Podcasts by Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Industry Podcast

442. TEST PREP PROFILE: Josh D'Alemberte from 2023-02-03T11:00

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441. TEST PREP PROFILE: Kelly Finn from 2023-02-02T11:00

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440. TEST PREP PROFILE: Samiya Cogmon from 2023-02-01T11:00

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439. TEST PREP PROFILE: Greg Hudson from 2023-01-31T11:00

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438. TEST PREP PROFILE: Stacey Howe-Lott from 2023-01-30T11:00

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437. GAME-BASED LEARNING from 2023-01-27T11:00

Education is serious business but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be fun! Amy and Mike invited educator Julie Post to share the latest tips and tools for game-bas...

436. ASSESSING COLLEGE FINANCIAL VIABILITY from 2023-01-24T11:00

The foundations of higher education are shifting, often subtly but sometimes with seismic force. Case in point, a confluence of economic, societal, and demographi...

328. CONCERNS ABOUT COLLEGE STAFFING TRENDS from 2022-05-03T10:00

As we observe over and over, the cost of college increases every year. But if you think that additional funding is going to faculty, you are probably wrong. Amy a...

327. TEST PREP PROFILE: Tom Ehlers from 2022-04-29T10:00

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326. TEST PREP PROFILE: Julie Blumenfeld from 2022-04-28T10:00

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325. TEST PREP PROFILE: Julie Post from 2022-04-27T10:00

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324. TEST PREP PROFILE: Justin Menda from 2022-04-26T10:00

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323. TEST PREP PROFILE: Olivia Jones from 2022-04-25T10:00

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322. RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN COLLEGE from 2022-04-22T10:00

Most investors scrutinize and strategize for every fractional point of return they can muster. Yet, one major expense–sometimes, the largest single bill in a pers...

321. IMPROVING READING SKILLS WITH STRUGGLING TEENS (PART 2) from 2022-04-19T10:00

When evaluating grades and test results, we take for granted that most high schoolers know how to read and look to other reasons to explain poor performance. But ...

320. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS INSANITY from 2022-04-15T10:00

The fact that selective admissions has become more and more of a high-stakes competition has never been more apparent than it is today. While competition inspires...

319. WHAT EDUCATORS SHOULD UNDERSTAND ABOUT GENDER from 2022-04-12T10:00

Gender and sexuality are often assumed to be similar concepts, but they are definitely not the same. Since teachers and tutors depend on building strong rapport w...

318. YIN AND YANG IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS from 2022-04-08T10:00

The Chinese philosophical concept of yin and yang describes how forces that appear opposite or contrary may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interde...

317. WHAT IS THE TOEFL? from 2022-04-05T10:00

In every country around the world, some student is dreaming of pursuing higher education at an English-speaking university. Admissions exams like the SAT and ACT ...

316. IEC PROFILE: Eileen Sullivan Studdert from 2022-04-01T10:00

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315. IEC PROFILE: Lisa Hillhouse from 2022-03-31T10:00

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314. IEC PROFILE: Stuart Nachbar  from 2022-03-30T10:00

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313. IEC PROFILE: Barbara Pasalis from 2022-03-29T10:00

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312. IEC PROFILE: Lee Norwood from 2022-03-28T10:00

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311. IMPROVING READING SKILLS WITH STRUGGLING TEENS (PART 1) from 2022-03-25T10:00

When evaluating grades and test results, we take for granted that most high schoolers know how to read and look to other reasons to explain poor performance. But ...

310. LETTERS OF CONTINUED INTEREST from 2022-03-22T10:00

When Yogi Berra observed, "It ain't over till it's over," he wasn’t talking about college admissions. He may as well have, though, as even an initial deferral or ...

309. HOW TO PREPARE FOR A COLLEGE ADMISSIONS INTERVIEW from 2022-03-18T10:00

Of all the factors in the college admissions process, few seem as subjective or elusive as the interview. Do these even happen any more? Amy and Mike invited auth...

308. NEGOTIATING A FINANCIAL AWARD LETTER with college cost advocate Mark Salisbury from 2022-03-15T10:00

College represents one of those backwards pursuits where buyers sell themselves to vendors before they even know the price of enrollment. Is the admissions proces...

307. WHY YOU WANT TO WORK WITH A CAREER TUTOR with educator Anthony Celino from 2022-03-11T11:00

The interaction between tutor and student must always be more than just an automated recitation of facts to a passive learner.  An educational collaboration rarel...

306. PSYCHOGRAPHICS IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS with educational consultant David Viggiano from 2022-03-08T11:00

Every person has particular psychological and cognitive attributes that reveal their beliefs, values, and goals. Believe it or not, schools possess the same, and ...

305. OVERLOOKED ASPECTS OF CAMPUS LIFE from 2022-03-04T11:00

Most college searches focus on factors like majors, rankings, and cost but ignore most of the features of a school that define the college experience. Amy and Mik...

304. WHAT IS A NET PRICE CALCULATOR? from 2022-03-01T11:00

Most of us live within a carefully planned budget, where we spend based on anticipated costs and expenses. But how can we predict the cost of a college applicatio...

303. TEST PREP PROFILE: Shayda Moshirvaziri from 2022-02-25T11:00

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302. TEST PREP PROFILE: Blake Shealy from 2022-02-24T11:00

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301. TEST PREP PROFILE: Manjri Gupta from 2022-02-23T11:00

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300. TEST PREP PROFILE: Travis Minor from 2022-02-22T11:00

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299. TEST PREP PROFILE: Ashley Boggs from 2022-02-21T11:00

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298. WHY REMOTE TUTORING IS HERE TO STAY from 2022-02-18T11:00

Up until 2020, not many educators or students had direct experience with live online instruction, but once COVID arrived, everyone did. Was this just a passing ph...

297. COMMON MISTAKES IN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS from 2022-02-15T11:00

Many families envision scholarships as a substantial contributor to an expensive college education. Yet surprisingly few have any experience actually getting thos...

296. SELF-ADVOCACY IN EDUCATION AND ADMISSIONS from 2022-02-11T11:00

The Talmud teaches that a timid person cannot learn. While well-intentioned adults might negotiate obstacles and opportunities for teens, the most successful stud...

295. WOULD ELIMINATING TESTS MAKE EDUCATION MORE EQUITABLE? from 2022-02-08T11:00

Inequitable access to high-quality education harms all of us in society, particularly the least advantaged among us. Yet some efforts to mitigate the advantages o...

294. FLORIDA BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP from 2022-02-04T11:00

Some states find innovative and generous ways to support higher education for their residents, and Florida is one of them. As the first of what will be an ongoing...

293. THE CASE FOR TUITION-FREE COLLEGE from 2022-02-01T11:00

The economic benefits of a college degree are not just to individual learners but entire towns, counties, states, and countries as a whole. So why don’t we as a s...

292. IEC PROFILE: Parke Muth from 2022-01-28T11:00

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291. IEC PROFILE: Sandy Andolsek from 2022-01-27T11:00

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290. FIRST THOUGHTS ON THE NEW DIGITAL SAT from 2022-01-26T17:00

When a test as influential and controversial as the SAT faces a new iteration, people take notice. But when that same test will be administered in an entirely new...

289. IEC PROFILE: Alan Sheptin from 2022-01-26T11:00

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288. IEC PROFILE: Kristina Dooley from 2022-01-25T11:00

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287. IEC PROFILE: Zach Galin from 2022-01-24T11:00

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286. ALL ABOUT THE LSAT from 2022-01-21T11:00

The attainment of a law degree in the United States is bookended by two essential standardized tests. While work in the legal field depends on passing at least on...

