For almost 50 years, the SAT has played a pivotal role in the college admissions process. The upcoming transition from the traditional paper-and-pencil format to a digital, adaptive SAT marks one of the most significant changes since its inception in 1926. The Class of 2025 will be the first cohort of U.S. students to undergo both the PSAT and SAT in a digital, adaptive format.
Early acceptance rates at these institutions showed a significant advantage over regular decision rates, according to U.S. News data. Though crafting a standout college application can be a time-consuming and stressful process, submitting an application in the fall, well before the typical winter deadline for regular admissions, is possible.Read on to find out more.
The results of standardized tests have quite an influence on the decisions the universities and colleges make in relation to student admissions. Two major test types are the ACT and the SAT. If you are thinking of enrolling in university, chances are you will have to take one of the tests. But, which one should you? What is the ACT? What is the difference between SAT and ACT? Read on to find out!
Don't waste time. Get started now on applying to college with these tips.
With 2021 officially behind, the current class of high school juniors – the graduating class of 2023 – will be the next cohort to apply to college. While juniors may feel that they still have plenty of time to begin with their college hunting and college applications, it would be a serious mistake to let the approaching months go to waste.
Below are some actionable New Year’s resolutions that can orient high school juniors as they approach college prep in coming months.
I will earn my highest possible score on the ACT or SAT. While there will still be time to retake the ACT or SAT over the summer or in the fall, do your best to check this item off your to-do list now. That way, you can enjoy your summer more, make time for visiting potentially far-away colleges and have one less commitment on your mind during the infamously busy start of senior year.
I will visit at least half of my prospective colleges. Given that many students to apply to more than 10 colleges, campus visits should start as early as possible to allow yourself time to see each one. If you have a heavy course schedule, you can take advantage of the rest of winter break and spring break to tour colleges, ideally visiting more than one school on each trip.
I will arrange a work or internship opportunity that aligns with my goals. Because competition for summer jobs and internships can be stiff, you should start seeking out such opportunities months in advance. If you are not sure how to go about the process, talk to your school counselor or perform a search, for example on Internships.com.
I will finish touring my prospective colleges. Summer, which involves little to no schoolwork and consistently pleasant weather, is the perfect time to finish visiting colleges. You can make college visits especially memorable by going with classmates or friends who are interested in the same schools as you.
I will write several college essays: Summer is also the ideal season for completing creative tasks, since sunshine and social gatherings can lead to a good mood. Start writing a few college essays, even if they are unpolished or awkward.
At first, aim to craft more generic essays, ones that can apply or be adapted to different prompts. If you're unsure what that means, look at the Common App essay prompts for 2022 and supplemental prompts for your top-pick schools. You should notice similarities among the questions.
Finally, space out your writing sessions so that you can revisit your work with fresh eyes and have others contribute ideas, too.
I will remain as committed to my schoolwork as always. Not taking school seriously enough during senior year can result in disaster, as a significant decline in GPA can be a reason for colleges to revoke admissions acceptance. Avoid overconfidence and be consistent with your studies until the end.
If you are burned out from junior year and want to have a relatively lighter senior year, do not take on more responsibility than you are willing to commit to. Instead, slightly reduce the number of advanced classes you take or find a space in your schedule for a study hall. Remain studious and keep your college applications competitive through coursework and extracurricular activities.
I will tie up college application loose ends ASAP. The start of senior year is the season for completing unfinished business, which could mean giving the ACT or SAT one last try, finalizing your college essays or selecting those who will write your letters of recommendation.
Most college application deadlines loom around late fall and early winter, dates that tend to coincide with final exams and the holidays, so it would behoove you to tie up those loose ends sooner rather than later. Otherwise, what is usually the jolliest time of year could quickly become very stressful.
It’s never too soon to start planning for your future. Act now as a junior to ensure a smooth college application process. Making these resolutions is the perfect way to do that.
2022 Mock Test Dates
with a Live Virtual Proctor
VHES offers online mock SAT and ACT tests Saturdays at 9:00 am through Lessonspace, a teaching platform that enables our proctors to oversee virtual exams and gauge students' test readiness. Upon registering for mock tests, students will receive a test packet in the mail that includes the following:
ACT/SAT answer sheet
ACT/SAT test booklet
Testing instructions
Please sign up no later than Monday during the week of the mock test. The day before each test, students will receive an emailed link to join the virtually proctored test.
