SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

The SAT is a predominantly multiple choice test, with the only exceptions being a written essay and ten student-produced math questions. In total, the SAT asks 67 Critical Reading questions, 54 Mathematics questions, and 49 Writing questions. Altogether, these add up to a total of 170 questions (plus the essay).

SAT questions typically increase in difficulty level throughout their sections, with the exception of passage-based Critical Reading questions, which chronologically follow their accompanying passage(s).

 The SAT measures reasoning skills and college readiness on a 2400 point scale, with a maximum score of 800 for each of its three sections, Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing. The SAT has used this scale since 2005, following its addition of the Writing section and essay. Before that, it was scored out of 1600, a scale that will return with the redesigned SAT in March of 2016.

Knowing your lines and angles is crucial for mastering SAT and is one of the foundational steps of geometry. Before you can tackle some of the more complex multi-shape problems that often appear towards the end of the test, you'll need to know just how to solve for all your missing angle measures. 

Almost without fail, there will be exactly two problems on any given SAT on lines and angles (note: these problems are distinct from questions on lines and slopes). Though this is a small percentage of the test in and of itself, line and angle knowledge provides the backbone for other geometry problems and so should be ranked high on your studying priorities. 

This will be your complete guide to lines and angles on the SAT—what they are, how you'll see them on the test, and how to solve these types of questions to maximize your points on test day.

You’ve dealt with the basics of coordinate geometry and points (and if you haven’t already, you may want to take a minute to refresh yourself) and now it’s time to look at the ins and outs of lines and slopes on the coordinate plane.

This will be your complete guide to lines and slopes--what slopes mean, how to find them, and how to solve the many types of slope and line equation questions you’ll see on the ACT.

Single variable equations are some of the most common types of problems on the ACT math section. You must know how to set up, use, and manipulate these kinds of equations, as they are a foundational element of mathematics upon which more complicated expressions (multiple variable, quadratics, etc.) are based.

So make sure you are prepared to tackle the ins and outs of single variable equations (no matter how they are presented on the ACT), before you take on some of the more complicated elements of ACT math.

This guide will be your complete walk-through of single variable equations for the ACT--what they are, how you’ll see them on the test, and how to set up and solve them.

Note: The current version of the SAT no longer includes this type of question. For up-to-date SAT writing tips, check out our top guide here.

Identifying Sentence Errors (ISE) questions, which ask you to pick the error in a sentence out of four underlined sections, seem like they should be the easiest part of the SAT Writing section. After all, you only have to find the error, you don't have to fix it. The test writers, however, are extremely adept at camouflaging the mistake in each sentence—if you don't know what to look for, you can easily find yourself assuming there's no error in as many as half of the sentences.

As such, it's vital that you take a systematic approach to the Identifying Sentence Errors questions. If you count on spotting the error by simply glancing over the sentence or by looking for sections that "sound" weird, you'll miss a lot of questions.

In this post, I'm going to detail the most effective approach to these questions and the common errors you need to look for:

The ACT has a straightforward test format, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy test. You’re going to need to know how it’s structured and what kinds of questions to expect on each section in order to do well. In this article, I’ve listed 20 essential ACT tips, broken down by section, that will help you conquer the most difficult aspects of the test.

Is the ACT of today the same test that was given years ago? According to students and test experts, the ACT has gradually been getting harder over the years, both in the level of its questions and its fast pace.

So what does the ACT have to say about these claims? Is the ACT hard now more than ever before? And what exactly do people think is getting more difficult on this already challenging test? 

Now that you’ve received your SAT scores, it’s time for the most important part of this process—actually sending scores to colleges! But how do you do it? What are your options? In this article, I’ll give you all the information you need on how the process works and what choices you'll have when sending scores.

What are the instructions that you’ll see on the SAT? And are they important? In this article I’ll take a closer look at the directions you’re given on the test and tell you what parts of them are most critical for earning high scores!

If you’re planning on taking the ACT, you’re probably wondering what you can expect in terms of scores. In this article, I’ll take you through the basics of how the test is scored, show you where your scores fall in relation to other students, and give you a few tips on how to plan your studying to meet your goals.

What exactly are the instructions on the ACT? Do they really matter?

We will go over the complete ACT directions, including the main directions and the specific directions for each section. We’ll show how they reveal tips for how to do well on the test. You may be surprised by how many hints there are in the ACT directions!

Furthermore, knowing these directions before test day can save you time and stress – so you can just focus on the questions! So read on to be as prepared as possible for the ACT.

You may have heard of Pell Grants, which can be really important in helping students fund their college educations. Although the Pell sounds enticing, figuring out how to actually get a Pell Grant may be overwhelming. How do you know if you're eligible? Where do you apply? How do you keep track of your application? 

As it turns out, getting a Pell Grant isn't too difficult if you know where to begin. Follow the steps in this guide to optimize your chances of receiving Pell Grant money. 

If you're looking into applying for a federal Pell Grant, you may also be concerned about budgeting out your college expenses. What should you expect, exactly, from a Pell Grant? How helpful could it be?

Here, we'll outline the steps to figuring out what the Pell Grant can do for you. Read on for more information on Pell award amounts, and instructions on how to figure out what your grant will look like.

If you're looking for a quick and simple way to estimate your Pell Grant eligibility, you've come to the right place. I've included a couple of different charts that you may find helpful: one to check off federal eligibility criteria, and one to to estimate Pell Grant award amounts. Read on to learn more!