285. WHAT DO COLLEGES KNOW ABOUT APPLICANTS? from 2022-01-18T11:00

The odds that any individual college applicant will accept, enroll, and persist to graduation may not mean much to a given institution, but those same numbers for...

284. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES PRICING MODELS from 2022-01-14T11:00

Curriculum, structure, and delivery of educational services like academic tutoring and test prep tend to vary widely. So why is there so little diversity in the w...

283. WHY GIFTED PROGRAMS ARE UNDER ATTACK from 2022-01-11T11:00

Anyone who has ever sat in a classroom knows that some students need a higher level of academic enrichment and challenge than others. When did such a fundamental ...

282. EARNING ADVANCE COLLEGE CREDIT from 2022-01-07T11:00

We often talk about how expensive a college education can be, but we don’t explore often enough how to make earning a degree less expensive. Amy and Mike invited ...

281. HISTORY AND FUTURE OF THE TESTS AND THE REST SUMMITS from 2022-01-04T11:00

The Tests and the Rest podcast has always focused in part on celebrating and supporting amazing test prep professionals. Why, then, are we ending our successful r...

280. TEST PREP PROFILE: Pranoy Mohapatra from 2021-12-31T11:00

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279. TEST PREP PROFILE: Nikki Highfield from 2021-12-30T11:00

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278. TEST PREP PROFILE: Steve Feldman from 2021-12-29T11:00

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277. TEST PREP PROFILE: Alice Humbracht from 2021-12-28T11:00

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276. TEST PREP PROFILE: Ian Siegel from 2021-12-27T11:00

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275. Alternative Pricing Strategies In Higher Education from 2021-12-24T11:00

The cost of college has defied economic logic for decades but cannot rise exponentially forever. How can schools align tuition costs with what students want and n...

274. How To Prepare For SAT Math from 2021-12-21T11:00

Math has been cornerstone content of the SAT since its inception nearly a century ago. What math is tested and how to prepare for it, however, evolves endlessly. ...

273. Distance Learning In Higher Education from 2021-12-17T13:00

Not so long ago, distance learning was mostly seen as a futuristic experiment in education. Then all instruction moved online. Where are we now, and where are we ...

272. Academic Success For Neurodivergent Students from 2021-12-14T11:00

While American culture celebrates individual differences and promotes diversity, many of our societal systems struggle with anyone who deviates too far from an ac...

271. Should I Take The ACT Writing Test? from 2021-12-10T11:00

Nearly 20 years ago, colleges asked for standardized essay sections on admissions tests because applicants arrived on campus with deficient writing skills. Yet to...

270. Attending A College In Canada from 2021-12-07T11:00

U.S students often imagine the opportunity to study abroad as a path to experiencing cultures radically different than their own. Is there a benefit, though, to c...

269. Cheating And Plagiarism Software from 2021-12-03T11:00

Schooling and cheating share a long and sordid history. But what can educators do when the technology to undermine academic integrity advances faster than convent...

268. Myths About Testing And College Sports from 2021-11-30T11:00

The opportunity to compete athletically on the college level--while winning scholarships for doing so--has always been connected to SAT and ACT scores. What’s cha...

267. When Borrowing For School Is A Bad Idea from 2021-11-26T11:00

Most students and their families enter the college admissions process fully expecting to take out tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans. ...

266. What Is The ISEE? from 2021-11-23T11:00

The various versions of high school admissions tests may be even more confusing than those for college or graduate school. As part of our series on HS admissions ...

265. IEC PROFILE: Kevin Newton from 2021-11-19T11:00

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264. IEC PROFILE: Aly Beaumont from 2021-11-18T11:00

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263. IEC PROFILE: Steven Mercer from 2021-11-17T11:00

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262. IEC PROFILE: Julie Kim from 2021-11-16T11:00

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261. IEC PROFILE: Phil Black from 2021-11-15T11:00

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260. ACT Reading Reporting Categories from 2021-11-12T11:00

While nearly all high schoolers arrive at the ACT able to read, their levels of mastery often seem spotty at best. How can test takers determine where their readi...

259. Tutoring Treasures: Tips For Teaching Teens from 2021-11-09T11:00

Tutoring at its best entails so much more than a mechanical transfer of information designed to improve a grade or score. An authentic student-teacher relationshi...

258. Avoiding The Pageant Approach To College Admissions from 2021-11-05T10:00

Traditional beauty pageants typify the kind of competition where contestants do everything possible to be judged positively by a group of complete strangers. Unfo...

257. Big Tests As Fateful Rites Of Passage from 2021-11-02T10:00

Some challenges in life loom larger than others, fraught with the potential to immeasurably transform our lives for the better if only we can rise to the occasion...

256. Leveling The Playing Field from 2021-10-29T10:00

While we have no choice but to accept that life isn’t always fair, we can--and should--do much better to make sure education is always equitable. Amy and Mike inv...

255. Competitive Math And Testing from 2021-10-26T10:00

While many teens shudder at the prospect of adding math as an extracurricular activity, others relish the opportunity to engage in quantitative competitions. And ...

254. Using The Common Data Set from 2021-10-22T10:00

In a system where selective colleges benefit from as many applicants as possible even as acceptance becomes rarer than ever, smart applicants need to do more than...

253. The Unexpected Allure Of The Most Expensive Colleges from 2021-10-19T10:00

Higher education resembles most other goods and services in that price often increases with scarcity. In other contexts, though, the industry seems to defy econom...

252. Are IQ Tests Valid? from 2021-10-15T10:00

Most of us imagine that human intelligence is simply too complex and magical to measure in any reliable way. Why, then, do so many studies suggest otherwise?  Amy...

251. Success In Computer-Based Testing from 2021-10-12T10:00

Like it or not, most major assessment and admissions tests will eventually migrate to a digital platform, some sooner than you’d think. This need not be a cause f...

250. Test Prep Profile: Anna Solomon from 2021-10-08T10:00

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249. Test Prep Profile: Adam Snoza from 2021-10-07T10:00

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248. Test Prep Profile: Leia LeMaster Horton from 2021-10-06T10:00

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247. Test Prep Profile: Alex Chip from 2021-10-05T10:00

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246. Test Prep Profile: Jen Henson from 2021-10-04T10:00

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245. Where Modern Education Fails from 2021-10-01T10:00

So many aspects of modern life represent obvious improvements over past practices. So why does it feel like we’re not consistently applying what we’ve learned abo...

244. Top Lessons For ACT Science from 2021-09-28T10:00

The existence of a science test sets the ACT apart from all other college entrance exams. What should a student do to be set apart from peers on this challenging ...

243. What Is The SHSAT? from 2021-09-24T10:00

The various versions of high school admissions tests may be even more confusing than those for college or graduate school. As part of our series on HS admissions ...

242. How To Write A Standout Letter Of Recommendation from 2021-09-21T10:00

The aspect of a college application that lies most outside an applicant’s control is the recommendation. How can recommendation writers and requesters alike get t...

241. The Future Of AP Exams from 2021-09-17T10:00

Advanced Placement (AP) classes and exams set the standard for academic rigor for millions of high school students every year. Will this continue to be the case o...

240. Demographic Trends And College Admissions from 2021-09-14T10:00

If the success of educational institutions depends on a steady and predictable flow of incoming students, what does the American “birth dearth” forebode for the f...

239. The Truth About Student Loan Debt from 2021-09-10T10:00

A four-year degree may be one of the most expensive investments a person can make, especially when we expect teenagers to make life-defining financial decisions w...

