Taking the SAT, ACT, or PSAT is a nerve racking experience. I froze up my first time taking the ACT and didn’t finish the math section. I knew how to do it; it was just new and scary. It would have been awesome if I had been able to take a practice test beforehand. That way I would have known what to expect, how to pace myself, and known where to spend most of my time, based on my strengths and weaknesses.

Evidently the people at the Princeton Review have heard several people share my same concern. They have declared March 20, 2010 as National Testing Day they are offering a free full-length, SAT, ACT, or PSAT practice test to anyone who signs up.

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 Grockit is an online test prep and collaborative learning tool that allows students to practice tests in the three ways they naturally study – alone, with peers, and with experts. This guest blog was written by Jordan Schonig, a writer for Grockit.

It’s the ultimate showdown between the frightening acronyms: SAT or ACT? Which test should you take? On which test will you score better? You may and should have a lot of questions like these as standardized testing seasons rolls around.

First, find out which tests are accepted at the schools you’re applying to. You will rarely find a school that only accepts the ACT; the SAT is still the more standard of the two, and nearly all colleges accept it. Most colleges on the east and west coasts still require the SAT, though the acceptance of the ACT is steadily increasing.

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College entrance and grad school exams are a thorn in the side of any college-bound student. But no matter how much you don’t want to take them, your desire to score well should be higher. The Princeton Review has long been a respected resource for students, as they offer top-notch study prep courses for a variety of exams.

Every day, when you visit this page at The Princeton Review, EduInReview.com readers receive a special 10% discount on a number of online and classroom prep courses.

During September, that discount has been extended to save $150 on SAT on ACT Essentials courses (9/1/09-/30/09), and save $250 on MCAT, LSAT, GMAT and GRE classroom or LiveOnline Courses (9/1/09-10/1/09).

The standard 10% discount, available here, is applicable to the following exams:

> PSAT
> ACT
> SAT
> LSAT
> GMAT
> MCAT
> GRE
> USMLE
> DAT

Read on to learn more about what The Princeton Review can do for you! Read the rest of this entry »

Last school year, 1.4 million high school seniors took the ACT. Of those 1.4 million students, only 23 percent are expected to make as high as a “C” during their freshman year in college. This report, which was released by the company that makes the ACT, is based on the scores of the 2009 high school graduates who took the ACT. This does not represent those who took the SAT.

Although more and more students are taking the ACT each year, the average score is staying about the same. The average score on the ACT was 21.2 out of a possible 36. The score has gone up since 2006, when the average score was only 21.0.

Cynthia Schmesier, president of ACT’s education division, is actually quite happy with these results. Schmesier expected a larger drop in the average ACT score, due to the more diverse student population who is taking the test today than five years ago.

Schmesier said “one would reasonably expect a drop (in the average scores, but) we’re not seeing that, which to us is a positive indication.” Read the rest of this entry »

Thousands of students fear the morning when they have to wake up at 7:00 a.m., go to a designated testing site, and sit in a cold room for more than four hours, taking the SAT. It’s a long, hard test, and your score determines which colleges will accept you.

Or, at least it used to.

Now, thanks to a movement among some of the highest ranked colleges and universities, submitting your SAT score is optional. This is the SAT-Optional Movement and anti-SAT-enthusiasts have been singing its praises. More than 800 institutes are now test-optional, which means that students do not have to submit their SAT scores in order to be accepted. Some of these include These include Oklahoma State University, Texas A&M, Wake Forest and George Mason. Read the rest of this entry »

Any high school student considering college needs to make sure that scoring well on college entrance exams is at the top of their priority list. These exams are one of the first steps to consider when preparing for college during high school. The SAT and the ACT are the two entrance exams that schools request scores for; depending on where you apply, one or both may be required. (Although more than 800 schools are eliminating SAT scores.)

If you’re ready to get a good SAT score, then consider Kaplan. This is the go-to resource for college exam preparation. They’ll provide students with all the information and guidance necessary to not only get through test day, but score well.

Through July 31, 2009, when you enroll in a Kaplan comprehensive course for PSAT, SAT or ACT, you’ll receive a $300 discount.

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For students preparing to take college entrance exams, Kaplan is a fairly familiar name. Kaplan is the go-to resource for test prep. If you or your child is planning to take one of these tests soon, consider Kaplan before you need your number two pencils.

This summer, Kaplan is offering a $100 discount on the following test prep classroom courses:

• SAT
• ACT
• PSAT
• GMAT
• GRE
• LSAT
• MCAT
• DAT
• OAT
• PCAT

At checkout, you can enter SAVE100 to redeem the $100 discount Kaplan coupon. Read the rest of this entry »

The results are in and high school students everywhere are scrambling to know how they did on the SATs. They’re that first real step toward college and one of the more determining factors in where a student will go. This week, the SAT scores were published leaving many students questioning what that number actually means. Determining whether you have a “bad” score or a “good” score is still relative, dependent on the school you’re applying to.

A perfect score is 2400, scoring 800 in each of three areas. In 2008, the average scores for the three sections were:

• 502 – critical reading
• 515 – mathematics
• 494 – writing Read the rest of this entry »

How to Prepare for College During High School

Moving on to college after high school is one of the biggest changes in a student’s life. So it’s never too early to prepare for it, even if you’re just a freshman in high school.

The early bird gets the worm, and the school of your choice. Don’t wait until your senior year to get the ball rolling. Research prospective schools, their entrance tests, and financial aid options sooner than later.

Plan to visit college campuses to get a feel for your options. Start with colleges near you. And even if you’re interested in schools that aren’t in your backyard, you can check a campus through cyberspace. Visit the websites of schools that you’re interested in. You can also attend college fairs to meet admission representatives and obtain course catalogs. It’s a great way to speak face-to-face with the people who know best. But if at all possible, visit campuses in person to get a firsthand experience of the schools’ culture. Read the rest of this entry »

Whether you’re preparing for the SAT, ACT, or both- these are some good tips to apply for healthy preparation.

1. Number 2 Pencils- Be sure to bring PLENTY of them, too! Although the testing site may say they provide you with pencils if you forget them, don’t count on the pencils being the greatest! Be sure also to bring plain wood number 2s because the use of mechanical pencils is not allowed on standardized tests.

2. Calculator- Although calculators are not REQUIRED they come in handy when more complicated math problems come up on either test. Graphing calculators are allowed, but be sure to double check on the test’s website if your calculator make/model is allowed or not. Be sure, if using a graphing calculator, to throw in some extra batteries or change them the night before. Would hate to remember your calculator then have it die half way through a problem on the test! Or bring a back up calculator if you don’t have batteries or won’t have time to get any.

3. Snacks and Water- Although you aren’t allowed to eat or drink while the test is taking place, there are small breaks between sections, giving you time to not only stretch, but also a little time to munch! Keeping your metabolism up will help you stay awake and alert so that you will be able to address each question to the best of your ability!

4. Admissions Ticket- Whether you register online or by mail for the test, you should receive an admissions ticket telling you details such as time and location and date of your test and other rules. Be sure to bring this paper along because it shows proof of registration and is required at the beginning of your test or else you won’t be allowed in. Also be sure to bring a current photo ID, they require this also with the admissions ticket.

5. Yourself!- Be sure the night before you get a good night’s sleep, don’t stay up late cramming last minute facts into your head on some scientific theory that may not even show up on the test. Eat a good breakfast the morning of and pump yourself up by listening to your favorite song!