You’ve studied for months, and now the big day is finally here: you’re about to take the Digital SAT, SAT or the ACT. But all of that hard prep work will be wasted effort if you show up to the testing room without the supplies you need to rock the test! Never fear: I’ve made you a checklist of the 7-9 essential items you should bring with you when you take the ACT or SAT, now with updated info on what you should bring to the Digital SAT, too.
The Five Best SAT Reading + Writing Hacks
Strategy goes a long way on the Reading and Writing section of the Digital SAT. Here are my top five.
The Best Guessing Strategy for the Digital SAT and ACT
If you’ve taken a few SAT or ACT practice tests (or even a round or two of the actual test), you may have found yourself running out of time on a section or two. What should you do when you don’t have time to actually think through those last few questions? Will it help or harm your score to guess—and if you should guess, what are the smartest strategies for doing so? Read on.
2026 Guide to Superscoring on the Digital SAT and ACT
What’s a “Superscore”? If you’re applying to colleges—or if you’re a parent of someone who is—it’s essential you understand how this scoring system works and how it affects your college applications. I’m breaking down the details of super scoring on the Digital SAT and Enhanced ACT in this post!
SAT and ACT Dates, 2026-2027
When can you take the SAT or ACT in academic year 2026-27? And when will scores be released? Here’s the full list of dates.
How Long Does It Take to Study for the SAT and ACT?
How long does it really take to study for the Digital SAT or ACT? The answer to that question is anything but one-size-fits-all. So if you want to know how long it might take YOU to prep for the SAT or ACT and make it to your target score, consider these factors.
Do You Need a Perfect Score to Get Into a Top College?
If you want to get into an elite college, you need a perfect SAT or ACT score…..right? Actually, this week’s post explains why a perfect score is NOT always required for admission to Harvard, Stanford, or Yale….and how you should be using your college prep time instead of cramming for that 1600 or 36.
SAT and ACT: Ten Day-of Tips
It’s totally normal to feel nervous on the day that you wake up to finally take the SAT or ACT. But it’s also totally possible to then calm yourself down so you can actually get the score you deserve. Here are my ten expert pointers for a Test Day morning that sets you up for success.
What to Study if You’re Switching from the ACT to the SAT
Switching from the ACT to the SAT? The transition doesn’t have to be a pain. Today’s post breaks down exactly which new strategies and content you need to learn so that you can ace your new test!
Which Is More Likely To Get You into College: the SAT or ACT?
Given how much time goes into prepping for standardized tests, you want to make sure you’re taking the right test to begin with. So which one gives you a bigger advantage in college admissions—the Digital SAT or the ACT?
The Two Most Important Punctuation Question Types on the SAT & ACT
Are you consistently missing punctuation questions on the ACT English section or the Digital SAT Reading & Writing section? You’re not alone. In today’s post, I share two of my favorite punctuation hacks that help you instantly identify what the SAT or ACT is asking you to do. By simply looking at the answer choices, you can quickly determine what the question is testing.
When Is it a Good Idea to Cancel Your SAT or ACT Score?
There are new and helpful options for how to cancel your SAT or ACT score. But don’t get carried away, because there’s a really important question you should ask yourself before you take advantage of them: SHOULD you cancel your score? Let me walk you through the decision the way I’ve helped my students tackle it.
Complete List of Transition Words on the ACT and Digital SAT - 2026 Update
Transition words account for a surprisingly high number of points on the SAT and ACT! But what are they and how do they work? Here’s the most complete guide to transition words you’ll find.
Bad Score on the SAT or ACT? Here’s What to Do Next
Are you feeling bummed about a score you just received on your ACT or SAT? Here’s your guide on how to recover and do better on your next one.
SAT Reading & Writing: Avoid Burnout with this Trick!
A lot of SAT-takers report getting to Module 2 of the Reading & Writing section…and feeling suddenly exhausted and distractible. Fortunately, I’ve developed a special hack to help you avoid the dreaded R&W crash.
How to Stay Calm during the SAT & ACT: Page-Turn Zen
All the SAT and ACT prep in the world won’t matter if you get so nervous on exam day that you can’t remember what you’ve learned. That’s why I like to teach my SAT and ACT-taker clients this technique: Page Turn Zen. Read on for the deets on how this simple practice can help you stay calm—and increase your score by hundreds of points.
Guide to Diagnostic Testing for the ACT & Digital SAT
You might already know that you need to take a diagnostic test in order to set up a successful test-prep process. But did you know that HOW you take it really matters? I’m explaining what to do and what NOT to do in order to get the best results from your diagnostic SAT or ACT test.
My Top Strategy for ACT English Add/Delete a Sentence Qs
If the ACT is your test of choice, you’ll have to navigate quite a few questions about language, grammar, and writing. In this post, I spotlight one type of question that always appears on the test—the “add/delete a sentence” question—and spell out my failsafe tactic for figuring out the right answer. If you’re hunting for a quick and easy way to rack up points, read on!
Americans Applying to Australian/New Zealander Colleges: Test Score Requirements
U.S. high schoolers considering studying outside of America for college…can find the application process confusing. This week, I’m demystifying Australian and New Zealander university admissions so you understand which tests you need to take AND which scores you need to get.
Canceling Your SAT Score: Instructions and Advice
IF canceling your scores is really necessary, it can save your application! But how do you cancel your Digital SAT scores? Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough, for use in emergencies only!