238. Overworked School Counselors from 2021-09-07T10:00

Now more than ever, high school counselors are turned to for social-emotional counseling PLUS college and career guidance PLUS academic planning PLUS anything and...

237. Vocabulary On The SAT&ACT from 2021-09-03T10:00

For generations, the term “SAT word” has been synonymous with extremely challenging or esoteric vocabulary words. But does the phrase even still apply? Amy and Mi...

236. Technology As An Enabler In Education from 2021-08-31T10:00

New hardware and software rarely introduce the sweeping improvements most adopters in education hope for, but the right ed tech can definitely facilitate powerful...

235. Test Prep Profile: Lori Tofexis from 2021-08-27T10:00

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234. Test Prep Profile: Jim Wismer from 2021-08-26T10:00

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233. Test Prep Profile: Marina Yalon from 2021-08-25T10:00

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232. Test Prep Profile: Alex Robayo from 2021-08-24T10:00

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231. Test Prep Profile: Susan Powers from 2021-08-23T10:00

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230. What Is The HSPT? from 2021-08-20T10:00

The various versions of high school admissions tests may be even more confusing than those for college or graduate school. For the first in a series on HS admissi...

229. Helping Teens Find Motivation And Insight from 2021-08-17T10:00

Most parents and educators seek to become the wind filling their children’s proverbial sails, but unwittingly become hurricanes driving them way off course. Amy a...

228. The Value Of Experience In Teachers from 2021-08-13T10:00

When Kant asserted that experience without theory is blind, but theory without experience is mere intellectual play, he might have been talking about education. A...

227. Strategies For Selecting A College Major On Time from 2021-08-10T10:00

The college experience is influenced not only by choice of major but by when that major is chosen.  Amy and Mike invited educator Lisa Marker-Robbins to provide s...

226. How To Build Relationships With Colleges from 2021-08-06T10:00

When a highly selective school receives ten or more times as many applications as available seats, the applicant pool seems like an anonymous, homogenous horde. H...

225. Calculator Usage On The SAT and ACT from 2021-08-03T10:00

A calculator on a high stakes test fits the classic definition of a double-edged sword: formidable in the hands of an expert but a liability for those who don’t k...

224. Alternatives To Multiple Choice from 2021-07-30T10:00

While standardized testing and multiple-choice items tend to go hand in hand, there’s a whole world of innovative assessment options beyond the classic stem-key-d...

223. Getting Ready For Graduate School from 2021-07-27T10:00

For many students, acceptance to college represents the last set of academic admissions hoops they’ll ever need to jump through. A whole new circus, however, awai...

222. Do Colleges Care About Their Applicants? from 2021-07-23T10:00

College applicants are often asked to demonstrate levels of interest that imply devotion, reverence, and unshakeable commitment. But do all schools reciprocate th...

221. The Benefits Of Joining A Fraternity from 2021-07-20T10:00

Fraternities seem synonymous in the minds of most Americans with the classic college experience. But are the preconceived notions of these groups always positive ...

220. ACT TIR&SAT QAS from 2021-07-16T10:00

Both College Board and ACT offer the opportunity to order copies of certain official test dates. Should students or teachers take advantage of this offer? Amy and...

219. Getting Off The College Waitlist from 2021-07-13T10:00

Landing on the waitlist of your top-choice school can sometimes feel more agonizing than outright rejection. But, as Cicero assures us, while there's life, there'...

218. Helping Teens Find Their Values And Purpose from 2021-07-09T10:00

We often frame college as a place young adults go to find themselves. Ironically, those teens who already have a strong sense of who they are and what they stand ...

217. Why Professionalism In Tutors Matters from 2021-07-06T10:00

In theory, anyone can identify as a tutor. In practice, not just anyone can be an amazing tutor. Experience, training, passion, and many more factors make a diffe...

216. Pros And Cons Of Writing An Educational Book from 2021-07-02T10:00

A great book makes both teaching and learning easy. Such a shame that writing a great educational book is anything but easy! Amy and Mike invited educator and aut...

215. Getting Into Medical School from 2021-06-29T10:00

Most of us understand at least intuitively how challenging the road to becoming a doctor is. Few realize, however, how hard just gaining admission to medical scho...

214. Helping Teens Fight Procrastination from 2021-06-25T10:00

Nobody doubts the efficiency of never putting off until tomorrow what you can do today. Why, then, is executing that strategy so difficult? Amy and Mike invited a...

213. Test Prep YouTube from 2021-06-22T10:00

Every day, people watch over a billion hours of video on YouTube. Is it possible to make just a little bit of that time educational?! Amy and Mike invited educato...

212. Preparation For Highly Selective College Admissions from 2021-06-18T10:00

While there are over 3,000 four-year colleges and universities in the United States, most conversation about higher education focuses on 5% of them at most. No wo...

211. Five Myths About Admissions Tests from 2021-06-15T10:00

Tests like the SAT and ACT are almost universally reviled by those who deem the tests not only worthless and self-referential but also key agents in educational i...

210. Test Prep Profile: Sheri Elmore from 2021-06-11T10:00

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209. Test Prep Profile: Vince Kotchian from 2021-06-10T10:00

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208. Test Prep Profile: Robin Satty from 2021-06-09T10:00

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207. Test Prep Profile: Alexis Avila from 2021-06-08T10:00

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206. Test Prep Profile: Laura Link from 2021-06-07T10:00

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205. World Tutors' Day from 2021-06-04T10:00

Tutors may be part of the educational ecosystem of any district, state, or country, but they tend to be forgotten when celebrations roll around. Don’t tutors dese...

204. Comparing Paper- And Computer- Based Testing from 2021-06-01T10:00

In an era when every other aspect of education has integrated at least some digital component, can we really expect standardized tests to stay the same as they ha...

203. High Priority SAT and ACT Topics from 2021-05-28T10:00

The SAT and ACT test a plethora of math, reading, and writing skills drawn from the full extent of a K-11 academic career. Considering the breadth of expertise re...

202. Crafting Your College Resume from 2021-05-25T10:00

When you hear “resume,” you probably think (perhaps with a shudder) of applying for a job. But since a document like this serves as a succinct summary of someone’...

201. How College Board and ACT Are Changing from 2021-05-21T10:00

While the College Board and ACT have become synonymous with the SAT and ACT respectively, the test makers strive to contribute much more than their flagship exams...

200. Executive Function and ADD/ADHD from 2021-05-18T10:00

Traditional schooling challenges even the most diligent learners, let alone those with attention deficit or hyperactivity. Luckily, there are a host of practical ...

199. Choosing Between AP and IB Programs from 2021-05-14T10:00

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs both set the standard for academic rigor in high school. But is one of them clearly better than the ot...

198. What To Eat And Not Eat For Test Day from 2021-05-11T10:00

Optimal performance in sports requires careful attention to nutrition. Why should optimal performance on grueling tests be any different?  Amy and Mike invited di...

197. All About The GRE from 2021-05-07T06:00

The end of college doesn’t necessarily mean the end of testing, as anyone who aspires to business, law, or graduate school knows well.  Amy and Mike invited educa...

196. Creating A Passion Project from 2021-05-04T10:00

Too many students believe that the process of putting together highly selective college applications should be a joyless grind. Why not follow your bliss to the s...

195. Test Prep Profile: Shane Bybee from 2021-04-30T10:00

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194. Test Prep Profile: Ariel Lieberman from 2021-04-29T10:00

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193. Test Prep Profile: Christopher Sanderson from 2021-04-28T10:00

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192. Test Prep Profile: Carmen Fernández de Tarrago from 2021-04-27T10:00

Meet Carmen Fernández, the founder of SATPrep DR, based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. A high school math teacher with 25+ years of experience, Carmen is a provider of test preparation tutor...

