myUsearch blog

It’s ironic that the ACT (American College Testing) exam was created back in 1959 by a group of educators who hoped that it would replace the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) because it would be better.  But like a lot of things intended to make life better for students, the test actually made things a bit worse, because now most students take both tests and submit the results of the one that makes them look stronger.

Actually, taking both tests just to see how well you do is not a bad strategy. But when you look at the ACT vs. SAT question, you discover that you really could be likely to score better on one test than on the other. Each test favors certain types of test-takers and here’s a quick rundown of how the tests differ:

photo by cheese roc

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It’s just minutes before your SAT test is about to begin. You’re nervous. You’re anxious. “Will my test preparation methods pay off?” “Will my scores be high enough to be accepted to my first college choice?” Those feelings are standard for any student, but some new studies explain why some SAT test prep methods might be outdated. The study calls for students to step up their test prep game and here are just a few ways to do it. (more…)

As a general rule, universities will accept either of these exams, but how do you know which test is best for you? (more…)

Today we have a guest post By Jennifer Cohen, President and Chief Word-Nerd at Word-Nerd.com, a great resource for SAT and PSAT vocabulary prep.

Ask anyone this question, and they’ll answer “YES” so fast it could make your head spin like Linda Blair’s in The Exorcist.  SAT preparation is a billion-dollar industry, and the big test prep companies prey on the anxieties of parents and students.  You might hear the wailing of these poor souls, fearful that a score less than 1800 will mean that no college will accept him or her.  Thankfully, the insanity isn’t really based in reality, and a high SAT score may not be as critical as you think.

Photo by Cheese Roc

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Though people to continue to debate the value of standardized testing in making college admissions decisions, it is still an important part of the college admissions process.  Faced with the need to submit scores from these tests, students must tackle the quandary of  ACT vs SAT.  Here is some information that may help you decide what  your personal test taking strategy should be. (more…)

Today we have a guest post from Jennifer Cohen, President and Chief Word-Nerd at Word-Nerd.com SAT Vocabulary Prep.

College entrance exams require a great investment of time, effort and money, so choosing which one to take is no small task.  The SAT and ACT are similar in some ways, but very different in others.  Rumors tend to make their way through high schools regarding the difficulty and desirability of one test over the other.  Here’s some straightforward information to set the record straight.

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Today we have a guest post from Jennifer Cohen, President and Chief Word-Nerd at Word-Nerd.com SAT Vocabulary Prep.

Summer is the ideal time to study for the SAT!  Your time is your own (at least it’s a lot more your own than it is during the school year).  During the summer, you should still spend a lot of your time relaxing, but a couple of hours of SAT prep each week shouldn’t be overly taxing.  The keys to making the most of the summer are:

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Today we have a guest post from Jennifer Cohen, the President and Chief Word-Nerd at Word-Nerd.com SAT Vocabulary Prep.

If you hang around online college admission forums, this particular question seems to come up often.  There’s no doubt that the SAT and other college entrance exams have become big business.  Students are bombarded with advertisements constantly – I’ve even heard that sales people from prep companies lurk outside of SAT test centers to catch students coming out of the exam!  The abundance of classes can make it seem like every college bound student is taking them.  Students may find themselves begging their parents to shell out hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars for these classes.  The good news is that motivated students can absolutely do their college entrance exam prep at home with a minimum of expense.

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Today we have a guest post from Jennifer Cohen, the President and Chief Word-Nerd at Word-Nerd.com SAT Vocabulary Prep.

Summer is the ideal time to focus on getting ready for college entrance exams, like the SAT.  You’re free from school, homework assignments and extracurriculars that demand most of your time during nine months of the year.  During those three months of summer, you should still spend a lot of your time relaxing and recharging for the school year ahead, but a couple of hours of SAT prep each week shouldn’t cut into your loafing schedule too much!  The keys to making the most of the summer are:

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Today we have a guest post from Jennifer Cohen, the President and Chief Word-Nerd at Word-Nerd.com SAT Vocabulary Prep.

Learning vocabulary often doesn’t come easy, and most students prepping for the SAT need at least some vocabulary review.  This is especially true for those hoping to score high and apply to the most competitive schools.  Thankfully, vocabulary prep does not have to be painful.  Here are five ways to make sure you know what “adroit” means on test day:

Photo by cheese roc 

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Today we have a guest post from Emily Holleman. Emily Holleman is a Content Developer at Knewton, where she helps students rock their SAT prep.

Over the course of your junior and senior years, you’ll be bombarded by a seemingly endless stream of questions—Where do you want to go to college? How many schools should you apply to? What classes/activities/sports/volunteer work/color-scheme will look best on your application? Even, which test you should take: the ACT or the SAT or (heaven forbid) BOTH? This is one decision you shouldn’t stress too much about. The truth is, most students do about the same on both tests—and the majority of colleges now accept scores from either test.

Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the two to help you decide which test is right for you:
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Today we have a guest post from Jennifer Cohen, the President and Chief Word-Nerd at Word-Nerd.com SAT Vocabulary Prep.

The SAT can strike fear in the hearts of parents and students alike.  Knowing that one test can have a major affect on your future can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be a source of dread. With the right preparation, you can score well.  Here are a few general tips for getting on track with the SAT: 

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Today we have a guest post from Ryan Krug over at Mindfish.com. Ryan Krug, a Stanford grad who rocked the SAT when he applied to college, is the co-founder of Mindfish.com, a test prep site that offers expert advice, forums and an SAT Quest game to help students master the SAT and boost their chances for college admissions.

Although the standardized test process is fraught with challenges for many student and parents, it can be a smooth journey if approached in the right way. The following are several of the most common test prep blunders to avoid.

Photo by Robert S. Donovan 

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The year-round cycle of college entrance exams is truly impressive. Just last week I learned that there are some schools which are now utilizing the SAT college entrance exam writing section as the gauge for freshman composition courses. I’m not referring to large publics. No. On this list were some very small private universities and colleges. Why are we being told that the writing section of the SAT or the ACT college entrance exam doesn’t matter when it so clearly does? What should the students focus on in order to gain their best admission opportunity when it comes to these college entrance exams? And how far should a student go to make the exam convey who they want to be, as opposed to just who they are?

 Photo by Cushing Memorial Library and Archives Texas A&M 

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