SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

Halle Edwards

Halle Edwards graduated from Stanford University with honors. In high school, she earned 99th percentile ACT scores as well as 99th percentile scores on SAT subject tests. She also took nine AP classes, earning a perfect score of 5 on seven AP tests. As a graduate of a large public high school who tackled the college admission process largely on her own, she is passionate about helping high school students from different backgrounds get the knowledge they need to be successful in the college admissions process.

Recent Posts

ACT Percentiles and Score Rankings

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Posted by Halle Edwards | May 9, 2023 5:30:00 PM

ACT General Info

What's the difference between a good ACT score and a great ACT score? One way colleges make that distinction is by looking at ACT score percentiles.

ACT score percentiles help colleges compare students with one another, rather than just looking at everyone's individual score. Learn more about your ACT score percentile so you can maximize both your study time and admission chances. Then, find out your current score percentile using our detailed charts.

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What Is Summer Institute for the Gifted? Should You Join?

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Posted by Halle Edwards | May 8, 2023 10:00:00 AM

Other High School, Early Achievers (7th/8th Grade)

Want to challenge yourself this summer? Interested in showing colleges some of your academic interests? If so, you might have heard about the Summer Institute for the Gifted.

In this post, we'll explain what the Summer Institute for the Gifted is all about; we’ll cover logistics such as application materials, cost, and dates; and we’ll help you decide whether it's a good fit for you.

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The Best AP World History Study Guide: 6 Key Tips

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Posted by Halle Edwards | May 6, 2023 6:00:00 PM

Advanced Placement (AP)

Are you taking AP World History this year? Or considering taking it at some point in high school? Then you need to read this AP World History study guide. Instead of cramming every single name, date, and place into your head, learn how to study for the AP World History exam so that you can learn the major ideas and feel ready for test day. We'll also go over some key strategies you can use to help you prepare effectively.

The AP World History test is challengingjust 13.2% of test takers got a 5 in 2021. But if you study correctly throughout the year, you could be one of the few students who aces this test. Below are six tips to follow in order to be well prepared for the AP World History exam. Read through each one, apply them to your test prep, and you'll be well on your way to maximizing your score!

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Should You Take AP English Literature or AP English Language?

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Posted by Halle Edwards | May 2, 2023 8:30:00 PM

Advanced Placement (AP)

Are you considering taking an AP English class at some point during high school? You might have noticed that AP offers two English courses—AP English Literature and Composition and AP English Language and Composition. (Those titles are a mouthful, so we'll just refer to them as AP Literature and AP Language in this post.)

So what are some of the differences between the two classes? Is one class harder than the other? Should you take both or just choose one? In this guide, we'll explain the similarities and differences between the two courses to help you decide which option is best for you.

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When Do AP Scores Come Out? 2023

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Posted by Halle Edwards | Apr 30, 2023 2:00:00 PM

Advanced Placement (AP)

If you've taken an AP exam recently or plan to take one soon, you're probably wondering: when do AP scores come out? Unfortunately, you have to wait a bit longer for AP scores than you do for SAT/ACT scores.

Keep reading to find out exactly when AP exam scores come out. In addition, learn where to find your AP scores and get tips on what you can do as you wait for them.

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How Can You Build the Most Versatile College Application?

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Posted by Halle Edwards | Dec 18, 2022 8:30:00 AM

College Admissions

Looking at college admissions websites and requirements can be overwhelming. Many colleges have slightly different standardized test and letter of recommendation requirements. Furthermore, some colleges require just one personal statement, while others require multiple essays and short answer responses. It can be a lot to keep track of!

So how do you go about preparing your college applications, when colleges seem like they all want slightly different application materials? And how do you make sure you are competitive everywhere you apply? We will explain how to make the most versatile college application.

By versatile we mean an application that will allow you to apply competitively to the broadest range of colleges.

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How to Get Your PSAT Score Report

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Posted by Halle Edwards | Dec 12, 2022 12:00:00 PM

PSAT Info and Strategies

How do you get your PSAT score report? Can you view it online? The PSAT score report works a bit differently than your typical SAT or ACT report.