191. Test Prep Profile: Scott Greenspan from 2021-04-26T10:00

Meet Scott Greenspan, the founder/president of Span Test Prep in Glenview IL, which is located in the north suburbs of Chicago. 
For the last 25 years, Scott has helped over 4000 students reach...

190. The Price You Really Pay For College from 2021-04-23T10:00

We all know that college costs. But how much will a semester at a given college cost for you? Will that tuition differ from what others pay? Why is college so expensive anyway?  Amy and Mike invite...

189. The Growing Impact of Cheating During Covid from 2021-04-20T10:00

The global pandemic changed nearly everything about schooling and testing. One aspect of the academic experience, however, that might not have changed has been the willingness of some students to m...

188. How SAT and ACT Scores Highlight Educational Inequity from 2021-04-16T10:00

Pronounced differences in standardized test scores often manifest across racial and socioeconomic segments of districts, states, and the U.S. as a whole. Does this mean the tests are biased, or can...

187. What Is Scholarship Displacement? from 2021-04-13T10:00

We all know how valuable scholarship awards can be in defraying the high cost of education. But how many applicants recognize how often colleges subtract from their own aid packages the exact amoun...

186. Getting Into Business School from 2021-04-09T10:00

When more selective schools open doors to more substantial opportunities--and compensation-- gaining admission to the right MBA programs can be serious business! Amy and Mike invited test prep prof...

185. Incorporating Test Prep Into The High School Classroom from 2021-04-06T10:00

While teachers generally want students to be ready for the quizzes, exams, and finals associated with their curriculum, most shy away from focusing on state or national assessments. Too bad, really...

184. Demonstrating Leadership In College Applications from 2021-04-02T10:00

Leaders inspire others to make things happen. Colleges want students who make things happen. Seems like a natural fit, right? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Lt. Col. Lisa Hillhouse to ...

183. The Role Of Parents In The College Process from 2021-03-30T10:00

The road to college ideally ends when a student arrives at a school that aligns perfectly with both fit and ambition. So why do so many parents take the wheel?  Amy and Mike invited educational pla...

182. Test Prep Tik Tok from 2021-03-26T10:00

Keeping track of the newest social media platforms can be exhausting for many adults. Taking the time to figure out where teens focus their attention, though, offers a rare opportunity to deliver e...

181. Clarity In Educational Relationships from 2021-03-22T18:35:47

Every relationship depends on clear communication for success, including and especially those involving educators, students, and, when relevant, parents. Amy and Mike invited educational coach Mich...

180. The Heightened Need For Testing In 2021 from 2021-03-19T10:00

The global pandemic made standardized testing impractical for much of 2020. Before we get used to life without high-stakes exams--as lovely as that might sound--let’s consider what we lose when we ...

179. Using And Creating Educational Websites from 2021-03-16T10:00

Civilization has never before known the wealth of inexpensive and accessible educational resources that we find on the modern web. However, finding a great site is only the first step in learning f...

178. To IB Or Not To IB from 2021-03-12T11:00

Why is it that so many of us know so much about APs but so little about IB? Amy and Mike invited college coach Kim Raybuck to explain not just what International Baccalaureate programs are, but whe...

177. Athletic Recruiting Trends In 2021 from 2021-03-09T11:00

The rhythms and rituals of college athletic recruiting have traditionally mirrored the predictability of sports seasons themselves. Then came COVID. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Chad...

176. TEST PREP PROFILE: Silvia Eufinger from 2021-03-05T11:00

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? Meet Silvia Eufinger, co-founder of Edison Prep, based in Atlanta, GA. Silvia graduate...

175. TEST PREP PROFILE: Jeanne Lucas from 2021-03-04T11:00

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? Meet Jeanne Lucas. After over two decades of experience in education, Jeanne is no str...

174. TEST PREP PROFILE: Jason Robinovitz from 2021-03-03T11:00

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? Meet Jason Robinovitz, the Chief Operating Officer of all Score At The Top Learning Ce...

173. TEST PREP PROFILE: David Lynch from 2021-03-02T11:00

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? Meet David Lynch, the founder of StudyLark Test Prep. He has been working with student...

172. TEST PREP PROFILE: Mary Thomas from 2021-03-01T11:00

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? Meet Mary Thomas, founder of Test Prep Simplified, who has implemented her 24 years of...

171. ED Tech in 2021: Separating Fads From Sustainable Changes from 2021-02-26T11:00

The last year represented one of the most transformational periods in the history of education. Wondering what wonders the next year holds? Amy and Mike invited research consultant John Clark to se...

170. The 4 P's Of Student Engagement from 2021-02-23T11:00

A student who is engaged is a student ready to learn. A student who is not engaged… not so much. Amy and Mike invited educator Julia Silver to explain the 4 P’s of student engagement.

169. The SAT And ACT Are Classist Not Racist from 2021-02-19T11:00

If sheer volume and vehemence of accusations of racism were sufficient evidence, the case against standardized tests would be closed. But what if testing tilts in a different direction entirely? Am...

168. Executive Functions In Teens from 2021-02-16T11:00

In the old days, when high school and college students struggled with classes, we focused on academic tutoring. Why did it take so long to realize how essential motivation and productivity skills a...

167. The Necessity Of Gifted And Talented Programs from 2021-02-12T11:00

Nobody would argue that all students with special needs don’t deserve to be supported and provided the resources they need to thrive. Why, then, do students with special talents--particularly for a...

166. Innovative Partnerships In Higher Education from 2021-02-09T11:00

Colleges and universities struggled with challenges to profitability and program diversity before COVID-19 arrived, and the global pandemic certainly didn’t help matters! Amy and Mike invited highe...

165. Differences Between SAT And ACT Math from 2021-02-05T11:00

While the math sections of the SAT and ACT both challenge conceptual understanding and problem-solving across a broad range of similar topics, a closer look shows differing priorities between the t...

164. Don't Shoot The Messenger: What Testing Tells Us from 2021-02-02T11:00

Very few people truly love academic standardized testing, but animosity over assessments seems to increase in intensity every year. But are the exams themselves the problem or what their scores rev...

108. How IECS and Test Prep Professionals Can Work Together (Tests and the Rest Summit Panel) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Independent educational consultants and test prep professionals are natural partners, at least in theory. What are the keys to uncovering the kinds of productive synergies that benefit students, fa...

66. How To Win Local Scholarship Awards from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

When it comes to paying for college, we could all use a bit of help. Why, then, do so many families ignore easily accessible sources of college funding right in their own backyards?  Amy and Mike i...

65. In Defense Of State Tests from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Most of us intuitively understand why testing is necessary to assess learning outcomes. What is the problem, then, with attempting to accurately assess these outcomes beyond a school or district le...

64. Why Take A Gap Year? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The typical path for a student seeking higher education is to enter college right after high school. For what possible reason, then, would--or should--a teen consider deviating from that path to pu...

63. New Options For The ACT from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

There are so many decisions to be made on the path to college, including deciding which college entrance exam to take. ACT has announced new options coming for the ACT® test, starting with the Sept...

62. Looking For A Full Ride from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Every high school athlete dreams of playing for an elite college team, ideally with tuition, room, board, and all associated expenses covered. But how closely does that fantasy match reality? Amy a...

61. Attending An Historically Black College or University from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

American colleges and universities represent many of the highest ideals of an educated, democratic society, and few institutions of higher education are as quintessentially American as our historic...

