Updated: Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Test Prep Resources

IvyWise On-Demand: Standardized Tests Are Back: How to Navigate the Return of the SAT and ACT

Join IvyWise college admissions and test prep experts to learn about the current standardized testing landscape. They will cover topics including:

Understanding evolving testing policies at the schools on your list.
The benefit of submitting strong test scores when applying to test-optional schools.
Preparing for the Digital SAT, which is now offered both in the U.S. and abroad.
What to expect when the ACT implements changes to its test format and length starting in April 2025.

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Standardized tests are an important part of the undergraduate and graduate admissions process. That’s why it’s crucial to have a good test prep strategy. Whether you’re gearing up for the SAT, ACT, GRE, or any other standardized test, we’ve got you covered.

How to Tackle Exams

You can find plenty of study guides and practice test questions, but the best way to ensure success on your exams is to take advantage of professional tutoring services. Experienced tutors can help you build critical skills and strategies for success in addition to helping you prepare for the actual exam. This can boost your confidence going into the exam and help you manage test anxiety.

High School Exams

In addition to preparing for the ACT or SAT, high school students enrolled in AP classes will have to take AP exams for each subject. Another common high school exam is the PSAT, which students prepare for in the same way they prepare for the SAT.

AP Exam Resources

Students in the Advanced Placement (AP) program are already aware that the exams take place in May. However, preparation for the exams should begin much earlier. According to IvyWise Master Tutor Priyam, “the best strategy is to selectively study and fill knowledge gaps over the course of 6-8 weeks prior to the AP exam.”

How long are AP exams? Each exam is three hours, so building stamina is another important part of your test prep.

Want to learn more about how to prepare for AP exams? Check out our AP resources:

Learn these five helpful AP calc AB calculator skills.
Figure out your AP test prep plan and timeline.
Get more information about the AP subject tests.
Weigh the pros and cons of IB vs AP classes.

College Entrance Exams

Many colleges and universities have gone back to requiring standardized test scores for admission, meaning that college-bound students should concentrate on preparing for and taking the ACT or SAT during their junior year.

ACT Resources

The ACT is making significant changes in 2025. IvyWise Master Tutor Carl R. explains what students can expect.

With the Science section of the exam becoming optional, the composite score will encompass only the Math, English, and Reading sections.

Use our ACT resources to help with exam review.

SAT Resources

Gone are the days of bubbling in your answers — the SAT is now fully digital. While the types of questions haven’t changed, your prep and test-taking strategy should be different.

IvyWise Master Tutor Carl R. recommends being strategic about taking the four official practice exams in the Bluebook app. “While the official practice exams are timed and scored like the real test, they are also limited in number. You should not use these for idle study but save them for diagnostic purposes or for working with a tutor,” he says.

Learn when to start SAT prep.
Start your test prep with these SAT resources.
Feel confident on test day with this SAT and ACT prep guide.

Take a look at how IvyWise Master Tutor Catherine helps her students prepare for algebra problems on the SAT.

Test-Optional Colleges and Admissions

Even at test-optional colleges, admissions committees look more favorably on applicants who submit strong test scores that fall within or above the score range of their admitted students. For that reason, we recommend submitting your test scores if they add more depth to your academic profile and make you more competitive for admissions.

Graduate Admission Exams

Planning to pursue graduate studies? Whether you’re considering business school, law school, medical or dental school, or some other graduate-level program, preparing for graduate admission exams is part of the admissions process.

How to Prepare for the GRE or GMAT

While the GMAT is primarily for students applying to business school, the GRE is a more general graduate-level standardized test. Many business schools accept either and have no preference for one test over another; however, all business schools accept the GMAT.

For students planning to enter an MBA program, taking a diagnostic of both tests is key. “Prospective applicants should be selecting the test that is well-suited to their academic strengths in order to best position themselves in the admission process,” IvyWise counselor Nellie told U.S. News.

According to IvyWise Master Tutor Priyam, GRE prep should take about two to three months for intensive study or three to four months for less intensive study. The same goes for the GMAT.