Upon completion of the test, parents and students receive a 9-page diagnostic report showing how the student is performing in each dimension of the SAT or ACT. This detailed report is used to establish a baseline score, is the basis for test-prep planning, and is instrumental in helping us customize a tutoring program that addresses the most pertinent test sections. For students taking both the ACT and SAT, we also provide a concordance chart with test recommendations. See what our baseline test reports look like: ACT and SAT. There is a $25 test registration fee.
Register for a mock test by clicking on a specific test date below.
Mock ACT test dates:
March 5, 2022
April 16, 2022
May 21, 2022
Mock SAT test dates:
March 19, 2022
April 9, 2022
May 14, 2022
Five Key Skills for Academic Success
It takes a combination of skills — organization, time management, prioritization, concentration, and motivation — to achieve academic success. But it's never too early or too late to help your child develop these skills. Here are some tips to get your child on the right track.
Talk to your child.
To find out which of these skills your child has and which he can develop further, start a simple conversation that focuses on his goals. Ask him about his favorite subjects, classes he dreads, and whether he’s satisfied with his latest progress report.
Listen for clues.
Incorporate your own observations with your child’s self-assessment. Is your child overwhelmed by assignments? She may have trouble organizing time. Does your child have difficulty completing her work? She may get distracted too easily. Is your child simply not interested in school? She may need help getting motivated.
Help your child identify which of the five skill areas are trouble spots:
Organization
Whether it’s keeping track of research materials or remembering to bring home a lunch box, children need to be organized to succeed in school. For many students, academic challenges are related more to a lack of organization than to a lack of intellectual ability.
Tips to help your child get organized:
• Make a checklist of things your child needs to bring to and from school every day. Put a copy by the door at home and one in his backpack. Try to check with him each day to see if he remembers the items on the list.
• Find out how your child keeps track of his homework and how he organizes his notebooks. Then work together to develop a system he will want to use.
• Shop with your child for tools that will help him stay organized, such as binders, folders or an assignment book.
Time Management
Learning to schedule enough time to complete an assignment may be difficult for your student. Even when students have a week to do a project, many won’t start until the night before it’s due. Learning to organize time into productive blocks takes practice and experience.
Tips to help your child manage time:
• Track assignments on a monthly calendar. Work backward from the due date of larger assignments and break them into nightly tasks.
• Help your child record how much time she spends on homework each week so she can figure out how to divide this time into manageable chunks.
• Together, designate a time for nightly homework and help your child stick to this schedule.
• If evenings aren’t enough, help your child find other times for schoolwork, such as early mornings, study halls or weekends.
Prioritization
Sometimes children fall behind in school and fail to hand in assignments because they simply don’t know where to begin. Prioritizing tasks is a skill your child will need throughout life, so it’s never too soon to get started.
Tips to help your child prioritize:
• Ask your child to write down all the things he needs to do, including non-school-related activities.
• Ask him to label each task from 1 to 3, with 1 being most important.
• Ask about each task, so that you understand your child’s priorities. If he labels all his social activities as 1, then you know where his attention is focused.
• Help your child change some of the labels to better prioritize for academic success. Then suggest he rewrite the list so all the 1s are at the top.
• Check in frequently to see how the list is evolving and how your child is prioritizing new tasks.
Concentration
Whether your child is practicing her second-grade spelling words or studying for a trigonometry test, it’s important that she works on schoolwork in an area with limited distractions and interruptions.
Tips to help your child concentrate:
• Turn off access to email and games when your child works on the computer.
• Declare the phone and TV off-limits during homework time.
• Find space that fits the assignment. If your child is working on a science project, she may need lots of space; if she’s studying for a Spanish test, she will need a well-lit desk.
• Help your child concentrate during homework time by separating her from her siblings.
Motivation
Most children say they want to do well in school, yet many still fail to complete the level of work necessary to succeed academically. The reason is often motivation. Tapping into your child’s interests is a great way to get him geared to do well in school.
Tips to help motivate your child:
• Link school lessons to your child’s life. If he’s learning percentages, ask him to figure out the price of a discounted item next time you shop.