We will walk through how to get your report and what to do once you have it.

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Exactly How Hard Are AP Tests and Classes?

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Posted by Halle Edwards | Nov 13, 2022 1:30:00 PM

Advanced Placement (AP)

Sure, they can help you get college credit and make your transcript more impressive. But are AP tests hard?

The answer isn't an easy yes or no. You need to consider many factors, including your own academic strengths, your school, and national score statistics. We'll guide you through these different factors and help you decide for yourself how hard AP tests will be!

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These Are the Easiest AP Classes for You

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Posted by Halle Edwards | Nov 13, 2022 11:00:00 AM

Advanced Placement (AP)

What are the easiest AP classes and/or the easiest AP tests? Answering this question isn't so simple as just giving you a list, since there are a lot of factors that could make an AP class easy.

The easiest AP tests could have hard classes to go with them, or vice versa. You also have to think about your school, the national average scores, and your own personal strengths when figuring out which AP courses are relatively easy. But don't worry—we'll help you break down these factors and decide which AP tests will be easiest for you!

In this article, we'll first discuss your particular situation—your skills and your school. Then, we'll look at national data on passing rates and reputation for easiness.

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These Are the Hardest AP Classes and Tests for You

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Posted by Halle Edwards | Nov 13, 2022 8:00:00 AM

Advanced Placement (AP)

Thinking of signing up for AP classes? Want the greatest possible challenge? Or are you trying to avoid biting off more than you can chew?

In this post, we'll explain what makes an AP class hard, list the hardest AP classes, and help you prepare for them.

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Complete List of AP Courses and Tests

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Posted by Halle Edwards | Nov 12, 2022 2:00:00 PM

Advanced Placement (AP)

 

Have you ever seen the full list of AP classes? Are you confused about which ones you should take? We'll help you choose by showing you a list of all AP courses available. We'll also reveal which ones are the most popular and which are the hardest to pass. Read on for advice to help you pick your ideal advanced placement courses!

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What's the Highest Possible SAT Score?

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Posted by Halle Edwards | Oct 15, 2022 11:00:00 PM

SAT General Info

Curious about what perfection looks like on the SAT, or about how many people get perfect scores every year? In this post, we'll show you what the highest possible score on the SAT is and how many raw points you need to rack up in each section to earn that score.

We'll also include tips and links to other more detailed articles for those aiming for that rare—but not impossible!—maximum SAT score.

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SAT Percentiles and Score Rankings (Updated 2022)

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Posted by Halle Edwards | Sep 19, 2022 4:30:00 PM

SAT General Info

Have you taken the SAT recently and need help deciding whether you should retake the test? Or maybe you haven’t taken the SAT yet but want to develop a target score.

One of the best ways to understand your SAT scores is to understand your SAT score percentiles. You can learn to maximize your study time, find the biggest score gains, and impress your dream school by understanding percentile rankings. Read on for a guide to maximizing your SAT score—and your college admissions chances—by using SAT score percentiles.

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Which Colleges Require All ACT Scores Sent?

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Posted by Halle Edwards | Sep 10, 2022 8:30:00 AM

ACT Logistics

Wondering which colleges require you to send all your ACT scores when you apply? We have a list here of the most popular schools that require all scores, as well as a guide to looking up this information for any school in the country. Read on to learn which colleges want to see your entire ACT testing history.

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Guaranteed Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores

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Posted by Halle Edwards | Sep 4, 2022 12:00:00 PM

SAT/ACT Score Target, College Admissions

Maybe you've taken the SAT or ACT and got a really good score, but you aren't sure how to get the most money out of it. Or maybe you haven't taken the SAT or ACT yet but are wondering how important the tests really are. One way you can make the most of your score is by finding guaranteed SAT scholarships or guaranteed ACT scholarships.

In this post, we'll show you some of the scholarships for high SAT scores and scholarships for high ACT scores that you can get. You can earn thousands of dollars in scholarships based just on your test scores. Curious to see how? We'll show you where you can get scholarships based on ACT scores and scholarships based on SAT scores.

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