Higher Scores Test Prep

When Should You Take The ACT?

In my opinion, cookie cutter answers to the question “When should you take the ACT?” should be banished. Preset timelines that don’t take your individual academic considerations and activities into account do more harm than good. If you’re planning well, determining the proper timeline takes a little effort and consideration for the constraints that are […]


Everything You Need To Know About The SAT Subject Tests

Since I teach online ACT & SAT prep courses, I often end up fielding questions about the SAT Subject Tests too. These tests confuse and confound because, as with so many aspects of the college admissions process, they end up feeling like just another box to tick on the application to do list. Unfortunately, though, […]


How Many Times Can You Take The SAT?

As is true with most of the tasks around the college admissions process, getting started early is critical to keeping stress levels low. “How many times can you take the SAT?” is a good question for families to ask early in the college prep process because it means that you’re thinking about the SAT far enough […]


3 Tips to Help Freshmen and Sophomores Prepare for the ACT and SAT

I originally wrote this article as a guest post for CollegeRaptor.com. Every fall I’m approached by a few eager students who are interested in test prep well before junior year. Middle school students, freshmen, and sophomores are often anxious over what’s coming down the road and want to get a jump on the work ahead. […]


Do Less Math on Test Day with This Timing Hack

Whether you’re taking the ACT or SAT, it’s important to be aware of the timing of the exam. Now, if you know me, you know my #1 tip is to focus on accuracy over speed; however, you still need to have a sense of your pacing in order to ensure you’re answering enough questions to […]


Getting the Most Out of College Campus Visits (Episode 93)

In this episode of The College Checklist Podcast, Kelly Queijo, founder of Smart College Visit and Smart College Consulting, provides excellent advice on how to plan campus visits, how to save money on your college visits,  and how to get the most benefit from the experience. Remember: campus visits are a fact-finding mission about your home […]


All About Student Loans (Episode 92)

We are in for a special treat on this episode of The College Checklist Podcast with our first three-peat guest, Jodi Okun! Jodi has a wealth of knowledge on all things paying for college – including student loans. In the past, Jodi has helped us understand the bird’s eye view of the financial aid process, […]


Going Off-Trail on Purpose (Episode 90)

In this episode of The College Checklist Podcast, I interview Off-Trail On Purpose founder Leslie Frey about the benefits of defying the status quo in college admissions and why taking the long view of what you want from life can help you find the perfect-fit college. Leslie’s background as a teacher and Outward Bound leader gives her […]


How to Conduct Data-Driven College Research (Episode 89)

In this episode of The College Checklist Podcast, I interview Road 2 College founder Debbie Schwartz about the best ways to leverage some of the wonderful, free college research tools available these days. When her own child was getting ready to plan for college, Debbie came to realize how little college financial planning assistance there was […]