60. Legal Issues For Educational Enterprises (Part 2) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

When you work in the business of education, you are bound to receive an education in business law. Don’t learn your legal lessons the hard way!  Amy and Mike invited attorney Matthew K. Seeley to t...

59. Legal Issues For Educational Enterprises (Part 1) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

When you work in the business of education, you are bound to receive an education in business law. Don’t learn your legal lessons the hard way!  Amy and Mike invi...

58. Keeping Student Data Private from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In the course of common school day activities, students share extensive personal data, completely oblivious to the many ways this information can be--and often is--exploited. Even the important col...

57. Attending University In Europe from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Colleges and universities in the United States draw international acclaim and interest. Why, then, might American students be wise to consider schooling abroad? Amy and Mike invited international e...

56. Emerging Trends in SAT and ACT Content from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Major revisions to the standardized college entrance exams come few, far between, and with great fanfare. Don’t take this to mean, however, that the SAT and ACT don’t change all the time bit by bit...

55. Reducing Friction in the College Admissions Process from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

While qualifying for admission to a competitive college or university requires endless hours of study and commitment, applying to such a school should not. Is the application process as difficult a...

54. What You Need To Know About Student Loans from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

While getting into college seems like a Herculean task requiring the collaboration and contributions of a team of experts, paying for college can--believe it or not--be even tougher. For example, n...

53. Gallup Alumni Survey and the Six College Experiences that Drive Success from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Since 2014, Gallup has investigated some of the most important outcomes of higher education through a survey of college graduates. What valuable lessons can future college students learn from the r...

52. Test Scores and the NCAA Clearinghouse from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Many high school students dream about playing sports on the college level. However, entering the application and recruitment process with low grades and test scores can be a nightmare for even the ...

51. Helping Students Prepare For The Demands Of College from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Success in tests, as in life, comes down to much more than just what you know. But where and how are students supposed to learn key skills like time management, organization, prioritization, and pr...

50. Utilizing A Reflection Journal To Prepare For Your College Essay from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The college essay provides teens their single best chance to speak from the heart and share something significant that does not come through the rest of the application. But what happens when a stu...

49. Does Where You Go To College Matter? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Many families embark on the college search process with a magical “dream school” in mind. But what if the dream doesn’t match the reality? Amy and Mike invited college consultant Lynn O’Shaughnessy...

48. How Test Prep And Sports Are Similar from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We live in a society where most people hate tests with the same intensity they love sports. Would this stark dichotomy exist if the many parallels between the two challenges were more widely known?...

47. Why Grade Inflation Is Harmful from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Grade inflation often seems like a trivial offense, a somewhat victimless crime. However, evidence suggests the exact opposite, that the practice undermines students, corrodes institutions, and per...

46. Attending A Community College from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

For many students, community college represents the path to academic and career success, while others only see a stop on a longer educational journey.  County by county and state by state, these in...

45. Executive Functioning Skills And Test Prep from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Success in tests, as in life, comes down to much more than just what you know. But where and how are students supposed to learn key skills like time management, organization, prioritization, and pr...

44. Pathway Planning For High Schoolers from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

While life after high school should be one of the most important considerations for teens and the adults that support them, too many kids choose default paths because they don’t know the depth and ...

43. Increased College Costs For Special Needs Students from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Attending college as a student with special needs presents a wide variety of serious logistical challenges. Even more daunting, though, may be the extra burden of paying for extra accommodations an...

42. Helping Teens Get The Sleep They Need from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Humans may spend about a third of their lives asleep, but the average time at slumber dips dramatically during the teen years. Yet, the physical, mental, and emotional health of adolescents and you...

41. Mental Techniques for Peak Test Performance from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Techniques such as hypnosis and neuro-linguistic programming can be used to quell anxiety, sharpen focus, and boost performance. So why do so few educators know about how these skills and intervent...

40. 2020 Changes in Admissions Rules from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

NACAC’s Code of Ethics and Professional Practices (CEPP) establish guidelines for college admissions conduct that most colleges voluntarily observe. In 2019, the organization voted to remove three ...

39. What Does It Mean to Be A Bad Test Taker? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

While we always expect standardized test scores to reflect general academic achievement, these metrics often diverge dramatically. When students underperform on tests, they--and their parents--ofte...

38. How Test Prep Tutoring Should Work from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In a perfect world, every student would commit to exactly the kind of test prep program he or she needs to confidently reach or exceed SAT & ACT score goals. However, in the world we live in, most ...

37. Bringing Grit to Testing and Admissions from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

“Grit” is definitely one of this decade’s biggest buzzwords in education. However, many people use this term without a clear sense of what grit really means or how to cultivate it. Amy and Mike inv...

36. What Motivates Students and How to Engage Them from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Most high schoolers are highly motivated to attend and maybe even graduate college. If only they’d bring the same fervor to the steps needed to get to college! Amy and Mike invited test prep profes...

35. Attending A Jesuit University from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

While you may be able to uncover hundreds of Catholic and Christian universities in your college searches, you’ll only find a select number of Jesuit schools. These universities, however, tend to s...

34. How To Teach Students To Study Effectively from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Isn’t it funny how we expect students to study and understand really complex material while using really basic study skills? Educators should prepare their students for advanced learning by underst...

33. PSAT and the National Merit Scholarship Process from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Every October, approximately 3.5 million high schoolers take the PSAT/NMSQT, but a significantly smaller percentage of the population understands exactly why! Amy and Mike invited test prep profess...

32. Making The Most Of College Visits from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Everyone knows that school visits are an important and often enjoyable part of the college admissions process. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to make this process worthwhile. Amy and Mike in...

31. What College Board and ACT Are Getting Right from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Despite their value, the SAT and ACT have always been the tests people love to hate. But do the test makers themselves--considering all the good works they do--deserve this same level of contempt? ...

30. Attending A Large Public University from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

When people think of colleges, the names that come to mind are very often those of large public universities. But how many teens can handle attending schools with populations larger than their own ...

29. How Parents Can Best Support Students In Test Prep from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Testing may be an individual endeavor, but test prep is very much a team sport. People often focus on the essential roles of educators, counselors, and other external supports, but what about dear ...

28. The Reality of Grade Inflation from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Earning straight A’s once signified levels of academic excellence and diligence unattainable by most students. Do these grades still mean as much when 40% or more of the class carries the same perf...

27. Common Myths About The SAT and ACT from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

For admissions exams as infamous as the SAT and ACT, these classic tests seem to inspire a lot of confusion. How much about prior versions of these tests still hold true, and what commonly held bel...

26. All About the ROTC Scholarship from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Few Americans know much about the Reserve Officer Training Corps program, and even fewer have insight into the ROTC scholarship. However, the evident and not-so-obvious benefits of this scholarship...

25. When Gifted and Talented Students Struggle from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

To many, the gifted and talented designation seems to promise a future of effortless academic success. How, then, can the adults in their lives help when these students face the inevitable educatio...

24. Choosing High School Math Courses Strategically from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Of all the academic choices a student entering eighth grade or high school must make, math course selection exerts the most influence on future choices. What should a student, parent, or counselor ...

23. Attending College in a Big City from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The world’s great cities offer some of the biggest, best, and broadest options in virtually any category you can think of, including colleges and universities. What differentiates the metropolitan ...

22. What Is ACT Science All About? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

No feature of the ACT distinguishes that test more from its College Board rival than the Science section. How can a test feature as enduring and prominent as this one still be so poorly understood?...

21. Implications of an Environmental Context Dashboard from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The public rarely receives any College Board initiative warmly, but the response to the announcement of an Environmental Context Dashboard exceeded any previous levels of cynicism, so much so that ...

