Click below to join us on September 13th for our digital PSAT webinar!
We're break down the changes coming on the digital PSAT exam and new strategies for how to tackle the material to help your student score higher!
Winning scholarships with high PSAT scores
All of us at Test Prep Gurus hope this newsletter finds you well and thriving!
We're excited to share some insights on a topic that can significantly impact your family's financial future: winning scholarships with high PSAT scores.
High PSAT scores can unlock a variety of scholarships, such as Boston University's $25,000/year ($100,000 total) award for PSAT National Merit Semi-Finalists.
Click here to see a list of 181 scholarships students can earn based on their 11th-grade PSAT score.
(A note of appreciation to Les Mathew of The Extra Mile College Admissions for curating this collection of National Merit Scholarships available at more than 180 colleges, provided as a free and accessible resource.)
Details on The PSAT:
Students typically take the PSAT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in October of their sophomore and junior year of high school.
This test is usually administered in October, but it's important to check with your school or educational institution for specific dates and registration details, as they may vary based on location and school policies.
Taking the PSAT provides students with a valuable opportunity to practice for the SAT, assess their academic strengths and weaknesses, and potentially qualify for National Merit Scholarship recognition, or any of the scholarships listed above.
Maximize PSAT Scholarship Potential:
Preparation is Key. The PSAT will be completely different this year! Students who understand the new test format, content, and time constraints will have an advantage over those that don't.
Reach out to us today to schedule 1-on-1 lessons to familiarize your student with the new digital PSAT.
Other Scholarships Based on SAT and ACT Scores:
For students who don't qualify as National Merit Semi-Finalist, don't worry, there are still plenty of scholarship opportunities based on your SAT or ACT scores!
In fact, many colleges still require SAT and ACT scores to qualify for their merit-scholarships. Here are a few examples:
Georgia Institute of Technology
SAT Required
SAT: 1500+
Godbold Family Foundation
Up to Full tuition ($31,370 per year)
Texas Christian University
SAT or ACT Recommended
ACT: 30-34+
SAT: 1360-1500+
Founders'/TCU/Faculty/Dean's/Chancellor's
$12,000-full tuition ($57,130 over four years)
Santa Clara University
SAT or ACT Recommended
ACT: 30+
SAT: 1400+
Johnson Scholar
Full tuition ($58,587)
University of Southern California
SAT or ACT Required
National Merit Finalist
Presidential
Half Tuition ($31,734 per year)
UMass Dartmouth
SAT or ACT Required
ACT: 32+
SAT: 1450+
University Commonwealth Scholarship
Tuition/Fees ($30,992)
Vanderbilt University
SAT or ACT Recommended
Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholars
Full tuition + one summer stipend ($58,130 minimum)
Here's to a year filled with learning, growth, and scholarship success!
The Nick Standlea Podcast
Conversations with exciting individuals on Learning, Health, Wealth, and Education.
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
"They took this kid who was paralyzed by tests, and they changed him."
Hear from Diana Stark, Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and parent of a student at Orange County School of the Arts on how her son overcame severe testing anxiety on the ACT.
(On your phone, view in “full screen” for the vertical video).
Growth Mindset : Don't Tell Kids They're "Smart"
What is a "Superscore" on the ACT or SAT?
Click above to see our video on “superscoring” an ACT or SAT.
New Digital PSAT and SAT
The digital adaptive PSAT and SAT explained in a whiteboard video by Nick Standlea, CEO of Test Prep Gurus, and renowned expert on college admissions testing expert.
The new digital test contains major changes from the paper-based SAT, and it is important to understand how it works in order to prepare for the test.
Structure: There are two sections -- Reading and Writing, and Math. Each section is made up of two modules. In the first module, students will answer a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. Based on their performance in the first module, students will be given either easier or harder questions in the second module. This process continues until the test is complete.
The new exams are adaptive because they adjust the difficulty of the questions based on a student's performance. This means that students who do well on the first module will be given harder questions in the second module, and students who do not do as well will be given easier questions. This helps to ensure that all students are challenged, regardless of their skill level.
