The PSAT Is Not Exactly a Practice SAT
The best way to begin a conversation about SAT prep is to already have a baseline score that turns a hypothetical conversation into a practical planning session. I can often sketch out a sensible plan without diagnostics but will, in some instances, recommend a practice test in Bluebook. This advice almost always makes sense, except at the beginning of the school year as October approaches: ME: “Have you considered having your son take a practice SAT?” PARENT: “Yes, we registered for the PSAT.” ME: “No, I mean a practice SAT.” PARENT: “Right, the PSAT.” ME: (⊙_◎) Perhaps the point is not obvious. The PSAT clearly provides some degree of practice for the SAT. However, beyond the picayune distinction that the P in PSAT stands for Preliminary, the PSAT is not exactly a practice SAT and does not provide all the benefits a perfect practice SAT can. CONTENT Every question on…
Desmos Resources for SAT & ACT Test Takers
Ever since College Board and ACT first allowed test takers to use calculators to tackle math problems on their respective tests, students have sought out any advantage these tools could offer. Those of us who have seen more than one version of these illustrious exams come and go know well that every math problem can be answered without a calculator. But considering how many problems are more easily solved with support and how powerful Desmos can be on certain SAT and ACT (digital, of course) questions, learning some key techniques and strategies can lead to a much happier test day experience. Any student sitting for an exam that includes Desmos as an embedded calculator option should explore the interface in advance and master simple applications like sliders and regression table. Those willing to invest a small amount into a guided course will find the Demystifying Desmos on the SAT Course…
What Do You Need to Know Before Choosing the SAT or ACT?
SAT or ACT can be the gateway to amazing educational opportunities and sizable scholarships, so the question is rarely, “Should I take the test?” Instead, start your journey by determining which test is best for you. In this detailed conversation with college counselor and podcaster Mark Stucker, Chariot Learning president Mike Bergin (that’s me) answers the most pressing questions regarding choosing and preparing for the right college admissions exam: ● How the SAT and ACT differ in structure and content ● Why the right test depends on the individual student ● How practice scores can help determine the better fit ● What families should know about the ACT Science section ● Why ACT Writing is generally unnecessary ● When should students begin their test preparation ● How often should students take full-length practice tests ● Why reviewing practice tests is just as important as taking them ● What realistic SAT…
What About the SAT or ACT Waitlist?
No college-bound student wants to hear the word “waitlist” from the school of her dreams. But the waitlist option can be a boon to anyone who misses the registration deadline or decides at the last minute to take a test. Getting on the waitlist for a particular test carries a real reward in terms the possibility of testing earlier than you could otherwise but also real downsides: You are not guaranteed a seat: Waitlisted students are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Your morning will be full of uncertainty and delay: Waitlisted students are seated after all regularly registered test-takers have been admitted and if sufficient test materials, staff, and seating are available. You might not know where you are testing until the last minute: College Board allows students to register for an SAT seat by radius. Waitlisted students will be automatically placed into an open seat as they become…
Why Smart Students Score Higher
Chancy and consequential exams like the SAT & ACT have long been conflated with IQ tests. While there may certainly be some overlap–historically, SAT scores correlated highly with the g factor or general intelligence–these different assessments are designed for dramatically different purposes. Even so, smarter students tend to score higher on these and any other exams. But smart doesn’t carry the same connotation as intelligence, at least in this context. Instead, I favor the way Seth Godin–-a genius in his own right–-defines what smart really means: Smart is no longer memorization. It’s not worth much. Smart is no longer access to information. Everyone has that. Smart is: Situational awareness Filtering information Troubleshooting Clarity of goals Good taste Empathy and compassion for others The ability to make decisions that further your goals The good news is that smart is a choice, and smart is a skill. Anyone old enough to remember…
ACT Acquired By ETS: Is This Good?
On June 30, 2026, ETS announced that it is acquiring ACT. In the official press release, the move was described as combining the strengths of two mission-driven measurement organizations to address the significant challenges facing American education. “Together, ETS and ACT will deliver solutions to help individuals learn, demonstrate skills, and connect to jobs in a dynamic economy being radically reshaped by AI.” Is that really what’s going to happen though? In my humble opinion, yes. This merger should better position ACT to fulfill its founding purpose. I explained why in Marlena Corcoran’s recent Forbes article on the topic: “The 2024 acquisition of ACT by a capital management company worried many of us in education, but those concerns were ultimately unfounded,” Bergin wrote. “ACT never deviated from its mission of helping people achieve education and workplace success. The news that ETS, a long-respected testing and assessment organization, has now acquired…