20. Therapeutic Schools and Teens in Crisis from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

While every teen endures some level of emotional or behavioral turmoil, some reach such a crisis point that they require immersive therapy in specialized academic or nonacademic settings. Amy and M...

19. College Price Transparency from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

When is a price not a price? When the stated retail cost of a year at any college diverges dramatically from what students actually cost, you can’t effectively factor price into your initial colleg...

18. Using Mindfulness for Test and School Success from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

How can we succeed in the moment when we’re so burdened by thoughts of the past and anxious over fears of the future? The practice and application of mindfulness can keep a person fully focused on ...

17. Differences Between SAT and ACT Grammar from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The multiple-choice grammar sections of the SAT and ACT have never been more similar. Nonetheless, important distinctions between the ACT English and SAT Writing and Language sections can influence...

16. How The SAT Is Actually Scored from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Many test takers find the basic scaling of the SAT confusing, but the finer points of how this highly influential yet massively misunderstood test is graded mystifies even the professionals who dea...

15. Finishing A Four Year Degree On Time from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

About 66% of American students FAIL to earn their bachelor’s degrees in four years. Yet, those extra years of college come at a tremendous cost. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Edie Ste...

14. Mathematical Maturity & Test Success from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Far too often, we evaluate math ability in high schoolers solely on the basis of grades and level of math learned. A more accurate assessment of a student’s potential on challenging math tasks--inc...

13. The Rampant Cost Of College from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Most of us involved even tangentially in college admissions understand that, while earning a college degree is expensive, the investment is well worth it on a variety of levels. But college is, by ...

163. Do College Majors Matter? from 2021-01-29T11:00

Almost every conversation about college admissions and choice eventually turns to major. Should teenagers even be expected to know what they want to study for the next four to six years? Amy and Mi...

162. High School Course Selection And Academic Rigor from 2021-01-26T11:00

Course selection heavily influences both a student’s high school experience and college prospects, yet definitive answers on how to make these choices are often lacking. Amy and Mike invited educat...

161. Making Online Tutoring Matter More from 2021-01-22T11:00

When the global pandemic hit, many families were reluctant to abandon face-to-face tutoring for remote platforms. Are their good reasons to be equally hesitant to completely return to old models of...

160. Demonstrating Interest During Virtual College Tours from 2021-01-19T11:00

Pre-COVID, visiting a college campus was an important way to both learn about a school and signal interest. Today and likely going forward, more and more families will conduct that due diligence on...

159. ACT Math Reporting Categories from 2021-01-15T11:00

While standardized tests assess only part of a full high school math curriculum, assessing priorities has historically been difficult. Fortunately, ACT has quantified and clarified many elements of...

158. The Making Caring Common Project from 2021-01-12T11:00

The premise of holistic admissions suggests that admissions officers consider the whole applicant. But how can intangibles like character or compassion be judged alongside empirical data like grade...

157. Advocacy For Parents Of High Schoolers from 2021-01-08T11:00

According to former Secretary of Education Rod Paige, “There is no more powerful advocate than a parent armed with information and options.” But does that still apply to parents of teens? Amy and M...

156. Transparency In College Admissions from 2021-01-05T11:00

While a college admissions process depends on a myriad of large and small moving parts, the great challenge in applying to schools lies not in the number of criteria but in accurately guessing whic...

155. TEST PREP PROFILE: Rob Pollak from 2021-01-01T11:00

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? Meet Rob Pollak, an expert SAT and ACT tutor with a passion for helping high school st...

154. TEST PREP PROFILE: Kenny Tan from 2020-12-31T11:00

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? Meet Kenny Tan, who has been working in test prep since 2010. Kenny founded Kenny Tan ...

153. TEST PREP PROFILE: Paul Pscolka from 2020-12-30T11:00

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? Meet Paul Pscolka, the founder of Ivy Masters, an organization based out of New Jersey...

152. TEST PREP PROFILE: Claudia Chesler from 2020-12-29T11:00

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? Meet Claudia Chesler, a visionary educational specialist at Potomac Education Center w...

151. TEST PREP PROFILE: Edward Antoine from 2020-12-28T11:00

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? Meet Edward Antoine, the founder and president of Antoine Education, a Brooklyn, NY ba...

150. Winning The Game Of School from 2020-12-22T11:00

Every version of school presents students with rules, restrictions, and indicators of success. Well, so do games!  Amy and Mike invited educational entrepreneur Steve Hargadon to explore the opport...

149. How The ACT Is Actually Scored from 2020-12-15T11:00

No matter how difficult a given ACT exam seems, the process of creating that test and every other equivalent form is exponentially more complex, precise, and demanding.  Amy and Mike invited ACT Le...

148. Stop Making $en$e: The International Student Problem from 2020-12-08T11:00

The codependent relationship American higher education has cultivated with international students seems to be on the rocks due to COVID and other crises. What happens next? Amy and Mike invited col...

147. What To Check Before Submitting That College Application from 2020-12-01T11:00

The only thing tougher than filling out the perfect college application is being willing to submit it. How can applicants feel comfortable that they presented the most complete, authentic, and poli...

146. ACT English Reporting Categories from 2020-11-24T11:00

If you weren’t keenly aware of the differences between spoken and written English, you probably haven’t taken the ACT! Amy and Mike invited educator Jason Derby to discuss both the details and impl...

145. Why Selective Specialized Schools Matter from 2020-11-20T11:00

Author Orison Swett Marden stated, “All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.” That quote a...

144. Tracking College And Career Readiness from 2020-11-17T11:00

We all imagine that one purpose of a K-12 education is to prepare students for life after high school. But how do we know which students are--or are not--ready? Amy and Mike invited researchers Lyn...

143. The Impact Of NACAC Admissions Changes from 2020-11-13T11:00

When NACAC revised its guidelines for college admissions conduct, the repercussions were expected to shake the foundations of higher education. Then COVID came along, doing all that and more! Amy a...

142. Depth Of Knowledge Levels On The SAT And ACT from 2020-11-10T11:00

Webb’s Depth of Knowledge levels provide a clear system for categorizing the complexity of thought different tasks--and test questions--require. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Erik Fra...

141. Tracking Score Data from 2020-11-06T11:00

The old saying “What gets measured gets managed” can definitely be applied to testing data. But what exactly should be measured and why? Amy and Mike invited test prep wizard Vinny Madera to analyz...

140. Social Studies Instruction And Reading Comprehension from 2020-11-03T11:00

We may all agree that reading is fundamental, but is there consensus on how best to teach reading and increase literacy? You’d be surprised at what we are still learning about such a basic yet crit...

139. Building An A+ Extracurricular Resume from 2020-10-30T10:00

Everyone knows that extracurricular activities matter in college admissions. But do you know which aspects of participation and achievement really make a difference? Amy and Mike invited admissions...

138. Introducing The National Test Prep Association from 2020-10-27T10:00

The test prep and tutoring industry has somehow grown into a multi-billion dollar behemoth without any guiding association, credentials, or voice. But is the world ready for a non-profit industry o...

137. How Tests Drive Learning from 2020-10-23T10:00

While most K-12 students would love test-optional schooling, most K-12 teachers strongly disagree. Why are exams essential and inextricable components of education? Amy and Mike invited educator Tr...

136. The Impact Of Skipping A Grade On Students from 2020-10-20T10:00

For most families, the path from kindergarten to college seems set in stone, requiring as many years as there are grades. Yet, many students accelerate through the process. Should yours?  Amy and M...

