Chances are, you've heard the phrase "rigorous course load" before. You probably even know that this is something colleges really look for in applications for admission.

So how can you ensure that your high school course load is rigorous or challenging enough? How do you balance this with getting a good GPA? How do you balance the need for rigor with your limitations, extracurricular interests, family and friends, and desire to not overwhelm yourself?

Read on for our advice on choosing between harder classes and more classes, and harder classes and better grades. We also go over how many AP classes and electives you should take.

Are you about to start college soon? Are you wondering what changes to expect? How is college different from high school? When you compare high school vs college, you'll find many differences, some of which are obvious, others less so.

It's important to understand how high school and college are different from each other so you know what to expect and can have a smoother transition when you begin college. In this guide, we explain the 15 most important differences between high school and college and give you tips to help make this major life change a bit less intimidating.

It's never too early to start planning!

When should you start preparing to apply to college? When you sign up for the SAT? The day you choose your freshman year classes? From the time you learn to read your first picture book?

This might be a matter of debate between you and your parents, but we can all agree that planning starts long before you actually start filling out applications. So to put yourself on the track for college success, should you start freshman year off by taking the PSAT?

A significant portion of the total digital SAT Math section will be word problems, meaning you'll need to create your own visuals and equations to solve for your answers. Though the actual math topics can vary, SAT word problems share a few commonalities, and we’re here to walk you through how to best solve them.

This post will be your complete guide to SAT Math word problems. We'll cover how to translate word problems into equations and diagrams, the different types of math word problems you’ll see on the test, and how to go about solving your word problems on test day.

Are you a 10th grader considering taking the SAT or ACT? Then you probably want to know what a good SAT/ACT score is for sophomores. While you might think we can simply use raw test score data from 11th graders, this information isn't totally accurate for or relevant to sophomores. Here, I'll analyze two data sets to figure out what's considered a good SAT/ACT score for 10th graders.

If you want a top SAT score, you need more than a desire to succeed. Determination and hard work are two vital ingredients for acing the SAT, but also you need to use effective study strategies to help you reach your goal.

I've helped hundreds of students prepare for the SAT, and I know the best methods to utilize to conquer this exam. In this article, I'll explain exactly how to ace the SAT, including how long you need to study, the best SAT prep strategies, and key test-taking tips.

So you've recently taken the ACT. Congratulations! But now you are probably wondering when and how you will be able to see your ACT scores. Where can you see your ACT scores? Read on to learn when ACT scores become available and how to check your ACT scores online.

NOTE: Looking for ACT scores from before Spring 2008 or forgotten your ACT ID? Then you should check out our article on how to get old ACT scores first!

An ACT diagnostic test is an important part of your ACT prep, but there’s a lot more to it than just answering a few questions and seeing how you score. A diagnostic test can be one of the best tools for shaping your ACT study plan, but you need to know where to find the right ones and how to take them properly.

In this guide, we explain what an ACT diagnostic test is, why it’s such an important study tool, where you can find the best diagnostic tests, and every step you should take to get as much valuable info from your diagnostic test as possible.

Need to take the ACT on the next test date but missed the late registration deadline? Luckily, even if it's already past the late registration deadline for an ACT test date, you might still be able to take the test by signing up for standby testing. But what exactly is standby testing? How do you sign up for it? Read on to learn how to request standby testing for the ACT and why you might do it.

If you took an AP test back in 2015, you might be wondering when exactly you took that exam. Or perhaps you just want to know how AP test dates change each year. Check out our table below to get the AP test dates for 2015, and read on for our exclusive tips and advice for prepping for AP tests—no matter what year you take the tests.

When you're applying to college, even small decisions can feel high-stakes. This is especially true for the college essay, which often feels like the most personal part of the application. You may agonize over your college application essay format: the font, the margins, even the file format. Or maybe you're agonizing over how to organize your thoughts overall. Should you use a narrative structure? Five paragraphs?

In this comprehensive guide, we'll go over the ins and outs of how to format a college essay on both the micro and macro levels. We'll discuss minor formatting issues like headings and fonts, then discuss broad formatting concerns like whether or not to use a five-paragraph essay, and if you should use a college essay template.

Have you heard about the PSAT or the National Merit program and are wondering what they are? Are you looking for ways to prepare for the SAT?

Read this guide to learn what the PSAT/NMSQT is, what it tests, and how it can get you ready for the SAT and earn you money for college.

Should you be worried about a low grade you got in middle school hurting your future college applications? Do middle school grades count for college? With college admissions getting more competitive and students preparing for college earlier and earlier, many people wonder if colleges look at the middle school grades of applicants.

Will that C you got in 6th grade math hold you back from getting into your dream school?

In this guide, we explain if colleges look at middle school grades, which grades colleges are most interested in, and everything you can do as a middle school student to prepare for the college application process.

Just as there are noteworthy examples of excellent college essays that admissions offices like to publish, so are there cringe-worthy examples of terrible college essays that end up being described by anonymous admissions officers on Reddit discussion boards.

While I won't guarantee that your essay will end up in the first category, I will say that you follow my advice in this article, your essay most assuredly won't end up in the second. How do you avoid writing a bad admissions essay? Read on to find out what makes an essay bad and to learn which college essay topics to avoid. I'll also explain how to recognize bad college essays—and what to do to if you end up creating one by accident.

The SAT / ACT is a good predictor of future college potential. During 8th grade these tests are looming ahead, but how do you know what's a good SAT / ACT score for someone at this grade level? Here, Dr. Fred Zhang does a novel analysis on two data sets to find what is considered a good score for middle school students.