ACT and SAT scores are a critical factor in college admissions for several reasons. Because grading systems can vary widely, standardized tests are a common metric colleges can use to compare students from different high schools and educational backgrounds.

For high school students looking to make the most of their courses, choosing between an International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum is often a top priority. While both choices are academically rigorous and can lead to college credit, there are also profound differences between the two programs.  

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is an important part of the admissions process for aspiring law students. Designed to assess the critical skills necessary for success in law school, the LSAT evaluates reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and persuasive writing skills. Beginning in August 2024, law school hopefuls will see a change in the exam’s format. If you’re preparing to take the LSAT during the 2024-25 testing cycle, here’s what you need to know.  

The standardized testing landscape has dramatically transformed over the past few years. While the majority of colleges and universities operated under test-optional or test-blind policies for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, some colleges, like Dartmouth and Yale, will be returning to requiring test scores for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. Join an IvyWise college admissions counselor and tutor to learn about what changes to the SAT mean for the college admissions landscape.

For students who submit standardized test scores during the college admission process, superscoring offers a strategic advantage in showcasing their academic abilities. But what is superscoring and how does it work? Let’s take a deep dive into superscore policies and how they can enhance your college application. 

The COVID-19 pandemic brought on numerous changes within the standardized testing industry, including the introduction of a new, entirely digital testing format and many colleges shifting to a test-optional admissions process for the 2020-21 admissions cycle.

Fast forward a few years. More than 1,900 colleges and universities in the U.S. extended their test-optional policies through the 2023-24 application cycle, with some making the move to test-optional even longer or permanent. Other schools have since reinstated their standardized testing requirements.

Curious about the testing policies of the schools on your best-fit list? Check out our recently updated list below.

For many high school students balancing standardized tests, school projects, assignments and extracurriculars, it may seem like there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done. As a result, many students are staying up late to study. According to a 2015 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about seven out of 10 high school students aren’t getting enough sleep. In fact, Stanford Medicine refers to teen sleep deprivation as an epidemic. 

For students and families who are interested in the private school application process, there are generally two major tests on their radar: the ISEE and the SSAT. While both exams have a lot in common, there are also some distinct differences between the tests that students should keep in mind.

The SAT may have changed a lot in recent years, including going digital-only for international students in 2023 and for the U.S. in 2024. But one thing hasn’t changed ­— a good SAT score will help you gain acceptance into the schools on your college list, even if they’re test-optional. Of course, standardized test scores are just one component of a strong college application, but they help provide a more comprehensive picture of your college readiness. If you’re preparing to take the SAT, keep reading to learn more about how the score is broken down, what’s considered a good score, and what the score range is for the middle 50% of enrolled students at some of the top universities in the U.S.

Want to see how your scores on the SAT compare to ACT? The College Board provides concordance tables so students and educators can see how SAT total scores compare to composite ACT scores. You can also use the SAT score conversion chart below if you’ve completed both tests and want to determine which score is better to submit to colleges. These tables can help you gain some insight as you compare your scores to the average student who is admitted to each school on your balanced college list.