SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

Most private schools in the United States require applicants to take an entrance examination as part of the admissions process. If you’re preparing to go to private school, you’re likely wondering what exam you’ll need to take.

There are two standardized exams used by admissions committees at private elementary, middle, and high schools: the ISEE and the SSAT. What is the difference between ISEE and SSAT exams? In this ISEE vs SSAT guide, we will explain the difference between the two and offer tips to help you decide whether to take the ISEE or SSAT.

Thinking of attending a private elementary, middle, or high school in the United States? Then you’ll need to take an entrance exam called the ISEE. But what exactly does this test entail? In this article, we'll go over what the ISEE test is, how it's structured and scored, what a good score on the ISEE exam looks like, and how to study effectively for it.

Many students applying to private schools need to submit ISEE scores. The ISEE is known for being a tough exam, and preparing for it can help you reach the score you’re aiming for. But where can you find the best ISEE practice tests? And how can you make the most of them? We’ve collected the absolutely best ISEE test prep resources, both free and paid, in this guide to help you with your ISEE studying. 

While you might think college preparation only happens during the summer before college, this isn’t necessarily true. In fact, you can start preparing for college as early as 9th grade! But what exactly does the process of college preparation entail?

Here, we explain how to prepare for college at every grade level in high school. Specifically, we take a look at what you can do on the academic, financial, and extracurricular fronts, providing you with advice and tips, as well as a helpful preparing-for-college checklist.

The ISEE, or Independent School Entrance Examination, is a test that many students have to take to gain admission into private middle and high schools in the United States. That means that if you want to attend a private school—or if you want your child to attend a private school—there’s a good chance you’ll have to register for the ISEE as part of your admissions application. 

In this article, we’re going to explain everything you need to know about ISEE registration, including: 

• Which test level to register for
• How to choose ISEE test dates
• A step-by-step guide to ISEE test registration 
• A quick look at what to expect from the ISEE exam

Keep in mind that ISEE test registration—which includes choosing ISEE test dates, locations, and paying for the exam—must be done by a legal adult. 

Now, without further ado, let’s talk about the ISEE exam! 

The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is a standardized test for students in grades 2 through 12 take to apply to many private schools. ISEE score reports are known for containing a lot of information, most of it not very intuitive. So what do these scores mean? Which are the ones schools care about? And what is a good ISEE score? Read on for the answers to all these questions!

When are the upcoming SSAT test dates? How often is this test administered? Students hoping to attend private schools often need to take the SSAT, and since this test is only given a few times a year, it's important to know the upcoming SSAT test dates so you can register early enough to ensure you get a spot.

In this guide, we provide you with a chart of the upcoming SSAT test dates, which makes it easy to see when you can take the test and when you need to register for it. We also give tips on test fees, explain what to expect on test day, and offer advice on when you should take the SSAT.

If you don't have a traditional high school diploma, you can still earn an equivalent credential by getting your GED. But what is a GED?  What does GED stand for? Basically, a GED is a credential that can substitute for a high school diploma.  Since most employers (and all colleges) will require you to have graduated from high school, it's usually a good idea to get a GED if you don't complete high school. Doing so helps to ensure that you'll have access to more opportunities later in life.

In this article, I'll go through the GED meaning, the advantages this credential can give you, and how to get your GED.

If you’re a writer—fiction, non-fiction, or fanfiction—you can put those skills to work for you. There are tons of writing contests for high school students, which can award everything from medals to cash prizes to scholarships if you win.

Not only will a little extra money, whether cash or scholarships, help you when it comes time to pay for college, but the prestige of a respected reward is also a great thing to include on your college application.

Read on to learn more about what writing contests for high school students there are, how to apply, and what you could win!

Want to challenge yourself this summer? Interested in showing colleges some of your academic interests? If so, you might heave heard about the Summer Institute for the Gifted.

In this post, we'll explain what the Summer Institute for the Gifted is all about; cover logistics such as application materials, cost, and dates; and help you decide whether it's a good fit for you.

Getting ready to take the PreACT? Then you might be wondering whether you should prep for it—and what resources you can use. Is there a PreACT practice test you can take? What kinds of PreACT resources does ACT, Inc. offer?

Keep reading to learn why it’s a good idea to lightly prep for the PreACT, and get a comprehensive list of the best PreACT practice tests and materials you can use in your studying.

If you didn't graduate from high school, going back and finishing it so you can finally get your high school diploma is a practical step. But if you’re an adult well past your teenage years, the prospect of going back to high school can be pretty intimidating. Fortunately, there are alternative ways adults can earn a high school diploma.

Read on to learn more about what the general steps are for getting a high school diploma, how important having the physical diploma is, whether you can attend college without a high school diploma, and what your options are for legitimate adult high school diploma programs.

No high school diploma? Then you might be thinking about taking the GED test. Can you take the GED online? What about online GED courses?

In this guide, we’ll discuss what the overall GED process entails and why you can’t actually take the GED online (even though it would definitely be more convenient!). We’ll also give you our top picks for the best online GED classes.

Academics and athletics have a lot in common: they require tons of practice, dedication, and diligence to succeed. Athletes often get trophies, medals, and letterman jackets to reward them for their accomplishments on the field and in the gym.

But earning great grades can be just as tough as winning a state football tournament! That’s why many schools choose to honor their top two graduates by awarding them the titles of valedictorian and salutatorian.

We’ve already covered what a valedictorian is in another post, so in this article, we’ll answer all of your questions about salutatorians, including:

• What is a salutatorian?
• Does being a salutatorian help you get into college?
• What is a salutatorian speech?
• How do you become a salutatorian?

Are you ready to learn more about what it means to be the salutatorian of your graduating class? Then let’s get started!

There are lots of reasons to work hard in high school: you gain important knowledge and skills, your grades help you get into great universities, and your dedication can even earn you scholarship money for tuition!   

But your hard work can also help you become valedictorian or salutatorian, which are awards given to the top two students in your graduating class. But what does it mean to be a valedictorian vs. a salutatorian?

Don’t worry: you’ve come to the right place! Not only will we explain what a valedictorian and salutatorian is, we’ll also dig into the similarities and differences between the two awards and what they mean for the college admissions process.