courses that he or she takes as a senior. Questions 48 and 49 ask students to jot down the number of high school credits/courses that are required by a college and, separately, that are recommended by a college in each subject and, then, to jot down any specific courses that are required or recommended. Well, that’s 10 questions on college admission practices. I think that’s enough. Stay tuned for next week’s finale. Find our books on Amazon! How To Find the Right College: A Workbook for Parents of High School Students (available as a Kindle ebook and in paperback) How To Explore Your College Options: A Workbook for High School Students (available in paperback) Ask your questions or share your feedback by... Leaving a comment on the show notes for this episode at http://usacollegechat.org/episode176 Calling us at (516) 900-6922 to record a question on our USACollegeChat voicemail if you want us to answer your question live on our podcast Connect with us through... Subscribing to our podcast on Google Play Music, iTunes, Stitcher, or TuneIn Liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter Reviewing parent materials we have available at www.policystudies.org Inquiring about our consulting services if you need individualized help Reading Regina's blog, Parent Chat with Regina

There is more to standardized testing than just the SAT and ACT. Join us to learn how to best take advantage of SAT subject tests and AP tests. We have had great success with them and now it's your turn. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/admissionsuncovered/message

Host Jason Breitkopf and returning guest Kristi Davin discuss how to plan out when to take various standardized tests such as the SAT & ACT, SAT Subject Tests, and AP tests. Jason and Kristi referenced an article that Jason wrote about junior year stress, which can be found on the Chyten blog here: https://www.chyten.com/junior-year-stress.html If you have any questions on this topic or any other, please reach out to us at http://www.twitter.com/endeavorpod . Join us at http://www.facebook.com/EndeavorParents for more tips, videos, & information.

We are in the third week of our new series, Researching College Options, and we are going to talk today about a topic that is unavoidable. It is a topic that we have talked about on several episodes of USACollegeChat and one that we have written about in both of our books for high school students and their parents. The topic is college admission testing--that is, the SAT and the ACT. Parents, if you have a smart kid who is applying to top-tier colleges, then this episode is especially important for you. But, as it turns out, this episode is also important if you have a great kid with just average high school grades or even not-quite-average high school grades, who might end up in a college that requires some sort of remedial English or math courses for students with borderline or sub-par academic records. Why? Because satisfactory college admission test scores can be the way around those remedial courses, which have a generally bad reputation in higher education. And the statistics show that skipping past those remedial courses could ultimately mean the difference between a student’s graduating and not graduating ever. In this episode, we are going to read you some excerpts from what we call Step 13 in our new book, How To Explore Your College Options: A Workbook for High School Students. Step 13 of what again? Well, it’s Step 13 of getting the information that your kid needs in order to make good choices about where to apply to college. If your kid needs more help, go get the book at amazon.com. 1. Is It Time To Register? So, why are we skipping all the way to Step 13 when we are just beginning this new series? That’s quite simple. It’s because Step 13 is about a college’s admission practices. And it’s because registration deadlines for the SAT and ACT are looming on the horizon, and we didn’t want you all to run out of time. According to our information, the registration deadline for the October 7 SAT test administration is September 8 (with late registration until September 27), and the deadline for the September 9 ACT test administration is already past, but late registration goes until August 18 (so you might need to hurry). The chances are good that many of you have brand new high school seniors who have already taken the SAT or ACT at least once, probably last spring. Should your kid take one or both tests again? We would say “yes,” if your kid has done anything at all since the last test that might improve his or her scores--like take practice tests, take a test preparation course, pay more attention in classes in school, or something else. It is unlikely that your kid will do significantly better on the tests if he or she has not done anything to get better prepared since the last testing time. If your kid has not taken either test yet, it is a good idea to take the SAT on October 7 and/or the ACT on September 9. Why? Because that still gives your kid a chance to take either or both tests a second time this fall, before regular decision applications are due around the first week of January of 2018. The SAT will be administered again on November 4 and the ACT on October 28. To repeat, however, if your kid does nothing to prepare in the intervening weeks between the two SAT or ACT testings this fall, then it is not likely that his or her scores will be much better the second time around. Another reason that it is a good idea to have your kid take the SAT on October 7 or the ACT on September 9 is to get those scores back in time to submit Early Decision and/or Early Action applications around November 1. Early Decision and Early Action were the focus of Episode 108 and 109, and we would strongly encourage you to go back and listen or re-listen to them now. Understanding these two college admission programs--as annoying and as complicated as they are--could truly make the difference between acceptance and rejection for your kid and between enormous anxiety and mild anxiety from January through March. We can’t stress that enough. While there is some serious calculation that goes into an Early Decision application, as we discuss, there is no downside at all to submitting as many Early Action applications as possible. Really, none. So, it is time for you to have a serious discussion with your kid about whether he or she should be taking or retaking the SAT and/or ACT on that first fall testing date: again, October 7 for the SAT and September 9 for the