• Link your child’s interests to academics. If he’s passionate about music, give him books about musicians and show how music and foreign languages are connected.
• Give your child control and choices. With guidance, let him determine his study hours, organizing system, or school project topics.
• Encourage your child to share his expertise. Regularly ask him about what he’s learning in school.
• Congratulate your child, encourage him and celebrate all his successes. Often what holds children back from trying is the fear of failure or the memory of a time they didn’t do well. You can help break this cycle by celebrating your child’s successes, no matter how small, and by giving him opportunities to succeed academically.
2021-2022 Mock Test Dates
with a Live Virtual Proctor
VHES offers online mock SAT and ACT tests Saturdays at 9:00 am through Lessonspace, a teaching platform that enables our proctors to oversee virtual exams and gauge students' test readiness. Upon registering for mock tests, students will receive a test packet in the mail that includes the following:
ACT/SAT answer sheet
ACT/SAT test booklet
Testing instructions
Please sign up no later than Monday during the week of the mock test. The day before each test, students will receive an emailed link to join the virtually proctored test.
Upon completion of the test, parents and students receive a 9-page diagnostic report showing how the student is performing in each dimension of the SAT or ACT. This detailed report is used to establish a baseline score, is the basis for test-prep planning, and is instrumental in helping us customize a tutoring program that addresses the most pertinent test sections. For students taking both the ACT and SAT, we also provide a concordance chart with test recommendations. See what our baseline test reports look like: ACT and SAT. There is a $25 test registration fee.
Register for a mock test by clicking on a specific test date below.
Mock ACT test dates:
February 5, 2022
March 5, 2022
April 16, 2022
May 21, 2022
Mock SAT test dates:
February 19, 2022
March 19, 2022
April 9, 2022
May 14, 2022
How to Understand the Changes in Standardized Testing
Like colleges and universities, private schools are changing the way they use admissions tests. Change has come to standardized testing, and not just college admissions exams like the SAT and ACT. Private grade schools are also altering the way they view testing.
For a variety of reasons, many colleges have chosen to go test-optional, meaning they no longer require test scores with student applications, or test-blind, meaning they will not take test scores into consideration even when they are submitted. Now, in the wake of the pandemic, private elementary, middle, and high schools are following suit with admissions tests like the SSAT, ISEE, and the HSPT.
“For admissions offices at all levels of education, the shift to test-optional is driven in large part by the need to keep application volume high,” says Brian Galvin, chief academic officer at Varsity Tutors. “Faced with testing challenges and decreasing applicant flow, schools had to look for a way to reduce barriers. Foregoing tests was an easy way to handle that.”
While the pandemic altered the thinking about standardized testing, Galvin says that even prior to the pandemic there was a growing acknowledgement that standardized tests don’t necessarily represent how students might perform. “There’s been a recent wave of ideological pushback against standardized tests, and the test-optional and test-blind trends reflect some of that,” he says.
Constance Borro, founder of Ivy Tutor Connection in Ohio, agrees the pandemic acted as a catalyst for educational institutions to reconsider the value of testing. “There’s a realization that mastery of material, the ability to perform under pressure and to persist at a task, and to think critically are skills that cannot be captured in a test,” she says.
Equity also plays a part in the changing attitude toward standardized testing. Education is often seen as an equalizer, but critics say that testing can be inherently unequal because students from low-income families often cannot access the same preparation courses and materials as students from wealthy families. Borro says admissions officers know that the ability to pay for test prep may correlate with higher test scores, and are relying less on testing for admissions as a result.
Christine Chu, a former assistant director of undergraduate admissions at both Yale and Georgetown, says that secondary schools are likely to continue following colleges and making admission test scores optional. But she also says this approach is still an experiment. “High schools will likely keep reviewing their test-optional policies,” she says.
So, what can parents do to help their children with applications? Education experts say there are several solid strategies. Testing has always been just one data point on an application. Without it, the other indicators may become more important. “With a test-optional policy, admission-based high schools continue to utilize other components to evaluate applications, including academic records, recommendations, essays and interviews,” Chu says.
Here are some things that families can do:
Know your school’s policy. Most schools are very transparent about how they treat testing. Make sure you understand the policy. If information on their website is insufficient, reach out and ask questions.