The new digital tests are also shorter than the paper-based PSAT and SAT. The total test time for the PSAT and SAT is now 2 hours, 14 minutes, which is roughly 45 minutes shorter than the paper-based SAT.
Here are some additional tips for preparing for the digital SAT:
Take practice tests.
The best way to prepare for the digital SAT is to take practice tests. This will help you to get familiar with the format of the test and the types of questions that are asked.
Become Familiar with the Format.
The digital SAT is a computer-based test, so it is important to learn how to use the digital interface. This includes things like how to navigate the test, how to type your answers, and how to use the embedded calculator.
Manage your time wisely.
The digital SAT is a shorter test than the paper-based SAT, so it is important to manage your time wisely. Be sure to pace yourself and to answer all of the questions.
Stay calm and focused.
The digital SAT can be a challenging test, but it is important to stay calm and focused. If you start to feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you can do it.
We hope this video has been helpful. Good luck on your PSAT and SAT!
Do ACT & SAT Scores Help in College Admissions? What the data tells us will suprise you.
PSAT Scoreback Webinar for Irvine Unified School District (Test Prep Gurus)
College admissions testing expert, Nick Standlea, CEO of Test Prep Gurus, discusses PSAT, SAT, and ACT scores, and how to plan ahead for college.
Specific issues include:
Updates on PSAT, SAT, and ACT testing for 9th, 10th and 11th grades,
Updates on how colleges will use the ACT and SAT in the future,
What students and parents need to do today to be ready to apply to college in the future,
The Digital SAT
How to position your student for success when they apply to colleges,
Changes to UC, Cal State, and admission requirements at other colleges,
What “Test Optional” really means
Nick Standlea, Test Prep Gurus, CEO
After earning a perfect score on the SAT, Nick founded Test Prep Gurus with the mission of using standardized tests to teach broader life skills for college and beyond. Over the last ten years, Test Prep Gurus has helped thousands of students to improve their scores by hundreds of points, without sacrificing their sanity. Today the firm is a thought-leader in SAT and ACT preparation and works with students across America and around the world.
Are you worried about admission to USC?
I recently sat down with one of our parents who was extremely anxious over her son's prospects of being admitted to the University of Southern California.
Despite his excellent profile -- he had strong grades (4.1 at a great high school) and had posted an outstanding ACT score (top 5% of the country) -- her perception was that this wouldn't be nearly enough.
She wanted to add as many AP courses as possible to her son's upcoming Senior year.
The parent went so far as to quote a number of admissions statistics that she had gleaned from the internet, including the following:
USC’s acceptance rate last year was below 12%.
Three out of four students who were admitted to USC last year scored 30 or higher on the ACT, and one out of four scored a 35 or 36 (out of 36).
25% of students who were admitted to USC last year scored 1350 or higher on the SAT, and 75% scored 1530 or higher (out of 1600).
The unweighted average GPA of an admitted student was 3.91.
Every year USC receives more than 69,000 applications for fewer than 8,500 spots.
These were facts. They were true. But...
...the critical piece of the puzzle that she was missing was that a student's statistics (GPA, AP courses, SAT/ACT scores) are far from the only factors that are considered in an admissions decision at a selective college.
USC practices holistic admissions -- in short, this means they look at a lot more than just the numbers. In fact, at the majority of selective colleges, it is safe to say that while grades and SAT/ACT scores are obviously quite important, they are far from being the ONLY important factors.
It often works as follows: once a student is in the competitive range of standardized test scores and GPA at a given school (for instance, 50% of USC admits score between 30-34 on the ACT), the actual decision is often made based on qualitative measures. These qualitative measures include essays, outside interests, the student's ability to express a unique point of view, the possession of a unique skill set, or perhaps a track record of intellectual curiosity in an area of study that fits with the school's offerings.
Naturally, we all want the best for our children. But what the student in this particular story needed to give him the best possible opportunity to gain entrance to one of his top choice schools wasn't necessarily to add more AP classes to his schedule (he had already taken plenty in areas of study that he truly enjoyed).
Instead, he needed to take the necessary time to focus his energy on the process of writing unique personal statements, asking the right people for letters of recommendation, and crafting interesting applications.