ACT. Every kid’s situation is different—how good any earlier scores are, how selective the colleges being considered are, how diligently test preparations are being undertaken, how confident and/or willing your kid is to sit through the test. For kids who are not confident and/or not willing and who have not yet taken either test, there is still November 4 for the SAT and October 28 for the ACT. 2. But Who Needs Test Scores These Days? You might be thinking about now, “Who needs test scores these days? I thought they were becoming less and less necessary as more and more colleges stopped asking for them.” Well, we address this topic in both of our books and in other episodes of USACollegeChat, but the bottom line is this: Having good test scores to submit is always preferable to not having them. That’s just common sense, and you didn’t need us to tell you that. Now with that said, are there very-selective and not-very-selective colleges that do not require the submission of SAT or ACT scores? Yes, absolutely, but we hesitate to publish a list because those colleges change every year. Here is what we wrote about that in our new workbook for high school seniors: The college website is usually quite clear about whether a college is a test-optional college (meaning that students do not have to submit college admission test scores) or a test-flexible college (meaning that students are given a choice of various types of test scores to submit). However, we have noticed that many colleges that do not require the submission of SAT or ACT scores receive them, nonetheless, from many applicants. Because those scores are usually quite good, it is evident that students with good scores do, in fact, supply them to test-optional colleges. How those scores figure into admissions decisions is anybody’s guess. Here is our advice: If you have good SAT or ACT scores, you should probably submit them to test-optional colleges, even though they are not required. There are perhaps only a handful of colleges that say that they absolutely do NOT want any test scores sent to them and that they will NOT use them at all for any reason, including well-regarded Hampshire College, which makes a crystal clear statement on its website about this subject. And, yes, it is true that many colleges, according to their websites, downplay the role of test scores in the admission process, even when those scores are required. You can believe those disclaimers if you wish. However, I will tell you that we continue to see very good candidates with great grades and great activities and great service to others and only-okay test scores get rejected from colleges that made those claims. So, be sure to have your kid prepare for the tests and get the best SAT and/or ACT scores he or she can. 3. How Good Do the Scores Need To Be? Once you and your kid have chosen colleges to apply to, you need to get information about the test scores of students who have been admitted to those colleges or who actually have enrolled there. Here is how to get that information for each college on your list, as we explained to students in our new workbook: To get started, you need to figure out whether the data you are examining are for “admitted” students or for “enrolled freshmen.” These two groups are obviously not the same because many students who are admitted to a college do not actually enroll. Since you are trying to figure out whether you will be admitted, using “admitted” student data, when available, is probably the better choice; however, either set of data will give you an idea of the caliber of the applicants a college accepts. Start by looking up the colleges on your LLCO [Long List of College Options] on College Navigator [the online service provided by the National Center for Education Statistics] and going to the Admissions section of the college profile. These data will be for “enrolled first-time students.” Helpful data are presented clearly in this section. Then check each college’s website. Some colleges do a great job of presenting data on admitted students or enrolled freshmen, and others simply do not. Some colleges make it easy by providing a page of facts and figures about the new freshman class--sometimes called a Class Profile (of students who enrolled) or an Admitted Student Profile (of students who were admitted, but did not necessarily enroll). However, it is not always easy to locate this page (though it is often in the Admission section of the website). If you can find the common data set on the website, you will want to look under the third part: C. First-Time, First-Year (Freshman) Admission. We have talked about and written about the common data set before. And, to repeat, it is not always easy to find on a college website; in fact, there are some colleges that I could never find it for. Nonetheless, it is an excellent source of all kinds of useful (and not-so-useful) data about any college you can name. Here are some specifics on this topic of test scores: In part C9, the common data set does a good job of providing the following testing data: The percent of students who submitted SAT and ACT scores The SAT and ACT scores, by subtest, at the 25th percentile of students and at the 75th percentile of students (in other words, 25 percent of students scored at or below the score at the 25th percentile, and 25 percent of students scored at or above the score at the 75th percentile)   The full distribution of SAT and ACT scores, by subtest College Navigator also provides most of this information, if that is easier for you to get to than the common data set.   