Take the test. Chu says it is a good idea for students to prepare and take an entrance exam. If the scores are good and the school can use them, that’s a benefit. If they are tepid, you may not have to reveal them to the school.
Broaden your child’s experience. Without testing, schools will be looking closely at other aspects of the application. Many have been increasingly interested in how applicants have contributed to the community. Volunteering and other community work is becoming a requirement.
Practice interviewing. Some schools require an interview as part of the admissions process. Borro recommends that students do practice interviews with adults to build confidence. In addition, they can schedule their first interviews at schools that are not a top choice to boost experience before interviewing at the school they really want to attend.
Borro says parents and students should remember that the individuality displayed in an interview often carries the day. “Kids are kids, and if their personality shines through and they are a delight to be around, the admissions officer will be interested,” she says.
2021-2022 Mock Test Dates
with a Live Virtual Proctor
VHES offers online mock SAT and ACT tests Saturdays at 9:00 am through Lessonspace, a teaching platform that enables our proctors to oversee virtual exams and gauge students' test readiness. Upon registering for mock tests, students will receive a test packet in the mail that includes the following:
ACT/SAT answer sheet
ACT/SAT test booklet
Testing instructions
Please sign up no later than Monday during the week of the mock test. The day before each test, students will receive an emailed link to join the virtually proctored test.
Upon completion of the test, parents and students receive a 9-page diagnostic report showing how the student is performing in each dimension of the SAT or ACT. This detailed report is used to establish a baseline score, is the basis for test-prep planning, and is instrumental in helping us customize a tutoring program that addresses the most pertinent test sections. For students taking both the ACT and SAT, we also provide a concordance chart with test recommendations. See what our baseline test reports look like: ACT and SAT. There is a $25 test registration fee.
Register for a mock test by clicking on a specific test date below.
Mock ACT test dates:
February 5, 2022
March 5, 2022
April 16, 2022
May 21, 2022
Mock SAT test dates:
February 19, 2022
March 19, 2022
April 9, 2022
May 14, 2022
Visit our Mock Testing page to learn more.
Learn more about our test prep program.
Find out how an academic coach can help.
Interested in one-to-one tutoring? Contact us to get started.
January is a great time to get organized and jump into the new year. Here are some tips for you!
Underclass Students
1. Meet with your high school counselor.
Review fall PSAT test scores and ask questions about the tests and your progress.
Ask for recommendations for summer programs.
Schedule next year's courses. Take your four year plan into the counselor with you. It will come in very handy in your discussion of what courses to take.
Discuss with your counselor any other school based standardized testing offered by the school (AP, IB, or school based SAT).
Ask any other questions on your mind, or that your parents may have.
2. Plan for Standardized Tests.
Juniors should prepare and plan to take all tests by the end of the school year.
3. Gear up for next year.
Explore summer programs.
Prepare for those standardized tests you have signed up for.
Ask teachers about their recommendation policies for summer programs, scholarships, or college applications (especially if you will be a senior next year).
Job shadow or do an internship to learn more about potential careers.
Plan college visits in spring break and other times in spring and summer.
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Senior Students
1. Meet with your high school counselor.
Request your last semester's grades for your records
Request your counselor send transcripts to any private colleges you applied to.
Request your counselor send transcripts to any public colleges if they request it.
Ask about scholarships and deadlines.
Check on graduation requirements and deadlines.
2. Check on college applications.
Make sure you have set up all your college email accounts.
Make sure you can log into all your college email accounts.
Check your college email accounts and follow up on any requests for information.
Confirm all your test scores have been sent and received by all your colleges.
Confirm all your recommendations (if needed) have been sent and received by the colleges.
Email an update to any colleges about additional honors or awards you have received since you submitted your applications.
3. Finalize your financial aid.
Talk with your parents about their college budget for you.
Attend financial aid workshops with your parents.
Check financial aid deadlines for colleges.
Check on scholarship application deadlines.
File you FAFSA and other forms (if required).
2021-2022 Mock Test Dates
with a Live Virtual Proctor
VHES offers online mock SAT and ACT tests Saturdays at 9:00 am through Lessonspace, a teaching platform that enables our proctors to oversee virtual exams and gauge students' test readiness. Upon registering for mock tests, students will receive a test packet in the mail that includes the following:
ACT/SAT answer sheet
ACT/SAT test booklet
Testing instructions
Please sign up no later than Monday during the week of the mock test. The day before each test, students will receive an emailed link to join the virtually proctored test.
