Tag: ACT
IvyWise On-Demand: Don’t Call It a Comeback: The Return of Standardized Testing
Events Don’t Call It a Comeback: The Return of Standardized Testing DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Join IvyWise college admissions and test prep experts to learn about important changes in standardized testing, including: Many selective universities, including Brown, Caltech, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Yale, will be returning to requiring test scores for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle Others, including Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford, will reinstate the requirement for the 2025-2026 cycle The Digital SAT is now being offered both in the U.S. and abroad The ACT recently announced changes to its test format and length At the end of the presentation, attendees had their questions about test prep and college admissions answered directly by IvyWise experts.
Without Test Scores, How do Colleges Make Decisions?
The process of preparing for, taking, and responding to standardized test scores is a stressful and overwhelming one for students and families, and with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, this process has only become more stressful in recent years. One of the ways that colleges have responded to the pandemic's obstacles is to implement test-optional admissions policies to avoid disadvantaging students who have been unable to sit for an ACT or SAT. This was a sudden and drastic shift that left many students and families with questions about how it will impact their own applications.
When Should I Start Studying for the SAT or ACT?
The spring semester is a popular testing time for college-bound students and is often the first time that high school juniors crack open an SAT or ACT prep book. What’s important for younger students to realize, however, is that starting test prep early — even in ninth or 10th grade — can help students have the best chance of reaching their goal scores and mitigate the stress caused by too much testing at once. In reality, when to start test prep depends on a lot of factors.
5 Math Concepts Students Need to Master for the ACT and SAT
The math sections of the ACT and SAT can be a challenge for many students, especially those who tend to struggle in these subject areas. However, there is good news for students who are looking to improve their math scores on these standardized tests: by mastering a few easy concepts you can be well on your way to reaching your goal scores. I have always considered the math sections of the SAT and the ACT to be completely games of skill.
ACT Formulas and Programs
Taking the ACT this fall? There are a number of formulas that students should know before sitting for the test, and many can be programmed into students’ calculators beforehand in order to save time and give students’ the best chance of completing the math section in time and to the best of their ability. There are a lot of math concepts tested on the ACT and the ACT does not provide students with any formulas on a reference sheet.
Get Your ACT Together: How to Prep for the ACT Math Section
The ACT is an important exam and your score will be used not only for college admission purposes, but also to determine qualification for scholarships and even course placement. Your performance on the ACT Math section may be particularly important for admission into a technical school or a quantitative major. So if you choose to take the ACT, how should you prepare for the math section?
How Much Science Do You Need to Know for the ACT?
The science section on the ACT can make many students nervous, especially those who dislike science, and can lead those students to falsely believe they should avoid the ACT altogether. However, the key is knowing how the ACT science section operates and coming to a firm understanding that the ACT does not necessarily test the depth of your scientific knowledge, but rather analytical skills in a scientific context. In the description of the ACT Science section it’s stated that “advanced knowledge is not required.
How to Decide Between the ACT and SAT
If you are planning to apply to a college or university in the US, chances are you’re going to have to take either the ACT or the SAT. At IvyWise we advise students to prep for test – not both. So how do you decide which one is the best fit for you?
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?
Self-Studying: What’s the Benefit and How to Do It
With an increasing number of new technologies and an expanding global population, self-studying is on the rise. Education is no longer confined to just the classroom, and some would argue that the classroom model is outdated and does not meet the intellectual needs of individuals in such an interconnected society. Being an autodidact, or self-teacher, has become increasingly feasible due to MOOCs (massive open online courses), Internet encyclopedias, and more colleges and universities offering courses online.
Spring Standardized Testing: Advice for Sophomores and Juniors
For many high school students, spring semester means standardized test season. Like it or not, these tests are a factor for college admissions at most schools — even if they’re test optional. While a perfect score alone won’t get you into your dream college, it is important to do well on these tests to have the greatest chance of admission.
Mastering SAT and ACT Reading Comprehension Passages
Every year, another group of students prepares for a fresh cycle of test prep, each with their own set of strengths and weaknesses. One of the most difficult (and time consuming) parts of the SAT and ACT is getting through the reading comprehension passages efficiently and effectively. I’m here to give you some tips on how to conquer the reading passages on the SAT and ACT.
Test Prep Checklist for Sophomores and Juniors
If you’re not already preparing for the SAT or ACT, now’s the time to get started! The spring semester is a popular testing time, and high school sophomores and juniors need to have a plan to prepare for these important college admission exams. An excellent SAT or ACT score is not a guarantee of admission, but it can be the difference between the “maybe” and the “no” pile when admissions officers are reviewing applications.
Testing Guide for International Students
International students preparing to apply to U.S. universities have a lot to consider, from the holistic admissions process to visa requirements and tuition costs.
Tips for Taking the Computer-Based ACT, GRE, and GMAT
If you’re looking to apply to graduate school or plan to take the ACT, you might soon be faced with a computer-based standardized test. Computer-based testing (CBT) is increasingly the norm, as test makers feel they can be delivered and administered more securely, with the trend moving towards exams entirely unique to individual test-takers. This trend accelerated with the College Board's recent move to an all-digital SAT, which involved a major overhaul of that test's content.
What Families Need to Know About Test-Optional Colleges and Admissions
The test-optional movement has been growing for years now, with approximately 2,000+ colleges and universities in the U.S. adopting some form of a test-optional or test-flexible policy.