The Digital SAT is not scored the same way that the paper SAT was. Learn here about how the scoring system has changed….so you can work it to your advantage!
Prep plan for the Digital SAT Math
With the recent change from a paper-based to a now fully digital SAT, many of my private tutoring clients have been wondering whether prep strategies have changed, too. That’s why today I’m dedicating a whole post to what you should do if you want a high score on the Math section of the Digital SAT.
Digital SAT and ACT: How Long Should You Study?
So…how long does it take to study for the DSAT 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 Digital SAT or ACT and nail your target score, consider these factors.
Which do colleges like better—ACT or Digital SAT?
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 Digital SAT: Pros and Cons
The computer-based version of the SAT is now the ONLY version of the SAT that students can take. It’s not just a simple switch in format—a lot of substantial aspects of the test have changed, too, from how long it takes to how hard the questions are. Arm yourself by learning about the 5 main pros and cons of the new iteration of the test.
Do Elite Colleges Require a Perfect SAT/ACT Score?
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 attain the score you’ve been studying so hard for. Here are my ten expert pointers for a Test Day morning that sets you up for success.
SAT and ACT Schedule, 2024-2025
The 2024-25 testing dates for the SAT and ACT have been released, and you’d better believe test prep guru Kristina Semos is bringing them to you all in one convenient place!
4 Schedules for Taking the Digital SAT or ACT: 2024-25 Edition
Okay, so you know you need a Testing Timeline—but where do you start? I’ve got you covered. One of these four basic Testing Timelines should get (almost) every high school Junior on the path to SAT or ACT success!
(How) Should You Study for the SAT/ACT in 9th and 10th Grade?
Most freshmen and sophomores do NOT need to study for the ACT and SAT! But if you're the kind of student who likes to get going ASAP, here's what you can do right now.
5 Quick Brain Tricks to Improve Your SAT or ACT Score
Not sure how to prepare mentally before your next exam? Check out these 5 strategies that will boost your brainpower.
National Merit Scholar Finalist? You Can Still Take Either the SAT or ACT.
If you’re a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship Program, you used to have the SAT forced on you. But these days, you can now validate your qualifying PSAT score with an ACT score! Let me explain how that impacts the testing decisions of high-achieving students.
Answering the ACT "Fork" Question
The "fork question" is my term for a particular question form on the ACT that can waste your time and induce unnecessary errors...unless you see it coming. Read on for the lowdown on how to conquer this tricky question type.
Top Grammar Terms to Know for the Digital SAT
There’s the English we speak when we’re hanging out with our friends….and then there’s the English that we learn in high school grammar courses….and THEN there’s the English that’s tested on the SAT. There are some important differences between the three! That’s why this week’s post rounds up over a dozen of the words that trip up SAT studiers the most, from deceptively familiar parts of speech to oddball words we almost never use aloud.
Overwhelmed by Junior Year? Here's What to Do.
Don't throw in the towel! Instead, muster your grit and learn to make time for schoolwork AND test prep.
Too Busy to Study for the ACT and SAT?
Even the most gung-ho high schoolers can struggle to find time for SAT and ACT study. This post explains the technique I use to find time in my clients’’ busy schedules to make sure they get the scores they want. The truth is, you DO have the power to make choices about how to spend your time!
Got a Low Score on a Practice SAT or ACT?
So you’re chugging towards your target score on the SAT or ACT…when suddenly, you bomb a practice test. What should you do? It’s more about what you SHOULDN’T do, and I’m laying it out for you in this post!
Get into Your #1 School with these Four New Year's Resolutions
Happy (almost) 2024! As we all look towards a bright new year, here are some resolutions that will move you towards a major goal: getting into your dream college.
Why "Study More" Isn't a Good SAT/ACT Study Strategy
"Study more!" is almost a reflex in parents during the college process. But standardized tests don't work that way.
Didn't Do Well on the SAT or ACT?
Did you just get back a not-so-hot test score on your ACT or SAT? Never fear. Kristina Semos is here…with a guide on how to recover and do better on your next one.