Include our GRE resources or GMAT tips in your prep materials.

What to Know About the LSAT

Planning to apply to law school? Chances are, you will be required to submit Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores, though some law schools also accept the GRE. Students are tested on the skills that are critical for law school, including logical reasoning, persuasive writing, and reading comprehension. These LSAT resources  will give you an idea of what to expect.

IvyWise law school admissions counselor Jeb encourages students to “map out and spend more time preparing for the Logical Reasoning sections of the exam. These types of questions are asked the most on the exam, and most test takers have not been exposed to these types of questions.”

While this test is offered nine times per year, it’s best to achieve your goal score in one or two test sittings. Starting your test prep months in advance with the help of an experienced LSAT tutor can help.

Preparing for the MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a critical component of the medical school application process, and a strong score can significantly enhance your chances of admission. It consists of four sections: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS); Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems; and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior.

IvyWise Master Tutor Jiwoo, an M.D. candidate, explains how she studied for the MCAT:

My top test tip would be to get as much practice as possible using the World question bank! For me, practice questions were the best way to not only assess my performance and any knowledge gaps but to review topics based on the answer explanations that were provided. Learning the rationale behind the correct answer choice vs. the incorrect choices truly helped me home in on the nuances of the tested concepts. In tandem with these practice questions, I would suggest making study guides (or flashcards, concept maps, etc.) to keep track of the topics you are reviewing/studying.

Learn how to start studying for the MCAT.

Exams for International Students

If you are an international student who wants to study in the U.S., you may be required to submit the TOEFL or other English proficiency exam.

How to Prepare for TOEFL

The TOEFL exam demonstrates your preparedness for academic study in English. Each U.S. college and university sets its own TOEFL score requirements.

IvyWise Master Tutor Richard helps international students prepare for the TOEFL. He recommends that students use aids and guides as they prepare for the exam. “Getting a test prep book works best when students set a clear schedule for using the book and have help for this process,” he says. “An experienced tutor or TOEFL prep class can greatly speed up the process.”

Follow our tips for boosting your TOEFL score.

How to Prepare for Final Exams

When it comes to midterms and final exams, cramming at the last minute won’t help. It’s important to take a strategic approach to ensure you understand and retain the material.

Ace your midterm exam or final.
Follow these study tips for your final exam.
Learn how to work through challenging math equations.

Prepare for Your Test with IvyWise

At IvyWise, our integrated college admissions counseling and tutoring work seamlessly together to help students not only with test prep but also with every aspect of preparing for and applying to college or graduate school. Learn how we can help you achieve your academic goals.

Book a consultation.

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College Prep Resources for High School Students

If you’re planning to go to college, it’s essential to make all four years of high school count. Colleges look at your entire high school record — courses, grades, activities, and more — when evaluating college applications. They want to see how you have progressed over your time in high school and if you’re truly ready for the rigors of a college education. So, whether it’s your first year in high school, your senior year, or somewhere in between, these resources can help you on your path to higher education.

4 Standardized Testing Tips for International Students

Starting Early and Working Smart Can Help International Students Get Ahead on Standardized Tests

By Richard, IvyWise Master Tutor

When it comes to getting a great score on the ACT or SAT, the process of preparing and studying for the exam can seem quite complicated, especially if students are applying from abroad and aren’t familiar with the test. Instead of stressing out, know it can be done—as long as students learn about the exam and create a testing strategy.

How to Read Your ACT Score Report

The most important piece of information that students will receive after taking the ACT is their Score Report. The ACT Score Report is multi-faceted, and contains information that not only lets students know how they did, but also understand their specific and relative strengths and weaknesses to help guide their preparation for the next test sitting. So how can students and parents use this information to improve their scores in the future?

How to Read Your SAT Score Report

Your SAT Score Report has a lot of useful information, but understanding what each score means and how they translate into actionable items to aid your college prep can be difficult. Our team of test prep experts has put together the following SAT Score Report guide to help families better understand their students’ SAT scores and how they can use these results to make informed decisions on how to proceed with test prep.