Upon completion of the test, parents and students receive a 9-page diagnostic report showing how the student is performing in each dimension of the SAT or ACT. This detailed report is used to establish a baseline score, is the basis for test-prep planning, and is instrumental in helping us customize a tutoring program that addresses the most pertinent test sections. For students taking both the ACT and SAT, we also provide a concordance chart with test recommendations. See what our baseline test reports look like: ACT and SAT. There is a $25 test registration fee.
Register for a mock test by clicking on a specific test date below.
Mock ACT test dates:
January 8, 2022
February 5, 2022
March 5, 2022
April 16, 2022
May 21, 2022
Mock SAT test dates:
January 15, 2022
February 19, 2022
March 19, 2022
April 9, 2022
May 14, 2022
Visit our Mock Testing page to learn more.
Learn more about our test prep program.
Find out how an academic coach can help.
Interested in one-to-one tutoring? Contact us to get started.
Top Ten Test-Taking Tips for Students
Here are the top ten tips to success!
1. Have a Positive Attitude
Approach the big test as you'd approach a giant jigsaw puzzle. It might be tough, but you can do it! A positive attitude goes a long way toward success.
2. Make a Plan
The week before the test, ask your teacher what the test is going to cover. Is it from the textbook only? Class notes? Can you use your calculator? If you've been absent, talk to friends about material you may have missed. Make a list of the most important topics to be covered and use that as a guide when you study. Circle items that you know will require extra time. Be sure to plan extra time to study the most challenging topics.
3. The Night Before
Cramming doesn't work. If you've followed a study plan, the night before the test you should do a quick review and get to bed early. Remember, your brain and body need sleep to function well, so don't stay up late!
4. The Morning of the Test
Did you know that you think better when you have a full stomach? So don't skip breakfast the morning of the test. Get to school early and do a ten-minute power study right before the test, so your brain is turned on and tuned up.
5. Test Time
Before the test begins, make sure you have everything you'll need - scratch paper, extra pencils, your calculator (if you're allowed to use it). Understand how the test is scored: Do you lose points for incorrect answers? Or is it better to make guesses when you're not sure of the answer? Read the instructions! You want to make sure you are marking answers correctly.
6. Manage Your Time
Scan through the test quickly before starting. Answering the easy questions first can be a time saver and a confidence builder. Plus, it saves more time in the end for you to focus on the hard stuff.
7. I'm Stuck!
Those tricky problems can knock you off balance. Don't get worried or frustrated. Reread the question to make sure you understand it, and then try to solve it the best way you know how. If you're still stuck, circle it and move on. You can come back to it later. What if you have no idea about the answer? Review your options and make the best guess you can, but only if you don't lose points for wrong answers.
8. Multiple-Choice Questions
The process of elimination can help you choose the correct answer in a multiple-choice question. Start by crossing off the answers that couldn't be right. Then spend your time focusing on the possible correct choices before selecting your answer.
9. Neatness Counts
If your 4s look like 9s, it could be a problem. Be sure that your writing is legible and that you erase your mistakes. For machine-scored tests, fill in the spaces carefully.
10. I'm Done!
Not so fast - when you complete the last item on the test, remember that you're not done yet. First, check the clock and go back to review your answers, making sure that you didn't make any careless mistakes (such as putting the right answer in the wrong place or skipping a question). Spend the last remaining minutes going over the hardest problems before you turn in your test.
Follow these test tips, and you'll know you did your best - congratulations!
2021-2022 Mock Test Dates
with a Live Virtual Proctor
VHES offers online mock SAT and ACT tests Saturdays at 9:00 am through Lessonspace, a teaching platform that enables our proctors to oversee virtual exams and gauge students' test readiness. Upon registering for mock tests, students will receive a test packet in the mail that includes the following:
ACT/SAT answer sheet
ACT/SAT test booklet
Testing instructions
Please sign up no later than Monday during the week of the mock test. The day before each test, students will receive an emailed link to join the virtually proctored test.