I share this story because I know that many parents experience similar levels of anxiety over their child's prospects of gaining admission to a top college.
However, it's important to remember that the reality is that selective colleges aren't often wowed by students who only have high GPAs/standardized test scores -- what they are looking for are interesting students.
To sum up--
Do SAT/ACT scores and grades matter? Of course they do.
Are they the only measures that matter? Not by a long shot.
What always matters? Being an interesting individual.
So while the scaffolding of an excellent college application requires a solid foundation (GPA, SAT or ACT scores, AP classes, etc.), what really sets top-tier students apart from their peers is a dedication to offering something original and honing their own unique sense of self.
It's harder than ever for students to stand out when they apply to college. Strong ACT or SAT scores will make them leap out from the pack. Test Prep Gurus teaches students how to raise ACT and SAT scores so they can reach their goals for college and beyond.
The path to your dream college starts with 3 easy steps:
1) Complete free mock ACT and SAT exams.
2) Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to review your exam results.
3) Create a 1-on-1 test prep plan to reach your goals for college and beyond.
Why Should Students Be Encouraged to Set Goals for the Future?
SMART goal setting is the process of identifying future objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. It has been shown to result in increased focus, motivation, accountability, performance, personal development, and a sense of accomplishment.
There are several studies that demonstrate the importance of goal setting. One of the most well-known is a study by Edwin A. Locke and Gary P. Latham, two leading researchers in the field of goal setting and motivation. Their study, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, found that individuals who set specific, difficult goals for themselves performed better than those who set easy or no goals at all. They also found that people who received feedback on their progress toward their goals performed better than those who did not receive feedback.
However, it's important to keep in mind that goal setting alone is not enough, and that it must be combined with other strategies such as planning, commitment, and persistence to achieve success.
Test preparation ties in well with SMART goal setting —
Specific: When we work with students, we help them to focus on specific goals for the future to increase their motivation. We start with questions such as:
“Who do you want to be in the future and what type of work sounds interesting?” and “What are some things you would like to accomplish in the future?”
From there, we backtrack to “What colleges might help propel you toward becoming that person and doing those things?”
Then we move on to “What grades and scores will you need to be competitive at those colleges?”
By setting specific, personal goals, students know why their putting the work into a test prep program and are all the more successful for it.
Measurable: For all the drawbacks of standardized exams, one of the upsides is that they are inherently measurable. When students put in the work with seasoned test prep professionals, their scores are going to go up — and best of all, they can see their objective improvement in real-time with each practice exam they take. In test prep, success builds on success, creating a virtuous cycle for the future.
Attainable: One of the keys to earning huge improvements on the ACT or SAT, is to set small goals within the larger goals. It can be daunting to set a goal to improve 5 composite points on the ACT (equal to +200 points on the SAT). A more effective approach might be to aim to improve by one composite point every time you take a monthly mock exam. Every time you improve, even by a single point, celebrate the victory! After five months of small victories, you’ll hit your larger goal of a five-point improvement (+200 on the SAT).
Relevant: Once you have an idea of colleges you might want to attend, and what scores will be required to be competitive, the test process becomes obviously relevant to achieving your goals for the future. Suddenly, ACT or SAT prep doesn’t feel like extra homework, it feels like actively working to achieve your dreams.
Time-bound: It’s important to create your test prep programs with specific official exams in mind. When a student knows what they’re working for, how to achieve it, and when it has to be done, there is often no holding them back.
If you’re interested in learning more about creating a 1-on-1 test prep plan with one of our Directors, contact us below.
College Admission Secrets -- Interview with former Dean of Admissions at Harvey Mudd College
We have exciting news!
Our CEO, Nick Standlea, recently sat down for a conversation with a legend in the world of college admissions.
Deren Finks is the former Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at Harvey Mudd College (one of the five Claremont Colleges).
In the interview Nick picks Deren's brain on a variety of topics, including:
How to craft a personal statement that will catch the attention of selective colleges
The role of standardized test scores in the new landscape of test-optional colleges
How families can maximize their financial aid in scholarships and grants
We hope you enjoy the interview!