135. Admissions Insights For Highly Selective Universities from 2020-10-16T10:00

The admissions process for four-year schools increases in complexity in proportion to how tough a college or university is to get into. What should you know, then, for the most competitive of all? ...

134. Receiving Testing Accommodations from 2020-10-13T10:00

Taking the SAT and ACT with the proper accommodations can level the assessment playing field for students with learning disabilities and medical needs. But needing and getting accommodations are tw...

133. Attending A Christian College from 2020-10-09T10:00

Depending on your background, you either know lots of people who have attended Christian colleges or can’t name more than one or two of the hundreds of institutions in the USA. Amy and Mike invited...

132. The Science Of Memory from 2020-10-06T10:00

In this era of instant internet searches, you may think that memory doesn’t matter as much as it used to. Maybe you forget how much memory drives everything we do! Amy and Mike invited education pr...

131. Self-Prep For The SAT & ACT from 2020-10-02T10:00

Contrary to the allegations of critics, you cannot buy great test scores. In fact, a surprising number of students earn elite--and sometimes perfect--scores on their own. Amy and Mike invited test ...

130. The Academic Integrity Arms Race from 2020-09-29T10:00

As long as school has included tests and grades, teachers have had to deal with dishonesty and plagiarism. With rapidly changing technology, however, come more and more novel and insidious ways to ...

129. Reinventing The High School Transcript from 2020-09-25T10:00

21st century high schools teach different subjects in different ways integrating entirely different standards, guidelines, and technology. So why do they still use a 19th century grading system? Am...

128. 529 College Savings Plans from 2020-09-22T10:00

Most families get serious about planning for life after high school during a child’s tween or teen years. If you want to pay for educational programs like college, though, you might want to plan mu...

127. Building Effective School Partnerships from 2020-09-18T10:00

In-school prep programs can be highly effective in terms of score increases, content mastery, and overall student satisfaction... as long as school staff and private partners are on the same page. ...

126. Shaping An Admissions Class from 2020-09-15T10:00

In a surprising number of ways, putting together a new incoming class at a college is like crafting a list for the perfect party. So how can you make sure you are invited? Amy and Mike invited auth...

125. The Historical Mission Of The SAT from 2020-09-11T10:00

The SAT has attracted incalculable criticism and scorn over the last century, but would detractors feel as much loathing if they knew the test’s noble origins and purpose? Amy and Mike invited educ...

124. Attending A Liberal Arts College from 2020-09-08T10:00

The classic liberal arts and sciences education represents the prototypical college experience, yet many argue that modern times call for different kinds of programs and degrees. Is it possible, th...

123. What Is The CLT? from 2020-09-04T10:00

With all the concern swirling around college admissions testing, maybe the solution isn’t fewer exams but actually more. Amy and Mike invited education professional Jeremy Tater to shed light on th...

122. Advantages Of Dual Enrollment from 2020-09-01T10:00

Many students do college-level work during high school, but only a fortunate few figure out how to translate their studies to substantial college credits. Amy and Mike invited financial expert Rock...

121. Writing Rhetorically In Admissions Essays from 2020-08-28T10:00

The college essay is, at heart, a sales letter intended to close the deal of a student’s admission to a desired school. Why, then, do writers so often ignore the power of rhetoric to inform, persua...

120. Making The Most Of A Virtual College Admissions Event from 2020-08-25T10:00

The traditional college visit presents the perfect opportunity to get a real feel for a school while demonstrating sincere interest. A virtual college visit is no different. Amy and Mike invited ad...

119. How Test Prep Pros And Financial Planners Can Work Together from 2020-08-21T10:00

Money is a major concern before, during, and very much after the college admissions process? So why isn’t financial planning integrated more consistently?  Amy and Mike invited educator and consult...

118. Attending A Military Academy from 2020-08-18T10:00

Very few students graduate from college thinking that they just lived through the most challenging yet enriching four years of their lives. Then again, most students don’t go to schools like West P...

117. Lessons Learned By Offering A Scholarship from 2020-08-14T10:00

We all want to get scholarships, right? But how many people want to give scholarships? Amy and Mike did, mainly because scholarship expert Monica Matthews inspired us. That’s why we invited Monica ...

116. The Road To A Perfect Score from 2020-08-11T10:00

Perfection, according to Vince Lombardi, is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. But is a perfect score on a critical admissions test really impossible, and what else...

115. Community Colleges In The Time Of COVID-19 from 2020-08-07T10:00

Community colleges have always served students and their surrounding municipalities and counties in ways that other educational institutions do not, and crisis conditions only amplify their impact....

114. College Declassified: What High Schoolers Should Know About The Next Level from 2020-08-04T10:00

While we tend to focus on how much of an academic and social education college can offer, we tend to look past the professional skills students learn. To be fair, that’s because they are rarely tau...

113. Navigating An IEP Or 504 Plan from 2020-07-31T10:00

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans provide paths to procure formal help for K-12 students who struggle in school. However, pursuing these plans can be an education in themselves...

112. Gap Year Alternatives During COVID from 2020-07-28T10:00

The COVID-19 continues to upend all of our assumptions about education, particularly in regard to advancing directly from high school to college. What other options exist when even traditional “pau...

111. Do Test Optional Policies Drive Equity? from 2020-07-24T10:00

Advocates of abolishing admissions tests claim that exams like the SAT and ACT discriminate against some populations while serving as proxy wealth tests. But do data or evidence support these posit...

110. Tutor Self-Care (Tests and the Rest Summit Panel) from 2020-07-23T10:00

Teaching, tutoring, training, and coaching all describe ways we give of ourselves to help others become better in one way or another. But how can we support others if we don’t support ourselves? Am...

109. Essentials of Client - Teacher Communication (Tests and the Rest Summit Panel) from 2020-07-22T10:00

Independent educational consultants and test prep professionals are natural partners, at least in theory. What are the keys to uncovering the kinds of productive synergies that benefit students, fa...

107. Why Optional Statements Aren't Optional from 2020-07-17T10:00

With so many components of the college application designated as optional these days, you have to wonder what that term even means. For context, Amy and Mike invited Tulane admissions director Jeff...

106. Benefits of School Day Testing from 2020-07-14T10:00

The ACT and SAT are, at least for the moment, always offered at schools. But what happens when the exams are offered DURING school? Amy and Mike invited school counselor Larry Mandernach to describ...

105. How Does Remote Proctoring Actually Work from 2020-07-10T10:00

The SAT and ACT have always been the ultimate paper-and-pencil exams, but that era is approaching its end. But how secure can the digital tests of the future be without proctors watching test taker...

104. Applying To A Military Academy from 2020-07-07T10:00

U.S. military service academies are among the most respected and rigorous colleges in the nation. Unsurprisingly, they are also among the toughest to get into. Amy and Mike invited educational cons...

103. Using Student Self-Analysis To Improve Instruction from 2020-07-03T10:00

We sometimes look to educators like oracles who can predict a student’s academic future based on faint and inscrutable hints. But why guess in the dark when all the answers are right in front of yo...

102. Why Testing Standards Matter from 2020-06-30T10:00

Nurse practitioners are among the host of medical professionals we rely on every day for life saving health care. Does it surprise you to learn that they need to pass certain tests to show that the...

101. Upside Of A Semester Online from 2020-06-26T10:00

We probably won’t know until September what the Fall 2020 college experience will truly be like, but students need to make momentous decisions about their semester plans NOW. Amy and Mike invited c...

100. 2019-2020 Academic Year In Review from 2020-06-23T10:00

The 2019-20 academic year will live on in infamy as one of the craziest years to rock secondary and higher education. Is it a coincidence that we started the Tests and the Rest podcast right when i...

