I’ve worked extensively over the years with students in all three settings. I’ve had small groups of every size and classes of up to about 50 students. Presently my classes are generally 5 to 10 students. I think that the reason my classes have gotten smaller is that students are busier than ever and have …

I assume most people would answer no to this question. I will grant you that it wouldn’t be fun the way going to Disneyland is fun, but there are many types of fun. It would fit more in the category of playing chess, or doing crossword or other word puzzles or sudokus, for example. People …

The PSAT is a practice SAT test. It is virtually the same as the SAT but it is shorter and does not include an essay. Some students take it in their sophomore year and junior year. For juniors, it counts as a screening test for a potential national merit scholarship.  Here is information on the …

The subject tests (also known as the SAT II) are subject area SAT tests. Although most colleges do not require them, many of the higher academic schools prefer that students take them. Since colleges differ in their requirements regarding the SAT II, students should look at the college websites regarding this issue. The SAT II …

SAT Composite Score (Math, CR & W) ACT Composite Score SAT Composite Score (Math & CR only) 2400 36 1600 2340-2390 35 1540-1590 2280-2330 34 1490-1530 2220-2270 33 1440-1480 2160-2210 32 1400-1430 2100-2150 31 1360-1390 2040-2090 30 1330-1350 1980-2030 29 1290-1320 1920-1970 28 1250-1280 1860-1910 27 1210-1240 1800-1850 26 1170-1200 1740-1790 25 1130-1160 1680-1730 24 …

The quick answer to this is yes! Some students do comparatively better on one test than the other and schools accept either one. The only school I know of that accepts only the ACT is BYU. Most high school students on the east and west coasts take the SAT and the midwestern students take the …

The highest math on the test is Algebra II. So after students have taken that class in school they are ready to take the SAT. Some students take Algebra II in 9th grade or even in 8th grade. Are they ready at that time? For the math section, the answer is yes. Nothing they learn …

I used to counsel students to take the SAT no more than three times. It was thought that admissions counselors at colleges might think students a little obsessive if they took it more than three times. In recent years, however, students are not required to send all their scores to colleges but can instead choose …

I often get asked this question and the answer depends on the students and what schools they are applying to. I encourage people to go on to the website of colleges they are interested in. They will include on their website the average SAT score for incoming freshmen. That being said, an average score is …

The writing section was added to the SAT test in 2005. This is why the perfect score went from 1600 to 2400. It is made up of two sections of grammar questions and one essay, which accounts for approx. 30% of the score. It is less important that math and reading as some colleges ignore …