SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

The word photosynthesis comes from two Greek words: photo, meaning “light”, and synthesis, meaning “put together.” Looking at that those two roots, we have a good idea of what happens during the chemical process of photosynthesis: plants put together water and carbon dioxide with light to create glucose and oxygen.

In this article, we’ll break down what photosynthesis is, why photosynthesis is important, and discuss the chemical equation for photosynthesis: what it is and what each part of it means.

Cells are the building blocks of life. All living things have cells - from small, single-celled organisms like bacteria to large, multicellular organisms like humans.

Cells have specific functions that help keep these varied creatures alive and kicking. In order to make these functions happen, chemical reactions occur within cells. Oftentimes, these chemical reactions are sped up by a special kind of protein called an enzyme.

In this article, we’re going to answer a few questions: what are enzymes, what are enzymes made of, and what types of enzymes exist.

In writing, an author’s tone is his or her general attitude or feelings about the work’s subject matter and audience. Tone words are used to help express that attitude.

In this article, we’ll talk about what tone words are, analyze their use in several examples, and give a list of tone words with definitions that you can use in your writing.

Have you ever thought about how different kinds of animals have body parts that work in similar ways? Like bats and bees? Both creatures have wings—even though their bodies are structured very differently.

The key to understanding these differences lies in knowing what homologous and analogous structures are. In this article, we'll talk about each type of structure and discuss the similarities and differences between them.

It’s alliiiiiiiveeee!

Slime is a fun and interactive way to teach kids about chemistry. There are hundreds of slime recipes out there, which produce slimes with different qualities.

In this article, we’re talking all about slime: what it is, how to make it, and what you absolutely need to know to make the best slime of all time.

We promise, we won’t do that rhyme again.

Wondering how many zeros are in a billion? A trillion? A nonillion?

Whether you’ve recently won the lottery and are trying to make sure your bank account has the correct number of zeros or you’re simply trying to find an easy way to understand how many zeros are in large numbers (over a million), this is the article for you.

We’ll break down an easy trick for figuring out how many zeros are in large numbers and provide a handy chart for easy reference.

Have you heard the term “rational numbers?” Are you wondering, “What is a rational number?” If so, you’re in the right place!

In this article, we’ll discuss the rational number definition, give rational numbers examples, and offer some tips and tricks for understanding if a number is rational or irrational.

Struggling to figure out when you should use e.g. vs i.e.? What about i.e. vs ex.? E.g. vs e.x.?

Those are enough abbreviations to make your head spin! In this article, we'll break down what i.e., e.g., and ex. all stand for and explain how to use each properly in a sentence. We'll also give you some quick tips for remembering which is which.

Do you know the difference between prime and composite numbers? If not, don’t worry! You’ve come to the right place.

In this post, we’ll talk about what prime and composite numbers are and give you a handy chart you can use to quickly see if something is a composite number.

Looking for a fun and effective way to reinforce the math skills learned in 5th grade? Try playing a game! Games are a great way to solidify the key lessons fifth graders learn in the classroom while also having fun.

In this article, we'll talk about the key skills students learn in fifth grade, why games are so important for mastering those skills, and give you a list of 10 games you can start playing right now.

If you’ve found yourself waitlisted or deferred from your dream school, you might be worried and frustrated. What does being on the waitlist mean? Do you still have a chance of getting in? What can you do to improve your chances?

While there’s not one singular way of ensuring your eventual admission to your dream school, a letter of continued interest can show your continued dedication to the admissions committee. In this article, we’ll talk about what a continued interest letter is and give a letter of continued interest sample so you know how to write your own if you need to.

When you’re applying to college, each part of your application counts. You want to maximize every opportunity to make yourself stand out from the thousands of other applicants vying for a spot at the school of your dreams.

One of the many places you can distinguish yourself is in the Common App Honors section. In this article, we’ll talk about what the Honors Common App section is and how to maximize it to show your best work.

The admissions committee that decides whether or not you get into your dream school can often seem shrouded in mystery. Who, exactly, are these people? A group of soulless office workers who delight in stamping “Rejected” across applications? A team of well-trained robots who data-mine your application and input it into an algorithm?

While it may seem like the admissions committee process is secretive, that’s actually not the case. Admissions committees are made up of real, live humans whose sole job is to put together the best incoming class possible for their college or university.

Let’s learn a little more about college admissions committees.

You’ve been accepted into your dream college! Congratulations! Now comes an entirely new challenge: figuring out how to pay for your education.

College is expensive and becoming more so every year. If you don’t have a small fortune to fall back on (and most students don’t), you’ll need to put together a financial aid package that covers your tuition, room & board, and other expenses.

One common financial aid program is work study. In this article, we’ll answer the question “What is work study?” and discuss who qualifies for it, how much money you can earn, and whether or not you should take a work study job.

Shortly after the conclusion of the August 2018 SAT, rumors started to circulate that there was a problem with the test that gave some students an unfair advantage.

The basic gist of the complaint is that the test given on August 25 in the United States was actually the same exact exam that had been given internationally in October 2017.

This accusation raised the concern that some students would have had a leg up on others, since they may have seen the questions before, either because they took the exam when it was offered internationally or because they used the previous exam’s questions to study for the August 2018 test.

Let’s take a look at what really happened with the August 2018 SAT and what that means for you as a test-taker.