College Bound
Oct 9, 2026
What Does the Research Tell Us About Score Gains on the SAT and ACT?
Every year, parents ask us two important questions: “How much can my student realistically improve on the ACT or SAT?” and “Will a higher score actually make a difference in college admissions or scholarships?” The answers depend on the student, but research from ACT and the College Board provides valuable insight into what families can reasonably expect. And here's something worth considering: A relatively modest score increase could make a meaningful difference in a student's college opportunities—and potentially the cost of attending.
Oct 2, 2026
Beyond the Classroom: Why Getting Involved in High School Matters
Grades and test scores matter in the college admissions process—but they aren't the whole story. How students choose to spend their time outside the classroom can help colleges understand who they are, what interests them, how they contribute, and what they may bring to a college community. Just as importantly, getting involved during high school gives students opportunities to discover interests, develop confidence, build relationships, and learn skills they simply can't develop from a textbook.
Sep 27, 2026
AI vs. Human Tutors: What Parents Should Know About Test Prep
AI can generate a thousand practice questions. But can it tell why your student keeps missing the same kind of question? Artificial intelligence has quickly become part of our everyday lives—and education is no exception. Students can now ask AI to explain a math problem, generate practice questions, create study schedules, analyze mistakes, and even help prepare for standardized tests.
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 29, 2026
Demonstrated Interest: The College Admissions Factor Families May Be Overlooking
Many families understand the major pieces of college admissions: grades, course rigor, test scores, activities, essays, and recommendations. But another factor is playing an increasingly visible role at some colleges—one that many students and parents still don't fully understand. It's called demonstrated interest, and overlooking it can potentially put a student at a disadvantage at colleges that consider it.
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.
Aug 4, 2026
The Common App Is Live: What Every Parent of a High School Senior Should Know
While senior year may still feel a little distant for some families, August often signals the unofficial beginning of the college application season. If your student plans to apply through the Common App, now is the time to move from thinking about college to actively preparing applications. Starting early can make the entire process less stressful and lead to stronger, more thoughtful applications.
Jul 26, 2026
SAT vs. ACT Reading: Understanding the Differences Can Help Your Student Choose the Right Test
The SAT and ACT seem almost interchangeable. Both are accepted equally by colleges, both assess reading comprehension, and both can play a significant role in college admissions and merit scholarship opportunities. However, while the two exams measure many of the same underlying reading skills, they do so in very different ways. Those differences affect not only which test may be a better fit for your student, but also how they should prepare.
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?