SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

Here's the most updated info on when the next ACT test is happening and when you have to register.

Asking someone to write you a letter of recommendation for your college applications can be nerve-wracking. However, having a "brag sheet" to hand your recommender can make them more likely to accept. It may also encourage them to write about awards and personal strengths you want colleges to know about. 

Brag sheets are a great tool that not enough high school students make use of. But we're here to help! This guide includes everything you need to know about brag sheets, including what you need them for, what they should include, and an example of a great brag sheet.

Yep, you read that correctly: in May 2020, the University of California Board of Regents voted unanimously to stop requiring the ACT and SAT as part of admissions applications. In other words, if you're applying to a UC school, you won't have to submit your ACT or SAT scores.

Before you get super excited, there are some caveats you should know about. That's why we're breaking down the changes — and answer your FAQs! — below.

If you plan to practice law in the United States, you must earn a law degree and pass the bar exam. While that may seem a long way off for an aspiring lawyer, your journey to your law degree and your dream career starts with your decision in your college and your major in your undergrad years.

There are lots of factors to consider if you one day plan to be a lawyer and want to start your education off right. It's a big decision since the right school can help your chances of getting into your top law program, which can in turn help you land the job you've been thinking about for years.

To help you out, we've compiled a list of the best colleges for pre-law.

While there are many different SAT prep books, they all have one thing in common: they all claim to be the best. How can you figure out which one will actually help you succeed on the SAT?

This guide will give you my recommendations for the best prep books for the Math section of the SAT. Some of these books are best for strategies and thinking through the problems, while others are best for practice problems. A few are geared toward top scorers, while some will help you improve a low score fast.

Before delving into the list, I have to make one disclaimer:

The SAT is offered seven times a year, but which SAT test dates will work best for you and your schedule? What essential factors should you consider before creating an SAT schedule? What are the best SAT dates for juniors? For seniors?

In this comprehensive guide, we offer you the most current info on SAT test dates (domestic and international) for 2020 and 2021. We also give you our top tips for choosing the best SAT test dates for you as well as tons of resources to help you navigate the complicated web of SAT/ACT test dates.

NOTE: Because of COVID-19, some 2020 SAT test dates have been canceled. If you're looking for more information on how COVID-19 is impacting SAT test dates, check out our complete guide.

Looking for info on 2020-2021 ACT test dates? Knowing the most accurate ACT test dates is crucial for a solid test-taking plan. Though you might be tempted to go ahead and register for the next possible test date, what you should really be doing is finding a date that works well for you and your schedule.

In this guide, we offer an overview of upcoming ACT test dates, registration deadlines, and score release dates. We also give you tips on how to choose an ACT test date and go over which test dates work best for juniors, seniors, and more.

NOTE: Because of COVID-19, many ACT test dates have been postponed or cancelled in 2020. If you're looking for more information on how COVID-19 is impacting ACT test dates, check out our complete guide.

If you're applying to one or more of the UC schools, you want to make sure you get the application right. This step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the UC application, from the time you decide to apply to a UC school to when you submit the final piece of the application.

Keep reading to learn when the most important UC application deadline is, which documents you need to submit to complete your application, if you need a separate application for each UC school, and how you can make sure every part of your application sets you apart from the crowd.

The University of California schools are widely regarded as some of the best public universities in the nation. Because I have provided college counseling to hundreds of students in California and chaperoned college visits to UC campuses, I'm very familiar with these colleges and know people who have attended each of the nine UC schools that offer undergraduate education.

In this article, I will describe the UC system, profile each of the University of California colleges, and explain how to choose which UC school to attend.

Top public universities are often ranked alongside private colleges in lists, but these publicly funded schools can be overlooked for the prestige of private schools. No matter what program you're pursuing or what your dream career is, the best public universities can help you get there!

In this article, we'll be covering what a public university is and our own ranking of the best state schools around the United States, combining criteria from a variety of lists. Ready to learn why a public college may be the right choice for you? Read on!

If you're preparing for the SAT or have received your SAT scores, you may be wondering what score you need to get into college. What's an average SAT score for colleges?

In this article, I'll explain average SAT scores and what they mean for you. Find out how to calculate the score you need to help reach your college goals.

Have you been asked to provide a "parent brag sheet" for your child's guidance counselor? Have you heard of other parents completing them and are wondering if they're required for college applications? Parent brag sheets are becoming more popular, but many parents don't get much guidance on how to complete them. We created this guide to explain what a parent brag sheet is and what they're used for. We also go over common parent brag sheet example questions and explain how to answer them. 

Information technology is a growing field, with more and more students looking to major in IT or a related subject. If you're thinking of an IT major or maybe even a master's degree, it's vital that you know what the best information technology schools are.

In this guide, we explain what an information technology school is and what kinds of jobs you can get with a degree in IT before presenting the 14 top information technology schools, including the best online schools for information technology. We'll then wrap up with some tips on how to find the best information technology school for you.

Business is a great college major, especially for those who are creative, innovative, and see themselves as leaders. A business major is the best of both worlds because a student will leave school with a degree that is both broad and practical. Like any other major, the school you attend will give you an advantage as you set out on your career one day.

Attending a school with a strong business undergraduate program will give you a leg up in your experience, potential job offers and even your starting salary, so it's important to choose wisely. Your future is a marathon, not a sprint, so take your time to research and visit schools if you're set on majoring in business and attending one of the top undergraduate business schools.

If you're from a Southern state, or you just love sweet tea, hush puppies, delicious BBQ, and saying "y'all," you may want to attend college in the South. If you're considering going to college in the South, you should have an idea of which schools are the best in the region.

In this article, I'll rank the best colleges in the South and offer tips on finding the best Southern colleges for you.