Test Prep
Sep 13, 2026
HSPT Season Is Here: What 8th Grade Parents Need to Know
Fall brings a long list of important dates for eighth-grade families—open houses, shadow days, applications, and, of course, the High School Placement Test (HSPT). It can be tempting to see the HSPT as just another box to check in the high school admissions process. But depending on the school, a student's HSPT performance may determine admission, course placement, honors eligibility, and scholarship consideration. That can make the HSPT worth taking seriously—and worth preparing for.
Sep 7, 2026
The PSAT Is More Than Practice: Understanding National Merit Recognition
For most students, the PSAT is a practice run for the SAT. But for academically strong juniors, the October PSAT/NMSQT can carry considerably more significance. It is also the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program, a prestigious academic award and scholarship opportunity.
Aug 22, 2026
The PSAT Is Coming: What Should Your Student Be Doing Now?
Every October, the PSAT brings up a familiar question from parents of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors: How seriously should my student prepare for this test? The answer depends greatly on your student’s grade level. One of the biggest mistakes families can make is assuming that “test prep” should look the same for every high school student.
Aug 14, 2026
SAT & PSAT Practice Just Got an Update: What Parents Should Know
If your student is preparing for the SAT or PSAT, there are some important updates to the College Board’s digital practice resources—including hundreds of newly released SAT questions, updated difficulty ratings for existing questions, and a brand-new PSAT practice test now available in the Bluebook App. For families, these changes are a good reminder that effective test preparation isn’t simply about completing as many practice questions as possible. Which questions students practice—and what they learn from them—matters.
Aug 9, 2026
Can You Really Be A Bad Test Taker?
It’s a phrase parents and educators hear all the time: “I’m just a bad test taker.” Often, the student saying it has plenty of evidence to back up the claim. But in reality, “bad test taker” is often less a diagnosis and more a catch-all phrase for a number of specific challenges—many of which can be identified and improved with the right preparation.
Jul 21, 2026
Why Today's Best Tutoring Happens Online
For many parents, the idea of online tutoring can initially feel unfamiliar. Will my student stay engaged? Will the tutor be able to explain difficult concepts? Is it really as effective as meeting face-to-face?
Jul 14, 2026
Grade Inflation: What Every Parent Should Know
Grades are higher than ever—but are they telling the whole story? For many parents, a report card filled with A's feels like reassurance that their student is on the path to college success. But over the past two decades, an important trend has changed how colleges interpret transcripts: grade inflation.
Jun 30, 2026
Test-Optional Doesn't Mean Test-Irrelevant
Whether your child is entering high school this fall or preparing to submit college applications as a senior, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: standardized testing is playing a larger role in college admissions once again.
Jun 8, 2026
Train Your Nervous System: Using Yoga, Breathing, and Stress Management to Improve Test Performance
When preparing for the ACT, SAT, PSAT, AP exams, HSPT, ISEE, GRE, or any high-stakes test, most students focus on studying content, learning strategies, and taking practice tests. Those things matter. But there is another critical part of preparation that often gets overlooked: training your nervous system.
May 26, 2026
Why HSPT and ISEE Scores Matter More Than Many Families Realize
For many families, seventh grade feels “too early” to think seriously about high school admissions testing. However, in competitive private, Catholic, and independent school admissions, preparation often begins much earlier than parents expect. Tests such as the High School Placement Test (HSPT) and the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) can play a significant role in admissions decisions, academic placement, honors program eligibility, and scholarship opportunities.
May 14, 2026
How to Find an ACT Seat When Test Centers Are Full
If your student recently tried to register for the ACT and saw the dreaded “No Seats Available” message everywhere, they are definitely not alone. Across the country, popular ACT dates — especially summer and fall administrations — can fill quickly, leaving families scrambling to find a testing location.
May 9, 2026
Why Vocabulary Matters on the SAT, ACT, HSPT, and ISEE
When families think about standardized test preparation, they often focus on math formulas, grammar rules, and timing strategies. However, one of the most important — and often overlooked — components of success is vocabulary. Strong vocabulary skills influence nearly every section of tests like the SAT, ACT, HSPT, and ISEE.