Topics Covered:
0:00 Introduction of Deren Finks, former Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at Harvey Mudd College (one of the five Claremont Colleges)
2:02 What excites you about being a college counselor?
4:25 Tell me about a student that surprised you...
10:42 The #1 mistake kids make applying to college
15:53 How does college admissions work?
26:48 How do the personal statement, letters of rec, grades, scores, activities, etc., come together to create a narrative about a student?
32:05 How to ask for letters of recommendation?
40:26 How is the admissions process different at a large public university such as UCLA?
41:40 How are ACT and SAT scores used in college admissions today?
47:47 How has college admissions changed in the past 10 or 20 years?
54:04 Financial Aid and the cost of college today
Perfect ACT Score, Mira Costa High School Junior, R.A. !!!
Congratulations to to Mira Costa Junior, R.A., who worked with us this Summer and earned a perfect 36 on the July ACT!
“She worked very hard, which is always the key ingredient. In the last lesson, I couldn’t find a math question that she wasn’t able to solve, so I knew a perfect score was possible. I’m so excited that she executed under pressure. Way to go!”
R.A.’s Math and Science Instructor
“She trusted the techniques and spent the necessary time to make them second nature. There is nothing more satisfying to me as a teacher to see a student reach their potential!”
R.A.’s Verbal Instructor
Click below to learn more about preparing your son or daughter for the ACT or SAT
Insider Tips for ISEE Testing
You have questions, we have answers…
Can it be helpful for students to take the ISEE test more than once?
Yes! We recommend students take the ISEE twice. They should prep for the first test, then continue prep until the second test.
Taking the ISEE twice has several advantages. Students often feel less anxious the second time they take the exam, which in itself can improve their performance. Taking the exam a second time also affords the student the opportunity to review the results of the first test with their instructors. Lesson plans can then be customized based on the results of the first official exam to maximize gains on the second exam.
When can you test and how many times?
Students may register to take the ISEE up to three times in a 12-month admission cycle, once in each of three testing seasons.
The three testing seasons are:
Fall (August-November),
Winter (December-March),
Spring/Summer (April-July)
*This means your student can test once in October or November, and then again in December or January.
How will schools see my scores?
Families will automatically receive their student's score report and are not required to indicate a school recipient of the scores when the student tests. We recommend students DO NOT automatically share their scores with any schools before reviewing them in the context of the specific independent schools to which they will be applying.
In short, wait to see the scores before sending them to schools.
Please note that score reports do not indicate how many times your student has taken the ISEE.
Can I send a partial score report?
It is important to note that only a complete score report can be sent to a school; this means families cannot select only portions of a report (such as just the Math or just the Verbal) to share, nor can they select one section of scores from one ISEE test and another section of scores from a different ISEE test.
However, if you choose to send multiple score reports, most schools will view all scores sent to them and use the highest score from each section; if your child performed better on Math on one test but Verbal on the other, they will use the highest score from each test. Note that specific scoring policies are up to specific schools to decide and vary from one institution to another.
ISEE Prep
We focus on content, time-management, and test-taking strategies to maximize your child's score. All teaching is customized to meet your student's specific needs.
If needed, Test Prep Gurus has instructors who have experience working with students with learning differences and special needs.
Registration:
If you are registering for the ISEE, use this ISEE Test Date Finder to find dates and locations.
If you are registering for the SSAT, register here.
*Remember, your child can take the ISEE and SSAT tests multiple times to achieve the best results!
Our teachers book up early every season, so contact us now to determine the best teacher-student fit for your child and get started.
Video: Position Your Student for Success: ACT, SAT, and College Admissions
Do you want to know how to position your student to get into their dream colleges?
Some stats you may find surprising:
More than 90% of colleges still accept the ACT and SAT
Students are admitted to USC 40% more often when they submit an ACT or SAT score, and nearly twice as often at Notre Dame.
ACT and SAT scores can be the key to winning scholarships of $100,000 or more
The way colleges use the ACT and SAT has changed. Get the inside track from Test Prep Gurus' CEO Nick Standlea on how to position your son or daughter to reach their goals for the future.