Some college websites also provide the actual average, or “mean,” admission test score, and that can be handy, too. If your scores fall above the 75th percentile of scores for a college’s students, that is good. If your scores fall right in the middle between the 25th percentile and the 75th percentile, that would be just about average for a college’s students. But if your scores fall close to or below the 25th percentile, that would not be nearly so promising in terms of your chances of being admitted. Remember, even if the college you are researching has declared itself to be a test-optional college, it might provide SAT and ACT information for those students who chose to submit test scores, and that information will be helpful to you. 4. And What About Those SAT Subject Tests? Just when you thought the testing discussion was done, we have one more topic: the SAT Subject Tests (these are the tests that are in specific high school subjects and are generally thought to be harder than the SAT or ACT). To be clear, many colleges do not require any Subject Tests, but many highly selective colleges still do. So, don’t be surprised! You will need to go to a college’s website to find out how many Subject Tests are required and/or what specific Subject Tests (if any) are required for each college your kid is applying to. If you are the parent of a high school senior right now, the Subject Test issue is particularly troublesome. Why? Because your kid might need to submit scores from--let’s say--two Subject Tests, your kid was great at biology when she took it two years ago, and now it seems like a long shot for her to go back and take a Subject Test in biology without a lot of studying and review of information learned quite a while ago. The opposite situation is not great, either--that is, your kid took biology as a freshman and took the Subject Test then, when she was in competition with older, more mature, more experienced kids taking the test. Of course, your kid might have taken an AP Biology or Advanced Biology course more recently and, if so, that would be helpful indeed. But let’s remember that every high school kid doesn’t have access to these upper-level courses taken in their later high school years and, for those kids, Subject Tests might prove to be a more difficult problem to solve. Our point is this: Parents of all high school students, you need to do some advance thinking about Subject Tests during the high school years in order to give your kid the best chance at having a couple of good scores on his or her record. Taking Subject Tests in the spring of the junior year or in the fall of the senior year might be optimal in terms of a student’s maturity and school experience, but that might be too late for some subjects that were right up your kid’s alley. Whatever the case, thinking about Subject Tests for the first time in September of your kid’s senior year is too late. 5. Testing Nationwide Now, let’s get a bit of a national perspective, because SAT and ACT testing is a much bigger issue than your kid’s personal testing choices. It might be useful, as a concerned resident of the U.S., to understand that issue these days. In The New York Times in July, University of Michigan professor Susan Dynarski wrote this in a thought-provoking and comprehensive article: In Connecticut, Illinois and more than 20 other states, the ACT or SAT is given, without charge, during school hours. As of 2017, 25 states require that students take the ACT or SAT. In some districts, including New York City, the test is given free during school hours but is not required. Michigan began requiring public school juniors to take the ACT in 2007, and the share of high school graduates taking a college entrance exam rose immediately to nearly 99 percent from 54 percent. That growth was even sharper among low-income students; only 35 percent had been taking the test. Joshua M. Hyman, an assistant professor of public policy at the University of Connecticut, studied the effects of this initiative while he was my student at the University of Michigan. Professor Hyman analyzed the test scores and college attendance of all public high school students in Michigan, before and after the ACT requirement. The results were surprising. It was not just low-achieving students who had been skipping the ACT (or the SAT, which Professor Hyman also tracked). For every 1,000 students who took a college exam when it was optional, and scored high enough to attend a selective college, another 230 high scorers appeared once the test was mandatory. For low-income students, the effect was larger: For every 1,000 students who scored well on the optional test, an additional 480 did so on the mandatory test. . . . Universal exams cannot, by themselves, close gaps between poor and rich students in college attendance. But in Michigan, it has produced small increases, especially at four-year colleges and particularly among disadvantaged students. The story is similar in Maine, Illinois and Connecticut. Professor Hyman calculates that at a cost of less than $50 per student, a universal testing program is one of the least expensive ways to increase college attendance. Further, if the SAT or ACT replaces the standardized test that states require in public schools, it need not take up any additional instructional time, a key concern of testing opponents. Many people worry that college admissions tests are biased against low-income and nonwhite students. But disadvantaged students who do not take the tests are out of the running for selective colleges. While we may wish for a better approach, these tests are a gateway to selective schools. (quoted from the article) So, whether your kid is socioeconomically advantaged in every possible way or the first generation in your family to go to college, the SAT or ACT should be in your kid’s future--just as it should be for so many kids in the U.S. Let’s all admit it and figure out the best ways to help all kids get access to the tests and to that pathway into college. Find our books on Amazon! How To Find the Right College: A Workbook for Parents of High School Students (available as a Kindle ebook and in paperback) How To Explore Your College Options: A Workbook for High School Students (available in paperback) Ask your questions or share your feedback by... Leaving a comment on the show notes for this episode at http://usacollegechat.org/episode131 Calling us at (516) 900-6922 to record a question on our USACollegeChat voicemail if you want us to answer your question live on our podcast Connect with us through... Subscribing to our podcast on Google Play Music, iTunes, Stitcher, or TuneIn Liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter Reviewing parent materials we have available at www.policystudies.org Inquiring about our consulting services if you need individualized help Reading Regina's blog, Parent Chat with Regina

Ted Dorsey, aka Tutor Ted, scored perfectly on the ACT, SAT, and PSAT. Oh, and on the SAT Subject Tests in Literature and Math Level 2. A graduate of Princeton and UCLA, Ted founded the test prep company Tutor Ted to help students around the world prepare for their college entrance tests. He and his team have authored five test prep books, including "Tutor Ted's Guide to the ACT" and "Tutor Ted's ACT Practice Tests." In 2017, Tutor Ted launched an online ACT prep course at learn.tutortedcom. Tutor Ted's mission is to provide high quality, non-boring ACT and SAT prep to every student.