SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

Developing solid TOEFL vocabulary skills can be one of the most challenging parts of studying for the exam, but it's also one of the most important. Many TOEFL questions either ask you the definition of a word outright or require you to have knowledge of certain words in order to answer a question correctly. With so many words in the English language, which are the ones you need to know?

We’ve done the hard work for you and determined the 327 most useful TOEFL words to know. They’re all listed below, along with a definition and sample sentence for each. We also end with tips on how to use this list most effectively in order to be prepared for vocabulary on the TOEFL.

What’s a good TOEFL score? Is it enough to just get above average or do top schools require more? If a school lists a minimum TOEFL requirement, can you meet that score and still get in, or should you aim even higher? And how do you find this information anyway?

This guide will explain everything you need to know about what a “good” TOEFL score is. First we’ll go over what great, good, and poor TOEFL scores are based on average exam results. Next, we’ll go over each step you need to take to figure out your personal “good” TOEFL score based on the schools you’re interested in, as well as where to find all this information. At the end of the guide we’ll also go over the next steps to take once you figure out what your personal TOEFL score goal.

Short on time? Watch this 4-minute video for key points. Read the entire guide to understand everything you need to know!

The TOEFL is a long and somewhat complicated test. It can be hard to determine the basic facts about the test, like how the TOEFL is scored, which is where we come in. The more you know about the exam before going in, the better prepared you’ll be to conquer it, so we'll explain everything you need to know about TOEFL scores.

In this guide, we’ll take you through how the TOEFL scoring system works, how each section is graded, and how (and when) you’ll receive and be able to send out your final scores.

Have you taken the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and want to know what your scores mean? Or are you about to take the test and don’t know what a “good” or “bad” TOEFL score is?

No matter what your question about TOEFL scores is, you’ve come to the right place!

The TOEFL is an important test for your academic needs, and understanding how the scoring system works will let you more easily plan for the future. In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know about the TOEFL score range, where your scores (or potential scores) fit into the ranks, and how to set your future TOEFL score goals.

Are you scoring in the 600-750 range on SAT Reading and Writing? Do you want to raise that score as high as possible—to a perfect 800?

Getting to a perfect SAT Reading and Writing test score isn't easy. It'll require perfection. But with hard work and my strategies below, you can do it. I've consistently scored 800 on Reading and Writing on my real SATs, and I know what it takes. Follow my advice, and you'll get a perfect score—or get very close.

The maximum score on the SAT is a 1600. Out of the two million students who take the test every year, only about 500 get the highest possible SAT score. This elusive perfect score catapults you to the top of high school academic achievement and can be a big boost to your college applications.

I scored perfect scores on the SAT. I actually scored two perfect scores—a 1600 in 2004 when I was in high school, and a 2400 in March 2014 when I took it ten years later.

Most of the advice out there about how to get a perfect score come from people who didn't get perfect scores. In this exclusive article, I'll be breaking down exactly what it takes, and the ruthless techniques I used to get a perfect score.

SAT and ACT scores are common admission requirements for college. But what if I told you that you could get into a great school without taking either of these exams? Behold test-optional colleges. Colleges that are test optional don't require you to submit SAT or ACT scores but will consider them if submitted.

In this guide, we'll explain what "test optional" means for different schools before providing you with a comprehensive list of test-optional colleges and universities in the US. The first two lists will cover the best test-optional colleges and universities (i.e., those ranked in the top 100), and the last list will include all other test-optional colleges in the country.

Along the way, we'll also give you a few key tips on when you should and should not send your SAT/ACT test scores to schools.

Are you scoring in the 600-750 range on SAT Math? Do you want to raise that score as high as possible—to a perfect 800?

Getting to an 800 SAT Math score isn't easy. It'll require perfection. But with hard work and my strategies below, you'll be able to do it. I've scored 800 on Math on all my SATs, and I know what it takes. Follow my advice, and you'll get a perfect score—or get very close.

If you're looking for PSAT practice materials, you've come to the right place. This guide contains all free PSAT materials, which you can download—including 10 PSAT practice test PDFs.

Unfortunately, since the PSAT's 2023 makeover, the College Board hasn't released a ton of practice tests. Luckily, though, you can still use old PSAT practice tests effectively to prepare. Before getting to the practice questions, we'll go over some of the changes made to the PSAT in 2015 and 2023. If you care about your PSAT score, read carefully so you don't waste your time studying the wrong things!

You've probably heard of the ACT and SAT, but how different are these two tests really In this extensive ACT vs SAT analysis, we look at the top 11 differences between the ACT and SAT and explain what these differences mean for you. And to conclude, we give you tips on how to decide whether you should take the ACT or SAT.

In many ways, the most labor-intensive part of your college application process is the essay. It’s not just about forwarding transcripts or entering a list of extracurricular activities—you have to craft something personal and compelling to show the admissions committee who you are beyond your resume.

To ensure you have a solid ACT study plan, you must first familiarize yourself with ACT registration dates. What and when are the most important ACT deadlines? How can knowing these deadlines benefit you as a test taker?

In this article, we go over upcoming ACT registration dates and examine the general patterns of ACT registration deadlines. We also discuss the differences in deadlines for late registration, standby registration, and changes to your test reservation before wrapping up with a look at how you can use ACT deadlines to your advantage.

In recent years, the number of states that administer the ACT statewide has more than doubled. There are now 10 states that require every junior to take the test and five more that either require the test in some districts or offer it as a free option for students who wish to take it.

This post explains why these programs exist, which states have them, and how you can take advantage of them if you live in one of these states.

Trying to save money on college applications? Good news! There are actually quite a few colleges that allow you to apply for free. In this article, I'll provide some general information about application fees along with a comprehensive list of all the schools that offer free applications.

Has your reading list been taken over by ACT prep books? There are a lot out there to choose from, and you want to make sure you're using high-quality materials that will get you ready for the ACT.

This guide is meant to help you choose the best ACT prep books to achieve your goals. We've divided the books up into three categories: the critical book you need, the best books for general prep, and the best books by ACT section. Before jumping into our recommendations, a quick note about the perspective we're coming from.