Specific issues include:
The new role of ACT and SAT in college admissions
What colleges really mean by "test-optional," "test-blind," and "test-preferred"
How to determine if you need to test or not
The role of ACT and SAT scores in scholarships and merit-aid
The advantage of Early Action applications
What is superscoring and how students can use it
Changes to the admissions policies at the UCs and Cal States
Grade-by-grade "next steps" to prepare for the future
Nick has presented on college admissions for more than 17 years. His webinars regularly draw thousands of views with an average 4.9 out of 5 stars!
Click below to schedule a live talk at your school, NCL chapter, or organization
Free Webinar -- Position Your Student for Success: ACT, SAT, and College Admissions
Do you want to know how to position your student to get into their dream colleges?
Some stats you may find surprising:
More than 90% of colleges still accept the ACT and SAT
Students are admitted to USC 40% more often when they submit an ACT or SAT score, and nearly twice as often at Notre Dame.
ACT and SAT scores can be the key to winning scholarships of $100,000 or more
The way colleges use the ACT and SAT has changed. Contrary to the portrayal in the media, the hard data shows that standardized tests are still the best way to leap out from the pack when you apply to colleges. Don't miss your chance to learn how to turn standardized testing into your secret advantage!
Get the inside track from Test Prep Gurus' CEO Nick Standlea on how to position your son or daughter to reach their goals for the future.
Specific issues will include:
The new role of ACT and SAT testing in college admissions
What "test-optional," "test-blind," and "test-preferred," really mean
Do you need to test or can you go test-optional?
How to win scholarships and merit-aid
The advantage of Early Action applications
Superscoring the ACT and SAT
Changes to the admissions policies at UCs and Cal States
What parents need to do today to prepare their children for applying to college in the future
How to determine what scores you need based on your goals for college
How to create a test prep plan, and more...
Nick has presented on college admissions for more than 17 years. His webinars regularly draw thousands of views with an average 4.9 out of 5 stars!
UCI denied 80% of California applicants vs just 26% of out-of-state applicants
Did you know that in 2021, California students were 3.67 times less likely to be admitted to UC Irvine than out-of-state students?
Put another way, UCI denied 80% of California applicants vs just 26% of out-of-state applicants.
The trend is similar with all of the competitive UC campuses, with the exception of UC Berkeley.
See the chart below--
In light of this trend, it is in every California student's best interest to keep their options for college open and consider colleges outside the UCs.
How does a student stand out from the pack when applying to selective colleges outside the UC system?
ACT and SAT scores.
In the pie-chart below you can see that the percentage of four-year colleges that are "test-blind" is very small (mostly, it's the UCs and Cal States). While the vast majority of other colleges are "test-optional," meaning that they will accept an ACT or SAT.
ACT/SAT Required: 5.8%
Test-Blind (Do not consider ACT/SAT scores): 8.4%
Test-Optional (ACT/SAT scores can boost a student’s application): 85.9%
(These numbers are subject to change in the future. The above graph was created in April 2022.)
Now, the big question? Do ACT and SAT scores help students gain admission to selective colleges?
The chart below tells a story. The grey bars are the admit rates for students applying without an ACT/SAT score, while the red bars are for students applying with a score. As you can see, the red bars are much higher.
A few highlights:
Notre Dame: Students were nearly twice as likely to be accepted to Notre Dame with an ACT or SAT score.
USC: Students with an ACT or SAT score were accepted 30% more often.
Boston: Students without scores had an admission rate of 14%. Students with scores had an admission rate of 25%.
Conclusion:
If you're going to apply to colleges outside of the UCs, there is a simple 3-step plan to help you reach your goals for the future:
1) Prepare for the ACT or SAT
2) Raise Your Scores
3) Stand Out from the Pack
How Many Colleges Accept ACT and SAT? (Probably More Than You Think)
The vast majority of colleges are test-optional. This means that they consider ACT and SAT scores if students include them in their applications.