99. Differences Between SAT and ACT Reading from 2020-06-19T10:00

The multiple-choice reading sections of the SAT and ACT have never been more similar, but closer analysis proves they are hardly the same. Amy and Mike invited best-selling author Erica Meltzer to ...

98. Delivering Education And Admissions Messaging from 2020-06-16T16:03:28

These days, every teacher, tutor, and college consultant has moved business online. Why does it seem, though, that some professionals are engaging with potential clients on social media platforms f...

97. Test Prep For Students With Accommodations from 2020-06-12T12:00

Almost every test taker finds the SAT and ACT challenging. However, learning and testing disabilities add a whole new level of difficulty, which demands thoughtful approaches to practice and prepar...

96. College Admissions For Twice-Exceptional Learners from 2020-06-09T12:00

You may have never heard the term “twice-exceptional,” but you’ve likely met 2E learners and recognized the distinctive challenges they faced. Amy and Mike invited professional counselor Emily Kirc...

95. The Ultimate College Stress Test from 2020-06-05T12:00

Heading into 2020, various market stresses already threatened the viability of some of America's colleges and universities. Then came COVID-19! Amy and Mike invited consultant and author Susan Bald...

94. Family Conversations About College Admissions from 2020-06-02T12:00

When managed properly, the college admissions process is very much a team effort, and an applicant’s family can be the most critical members of that team. Amy and Mike invited author and admissions...

93. Letters Of Recommendation: Good vs. Great from 2020-05-29T12:00

Despite their role as essential components of college applications, letters of recommendation--specifically how to elicit great ones--receive far too little attention. Amy and Mike invited college ...

92. Sports Recruiting In The Time Of Covid from 2020-05-26T12:00

The annual rhythms of sports seasons and college recruiting cycles have always been comfortably familiar. Then came COVID-19. Amy and Mike invited college consultants David Stoeckel and Katie Ander...

91. College Admissions For Homeschoolers from 2020-05-22T12:00

Homeschooling offers a distinctive choice for families seeking a flexible, specialized K-12 education for their children. Full immersion into higher education, however, cannot be experienced at hom...

90. 50-50 Colleges And The Perfect List from 2020-05-19T12:00

While the general public tends to rank colleges mainly on the basis of exclusivity and Division I sports success, applicants should consider so many other factors. Two data points are particularly ...

89. Different Ways To Look At Test Score Increases from 2020-05-15T12:00

Test prep differs from various other forms of academic instruction in that progress can be measured quantitatively. How many ways can this data be evaluated, and is that process even worth the effo...

88. What You Need To Know About The FAFSA and CSS Profile from 2020-05-12T12:00

If you think the college admissions process is an intricate and delicate dance involving numerous complex steps to be executed at precise intervals, take a look at the college financial aid process...

87. Observations Of A Test Site Supervisor from 2020-05-08T12:00

Obviously, high schoolers put a lot of work into preparing for test day, as do teachers, tutors, coaches, and parents. But don’t forget those unsung heroes who labor behind the scenes to ensure a s...

86. Deciding Between The SAT and ACT, Part 2 from 2020-05-05T12:00

The SAT and ACT may be more similar than ever, but they are definitely not the same. Picking the right exam to showcase your particular strengths can make a massive difference in admissions. Amy an...

85. Transitioning Your IEP Or 504 Plan To College from 2020-05-01T12:00

Many high schoolers benefit from academic accommodations intended to give a student with a disability an equal opportunity to benefit from the educational process. But how easy or even possible is ...

84. High Impact Strategies To Help Students Succeed in Math from 2020-04-28T12:00

The world seems to be cleanly divided into two groups: people who aren’t good at math and those who miraculously are. Yet that belief that a person is inherently bad at math is simplistic, self-def...

83. Who Benefits Most From Test Optional Policies? from 2020-04-24T12:00

Media reports would have us believe that all colleges and universities will eventually eliminate all testing requirements from admissions decisions for the betterment of humanity. The test optional...

82. The Inner Game Of Testing from 2020-04-21T12:00

According to author Timothy Gallwey, every game is composed of two parts, an outer game and an inner game. We play the outer game against an external opponent or obstacle, but the inner game takes ...

81. You Can't Handle The Truth: Secrets Of College Admissions from 2020-04-17T12:00

You may have heard the saying, "Laws are like sausages. It's better not to see them being made."  Does that advice apply to admissions decisions as well? Amy and Mike invited college admissions exp...

80. Creating A Homeschool Plan During A Crisis from 2020-04-14T12:00

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the locus of education from schools to homes. But should parents serve as proxy teachers or take different roles to further their children’s development? Amy and M...

79. Why The SAT And ACT Are Awesome from 2020-04-10T12:00

If you ask your average high schooler (or parent) for some adjectives describing the SAT and ACT, the extensive vocabulary list will likely skew negative. But do those who know the tests best feel ...

78. What Exactly Is A Good College? from 2020-04-07T12:00

Year after year, countless teens stress over a perceived need to attend a “good” college. But what does that even mean and how does reality differ from perception? Amy and Mike invited admissions a...

77. Early Decision and Early Action from 2020-04-03T12:00

Policies that allow students to apply to the colleges and universities of their choice ahead of the rest of the pack seem to offer tremendous advantages. But who really benefits and are there any d...

76. College Admissions During A Global Pandemic from 2020-03-31T12:00

When everything in the present is turned upside-down, how can students manage current challenges while working towards long-term goals like college admissions? What will colleges even want from nex...

75. ACT Superscoring and Section Retesting from 2020-03-27T11:00

ACT, Inc. didn’t always endorse the practice of superscoring for admissions, but the test maker has changed its institutional stance on the basis of compelling evidence. What did ACT researchers un...

74. College Advising And Prep By Videoconference from 2020-03-24T11:00

Learning doesn’t have to stop just because schools are closed, does it? The future arrives whether we are ready or not, which means counselors, educators, and consultants need to continue to provid...

73. Virtual College Tours from 2020-03-20T11:00

The traditional college selection process usually includes plenty of live campus visits. But what happens when logistics, expenses, or unexpected pandemics get in the way? Amy and Mike invited Camp...

72. What SAT & ACT Diagnostic Tests Can Tell You from 2020-03-17T11:00

Taking high quality practice tests at deliberate intervals is an indispensable part of any true test preparation regimen. But what makes mocks or diagnostics so important? Amy and Mike invited test...

71. Attending A Women's College from 2020-03-13T11:00

While many Americans have either personally attended or know alumni of all-boys or all-girls high schools, very few have met graduates of women’s colleges. Is a single-gendered college experience a...

70. Taboo Essay Topics from 2020-03-10T11:00

Admissions essays, more than any other piece of the college application process, allow applicants to communicate distinctive and personal aspects of their lives. But can essays be too personal? Abs...

69. What Every Pre-Med Major Should Know from 2020-03-06T12:00

Everyone knows that you have to graduate medical school to become a medical doctor. Less obvious are the actual steps required to get into medical school. Amy and Mike invited author and med school...

68. Common Testing Mistakes And How To Avoid Them from 2020-03-03T12:00

The gap between a test taker’s potential best and actual best depends entirely on delivering an error-free performance when it counts. But how easy is that in the face of tricky test questions, cha...

67. Does College Engagement Matter More Than Selectivity? from 2020-02-28T12:00

Every college applicant seems to dream of attending an elite academic or athletic institution. But does the difficulty in getting into a school predict the value of its education? Amy and Mike invi...