SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

There are a variety of reasons why you might want to take online AP courses. Maybe your school doesn't offer all the courses you want to take. Maybe you're homeschooled. Or maybe you want to do a little extra academic work to show colleges what you're passionate about.

But there's a lot to consider before you take the plunge and possibly drop a few hundred dollars on a class. I'll take you through the basic information about online AP courses, some pros and cons, who should consider them, and how to choose classes if you do decide to take an AP course online. Finally, I'll offer some brief blurbs on some of the most popular courses out there.

There's one thing that every student studying for the ACT definitely needs: practice tests that are almost identical to what you will face on test day. No matter how you study, we've found that most students really benefit from taking a full ACT practice test several times in as close to official test-taking conditions as possible. This is the best way to get comfortable with the pace, timing, and format of the exam, and to work on both your endurance and stress-management techniques.

So how do you get your hands on enough ACT tests to put yourself in the hot seat for practice? In this article, we'll link to all the official tests and question sets released by ACT, Inc. and give you suggestions on where to find others so that you have more than enough practice materials to get ready for this important college admissions test.

Have some $2 bills lying around and wondering if they're your ticket to a life of wealth and luxury? Before you start planning how to spend your riches, read this article to learn how much is a 2 dollar bill worth. This FAQ guide will answer all the common misconceptions about $2 bills and explain the crazy history behind them.

Have you heard about how impressive the Regeneron ISEF (previously called Intel ISEF or the Intel Science Fair) is and want to know if it's true? Can it really be a ticket to acceptance at top schools? Yes, the Regeneron ISEF is a highly-competitive science fair that attracts top high school students from around the world. Read this guide to learn how to get into ISEF, what a top project must have, and how you can put yourself in the best position to win this competition.

If you’re looking for a relaxing way to spend an evening that won’t break the bank, consider adding some 2 person card games into your rotation of activities. Two person card games are a great way to exercise your brain and have fun in the process!   

This article will explain how you can play 15 of the best 2 person card games for kids, adults, and families--and all you need is a standard 52 card deck. For each game, we’ll explain: 

• What age group the game is best suited for 
• How to play each game 

If you want to try out a themed card game for two, we’ve also found 5 specialty card games that will have you shuffling and dealing on repeat. 

Ready to play? Then let’s dive in. 

Engineering schools don't look for the same things on a college application that the average school does. I would know -- because I have an engineering background and spent substantial time studying the process of getting into Caltech and MIT, and then I did it. Here, I reveal how they're different.

So you need to take the ACT, but you don't anything about it. What now? How do you go about preparing for the test?

The coronavirus global pandemic has forced the College Board to make lots of changes to their usual AP testing protocol and format for the 2020 exam cycle. Colleges and universities have taken notice of the changed conditions for AP testing this year, and many students are wondering how their chances of earning college credit through AP scores will be affected by these changes.

In the article, we’ll provide a full overview of the current info surrounding how universities are handling AP scores during the COVID-19 pandemic. We give you a full run-down on why schools are reconsidering whether this year’s AP exams will count for full college course credit. We’ll also give you three tips for staying up-to-date on changes to schools’ AP score policies as you navigate these changes over the next few months. 

Let’s get started!

Are you concerned that, as a result of the novel coronavirus, you won't be able to take an SAT or ACT this fall? Multiple spring and summer exam dates have already been cancelled as a result of COVID-19, and there's no guarantee that in-person exams will be safe to hold in the fall. What does that mean if you were planning to take one of those tests, especially if you're a high school senior who needs standardized test scores to apply to college?

In this article we go over everything we know about potential online SATs and ACTs, as well as our expert opinion on what online standardized tests will be like, how they'll be viewed by colleges, and if this means the exams will move online permanently.

You know you want tutoring...but what kind of tutoring should you go for? How can you really figure out if online tutoring is as good as in-person tutoring? You asked for it, you got it: a side-by-side comparison of online tutoring and in-person tutoring. And by side-by-side, I mean listed vertically, one after the other.

I’ll go into where each method excels…and where each method falls short.

Most colleges and universities in the United States require applicants to submit at least one essay as part of their application. But trying to figure out what college essay topics you should choose is a tricky process. There are so many potential things you could write about!

In this guide, we go over the essential qualities that make for a great college essay topic and give you 50+ college essay topics you can use for your own statement. In addition, we provide you with helpful tips for turning your college essay topic into a stellar college essay.

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended much of the world, and colleges are no exception. Around the world, colleges have sent students home and implemented virtual classes. No more dorm living, cheering for your team at sports games, or meeting new people in the cafeteria. Now, many students are learning via online classes in their parent's homes. And, unfortunately, no one yet knows if the coronavirus will be contained enough to allow campuses to open up in the fall. For incoming college freshmen, this is a huge blow. They already missed out on their final months of high school, along with all that entails such as prom and graduation. Now they might begin their college experience in much the same way. 

For some of these students, the thought of losing even more traditional experiences, such as moving into the dorms with a roommate, joining college clubs, and engaging in classroom debates, is enough to make them consider postponing college until students can return to classes. In fact, if schools don't resume in-person classes, more students than ever before may end up taking a gap year. Currently, 16% of high school seniors are planning to take a gap year rather than virtual classes.

But is deferring college during a pandemic the right decision for you? What factors do you need to consider and what questions do you need to ask yourself before you decide? We go over everything you need to know and think about to make the best decision for you.

Whether you're writing fiction or building out a D&D campaign, you know that choosing the right names for your characters is a tough task. You want to make sure your characters' names are appropriate, memorable, and meaningful!

If you're hoping to stumble upon that perfect character last name, check out this article's list of 78 unique last names for girl characters, guy characters, and characters from a range of genres, including:

• Action Adventure
• Mystery/Thriller
• Fantasy
• Romance
• SciFi

We've also put together a list of five tips for selecting unique last names for your characters to help you put a name to your characters' personalities all on your own. So, let's get started!

If it feels like your days are on a loop of kids shouting, “I’m bored!” while staring at a screen, try mixing things up with some easy and earth-friendly art and craft projects. These projects can be put to use in your home to help your children stretch their brains, spark their imaginations, and even give you a little quiet time to complete some projects of your own.

We’ve put together a list of 22 fun art projects for kids and teens to get you started. We’ve also included three tips for implementing art projects at home that will help keep your kids’ creative ventures hassle and (mostly!) mess-free. 

So let’s dive in!

Math games are a fun and easy way to help your kids work on their math skills at home while school’s in and out of session. But choosing math games that are educational and fun can be tough, especially when you’re already juggling a busy schedule.

Don’t worry: we’re here to help. Our expert guide to 20 math games for preschoolers, elementary, and middle schoolers will help you choose games that are both educational and fun. We’ve compiled a mix of analog and digital games, too...so you’ll be able to choose the learning option that best suits your family.

Best of all, you can implement all of these games at home—and most of them are free!