ACT/SAT Required: 5.8%
Test-Blind (Do not consider ACT/SAT scores): 8.4%
Test-Optional (ACT/SAT scores can boost a student’s application): 85.9%
(These numbers are subject to change in the future. The above graph was created in April 2022.)
If most colleges accept ACT and SAT scores, it begs the question… does it help to submit scores?
The latest data from selective colleges that publicize their admission stats strongly suggest that scores make a big difference.
As seen above:
Notre Dame: Students were nearly twice as likely to be accepted to Notre Dame with an ACT or SAT score.
USC: Students with an ACT or SAT score were accepted 30% more often.
Boston: Students without scores had an admission rate of 14%. Students with scores had an admission rate of 25%.
Why do colleges still prefer to use an ACT or SAT score if it’s available to them? The dean of admissions from Yale put it very succinctly:
“Test scores are the single most effective factor in predicting a student’s first-year and four-year grade point average.”
It should also be noted that ACT and SAT scores are still strongly linked to scholarships. This past year, we had two students that applied to TCU with very similar credentials. The big difference was that one submitted an ACT score of 31, while the other did not submit a score.
Both students were admitted to TCU, excellent news!
However, the student with the test score received $144,000 in scholarship money that won’t have to be paid back. The student without a test score will have to pay for her full education out-of-pocket and through loans.
Conclusion:
Preparing for an ACT or SAT is one of the best investments a family can make in their student’s future.
Start preparing today with a free mock exam.
MIT will once again require applicants to take the SAT or ACT
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology announced it will once again require applicants to take the SAT or ACT, reversing a Covid-era policy that made the standardized tests optional and rejecting the idea that the tests hurt diversity.
“Our research shows standardized tests help us better assess the academic preparedness of all applicants, and also help us identify socioeconomically disadvantaged students who lack access to advanced coursework or other enrichment opportunities that would otherwise demonstrate their readiness for MIT,” Dean of Admissions Stu Schmill wrote in a blog post Monday. “We believe a requirement is more equitable and transparent than a test-optional policy.”
“Our research has shown that, in most cases, we cannot reliably predict students will do well at MIT unless we consider standardized test results alongside grades, coursework, and other factors. These findings are statistically robust and stable over time, and hold when you control for socioeconomic factors and look across demographic groups. And the math component of the testing turns out to be most important.”
*For the full article from MIT: https://news.mit.edu/2022/stuart-schmill-sat-act-requirement-0328
For more information on how to prepare for the SAT or ACT and build skills for high school, college, and beyond contact us:
Does it help to submit an ACT or SAT score? What the data tells us
Are students more likely to gain admission to selective colleges if they submit ACT/SAT scores?
This is a burning question for many families today.
The table above depicts the difference in admission percentages at a variety of selective colleges over the last two admission cycles between students who did not submit ACT/SAT scores and those that did submit ACT/SAT scores.
Grey Bars: Admission percentages for students who did not submit ACT or SAT scores.
Red Bars: Admission percentages for students who did submit ACT or SAT scores.
The above data strongly indicates that when applying to selective colleges, it is to students’ advantage to earn strong scores on standardized exams.
Highlights:
Notre Dame: Students were nearly twice as likely to be accepted to Notre Dame with an ACT or SAT score.
USC: Students with an ACT or SAT score were accepted 30% more often.
Boston: Students without scores had an admission rate of 14%. Students with scores had an admission rate of 25%.
““Test scores are the single most effective factor in predicting a student’s first-year and four-year grade point average.””
But don’t take our word for it, colleges are expressing their preferences publicly:
“Scores help differentiate amongst applicants with similarly high grades, and also help students who do not have equitable access to high-level courses demonstrate college readiness.” - MIT
“While high school grades are a strong predictor for academic success in college, the combination of grades and standardized test scores has been shown to strengthen that prediction…we still find value in scores if you choose to send them.” - Northwestern
Test scores do add information that admissions officers find useful in assessing a student's preparation, and how a student compares to the applicant pool as a whole. There were certainly some students where we wish we'd had scores and we didn't.” - Duke
Contact us to learn more about preparing your student to reach his or her scoring potential on the ACT or SAT.