Upon completion of the test, parents and students receive a 9-page diagnostic report showing how the student is performing in each dimension of the SAT or ACT. This detailed report is used to establish a baseline score, is the basis for test-prep planning, and is instrumental in helping us customize a tutoring program that addresses the most pertinent test sections. For students taking both the ACT and SAT, we also provide a concordance chart with test recommendations. See what our baseline test reports look like: ACT and SAT. There is a $25 test registration fee.
Register for a mock test by clicking on a specific test date below.
Mock ACT test dates:
January 8, 2022
February 5, 2022
March 5, 2022
April 16, 2022
May 21, 2022
Mock SAT test dates:
January 15, 2022
February 19, 2022
March 19, 2022
April 9, 2022
May 14, 2022
Visit our Mock Testing page to learn more.
Learn more about our test prep program.
Find out how an academic coach can help.
Interested in one-to-one tutoring? Contact us to get started.
Starting Oct. 1, current and prospective college students can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, for their share of $150 billion in federal student aid — including grants, scholarships, loans and work-study — for the 2022-2023 school year.
Every year, college financing experts plead with students and their families to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible because schools often distribute student aid funds on a first-come, first-served basis according to the date the students complete the financial aid application. And every year, students miss out on billions.
“October 1 is incredibly important when it comes to paying for college because the FAFSA is the gateway to $150 billion in aid to help pay for higher education, including scholarships, grants, work-study and federal student loans,” says Ashley Boucher, who recently served as director of corporate communications for Sallie Mae. “But some of that aid is limited, some of it is first-come, first-serve, and so families want to be among the first in line to apply for their fair share of aid and that means preparing for this October 1st application date.”
Last year, FAFSA applications fell — even though financial need increased.
Discover Student Loans polled 1,500 parents with college-bound teens in early March 2020 and again in May 2020. They found that 48% of parents lost income as a result of the pandemic and 44% said they cannot afford to pay for as much of their child’s education as they had originally planned. As a result, 39% of those who in March said they did not plan to apply for federal aid, in May said they would.
Don’t miss out on financial aid – here’s how to get that money
During the 2020-2021 academic year, only 68% of students and their families submitted the FAFSA, down from 77% during the 2018-2019 academic year and 71% during the 2019-2020 academic year. Last year marks the lowest percentage ever recorded by Sallie Mae since the organization began its How America Pays for College report in 2008.
Lower-than-normal completion rates can be seen across a wide range of students. According to Sallie Mae’s report, 67% of low-income families, 70% of middle-income families and 66% of high-income families submitted the FAFSA.
Boucher says the decrease is “incredibly alarming” and “grounded in falsehoods.”
The most common reason families gave for not submitting the form was that they didn’t think they would qualify for any financial aid. But, there is no official income cutoff to apply for federal student aid.
Typically, “aid is available for anyone with a household income below $250,000 a year,” Charlie Javice, founder and CEO of Frank, an online FAFSA platform, previously explained to CNBC Make It. As a vast majority of Americans make less than $250,000, Javice says, being too rich to get aid “only applies to less than 5% of the U.S. population.”
“So it’s really important as FAFSA season comes up that people don’t forget that there is no such thing as being too rich to file FAFSA,” he says. “Everyone should be doing it.”
Other common reasons students gave Sallie Mae for not completing the FAFSA were that they missed the deadline, found the application too complicated and didn’t have enough time.
A recent survey of 1,000 undergraduate students by Student Loan Hero found that 85% of students don’t know that the FAFSA determines eligibility for free aid such as grants and work-study in addition to loans and 41% don’t know that filing the FAFSA early increases their chances of getting more financial aid.
“These misconceptions could be causing some students to ignore the FAFSA completely — one in five said they don’t plan to submit it this year. It’s a good idea for all students to submit the FAFSA, since it doesn’t have an income cutoff and can be used for more than just federal aid,” says Rebecca Safier, a student loan counselor for Student Loan Hero.
“One of the most dangerous misconceptions we discovered was that 43% of students believe you need to accept the full student loan amount you’re eligible for,” Safier says. “You don’t need to accept all (or any) of the student loans you’re offered, and in fact should try to minimize borrowing as much as possible so you don’t end up with burdensome debt after graduation.”
“Many families are still experiencing economic challenges as a result of a pandemic and we want to see more families keep their dollars in their wallet, and not pay more for college than they have to,” says Boucher. “Of course, that means starting with the FAFSA, but it doesn’t end there.”
Students can also lower their college costs by appealing the first financial aid offer they get from a college they want to attend.
According to Sallie Mae’s report, 29% of families who received a financial aid offer from a college appealed for more aid and 71% of those appeals were approved, leading to higher grant amounts in most cases.
Thanks to recent updates, the FAFSA application can be completed in as little as four minutes and CNBC Make It’s step-by-step guide for completing the FAFSA can help walk you through the process.
Click here to view our subject tutoring packages or here to check out our academic coaching service.
Continue to scroll down this page in order to view our test prep packages.
Vint Hill Educational Services offers test preparation for the ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, and SAT Subject Tests. Each session is one-to-one for individualized support. The tutor will assign one to two hours of test prep homework after each session. The sessions are ninety minutes in length and test prep materials are included. The tutor will focus on the student's weakest areas of the test. In order to ensure improvement, the student will continue to take full-length practice tests throughout the course. The student will also learn tips and test-taking strategies.
TUTOR SELECTION PROCESS
We don't just assign any available tutor; we actually hand-pick the best tutor for your child. Before accepting the tutor, parents receive a tutor bio to review and approve. The tutor matching process consists of the following: subject area knowledge, tutor education, tutor personality, tutor background, student weaknesses, student schedule, and tutoring preference (in-home, public library, Panera Bread/Starbucks, or at our offices).
ACT OR SAT - WHICH TEST SHOULD YOU TAKE?
For ACT and SAT prep, the student should take a full-length practice ACT and SAT, in order to determine which test is best to prep for. Check out our ACT versus new SAT comparison chart for test differences. The goal is to find out which test is better for each individual student. What we've found, is that one-third are better suited for the ACT, one-third are better suited for the SAT, and the last third are comparable. We'll use our score concordance chart and let you know which test the student is scoring higher on.
GROUP MOCK TESTING
You can register here for one of our ACT or SAT practice tests.
TAKE A PRACTICE TEST AT HOME
We can email diagnostic full-length practice tests to take at home or at a library; for the ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, and SAT Subject Tests. Parents will receive a free score report - view sample reports: ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT.
Upon purchase of a test prep package, the additional practice tests are included with the materials.
Confused about the tests and their structure? Learn more about the ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT.
The SAT Suite of Assessments helps students navigate their path through high school toward college and career, and offers a range of unique benefits to students.
The SAT is an admission test that's widely accepted by U.S. colleges, and the College Board has programs to encourage all students to take advantage of higher education. Income-eligible SAT takers receive college application fee waivers and all students can opt in to Student Search Service® to receive free information about admission and financial aid from colleges, universities, and scholarship programs.
The SAT Suite provides consistent feedback across assessments to help students stay on course and supports teachers as they adjust their instruction for students who are either ahead or behind. Learn more about how the assessments work together.
Students who take any test in the SAT Suite of Assessments have access to video lessons and will receive personalized SAT study resources based on their test results.Their Khan Academy® practice experience is tailored to meet individual student needs. Learn more about our partnership with Khan Academy.
Students can visit Roadtrip Nation to create free career roadmaps based on their interests. They can also explore college majors, watch videos for tips from experienced professionals, and see how to get to where they want to be.
The National Merit Scholarship Program uses PSAT/NMSQT scores to identify candidates. And scholarships offered by new College Board partners use information from the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 to expand access to scholarship dollars. Visit Scholarships and Recognition to get the details.
Using results from the redesigned SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9, AP PotentialTM helps schools identify students likely to succeed in certain AP courses and AP Exams. These students are also notified of their potential directly. Find out how these tests help schools grow their AP programs.
Within the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9, students encounter questions and tasks that closely resemble what is already happening in classrooms across the nation and the globe. This is why the best way to prepare for the assessments is to take challenging courses and to work hard in class. Learn more about these focused and useful assessments.
Vint Hill Educational Services offers mock tests for the ACT and SAT. These are taken in a group setting to simulate the testing environment. For the ACT and SAT, we will review the scores to see which test the student is scoring higher on. Since all colleges and universities accept both tests, it's beneficial to know if your child is scoring higher on the ACT or SAT. Check out our ACT versus SAT comparison chart for test differences. Sometimes the difference is like night and day, and for others, it may be a hairline higher on one versus the other. The student won't know which test is better, unless the individual takes one of each. We'll use our score concordance chart in order to make a test recommendation.
We offer one-to-one in-home test prep which encompasses all subject areas. This is ideal for students looking to achieve the largest score increases. Tutoring sessions are customized based upon the student’s strengths and weaknesses, which are revealed by having the student take one of our practice baseline tests or by submitting official score reports from previous tests. Our 36-hour program includes unlimited full-length practice test reports, unlimited course books, session notes for parents, and weekly homework assignments. Virtual prep is available through Lessonspace. Tutors can also meet students at our offices, local libraries, outdoor parks, or nearby coffee shops. *Our test prep tutors must pass ACT/SAT/SSAT/ISEE/HSPT diagnostic tests before being hired. We hand-pick the best tutor for your child based upon our matching process.
Passing the SAT exam with a good score is as important as your GPA when it comes to applying to colleges after high school. So, getting a high score should be your priority while preparing for this exam. Interestingly, you don’t have to sit for this exam countless times to get your desired score. Simply read this article to learn 25 proven SAT tips and tricks that will help you excel in 2021.
The SAT, which started as an adaptation of the Army Alpha in 1926, has gone through some changes to become the modern SAT. One of the most notable changes is the splitting of the SAT exam into two sections—the verbal section and the quantitative analysis section.
What is the SAT?
Why the SAT?
How Do I Get A Perfect SAT score? (Tips and Tricks)
#1. Remove three wrong answers (Most important SAT tip and trick)
#2. Always try to understand your mistakes
#3. Pay careful attention to connotation and context
#4. Make use of finding the evidence questions to your satisfaction
#5. Use a particular plan to read the passages
#6. Take note of passage introductions
#7. Put more interest in the passages
#8. Look for direct evidence
#9. Concentrate on filling content gaps first
#10. Try to resolve questions that you missed before looking at the answer explanations
#11. Underline major parts of the question
#12. Study formulas
#13. Study grammar rules
#14. Be careful with NO CHANGE answers
#15. Skim the paragraph before answering rhetoric questions
#16. Choose the more concise answer if both answers are grammatically correct
#17. Study and Write
#18. Use certain evidence
#19. Prepare before the night of the SAT test
#20. Skip the difficult questions
#21. Bubble at the end
#22. Double-check your answers
#23. Stay calm
What SAT score do I need to get into my school of choice?
Registration for SAT in 2021
What skills do I need for the SAT test?
How do they score the SAT?
Conclusion
The SAT is an entrance exam that most colleges and universities use to consider high school students for admissions. It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test established and given by the College Board. SAT stands for Scholastic Assessment Test, which was initially known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test.
The aim of the SAT is to check a high school student’s preparation for college. Also, it gives colleges one common data point which they can use to compare all applicants for admission.
Moreover, college admissions officers will assess standardized test scores together with an applicant’s high school GPA, the classes he/she took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admission interviews, and personal essays. The importance of SAT scores in the college application process varies from one school to another.
Nevertheless, the higher you score on the SAT and/or ACT, the more chances you’ll have to attend the college of your choice.
The SAT is a standardized test that shows schools that you’re prepared for college by assessing major skills like reading comprehension, computational ability, and clarity of expression. It gives schools reliable data on students’ performance in a nationwide exam.
You’ll definitely need to take the SAT or ACT if you’re applying to colleges or universities in the United States. This is because most schools need you to submit test scores together with your application. Depending on where you want to apply, your ACT or SAT score can determine about 50% of the admission decision. So, you really need a high SAT score.
Studying for the SAT is usually an uphill task for most high school students because they don’t know where to start. A nice way is with the structure of the test and best approaches to it.
Below are some of the new tips and tricks for the SAT in 2021, which will help you to excel in your quest for admission to colleges and universities.
Well, the most important SAT tip and trick to have in mind is that there is only one correct answer for each question. So, ensure that you eliminate any other second answer.
Actually, it means that your first plan on the test is to remove wrong answers. If you find any question difficult, try to find reasons to point out the flaw in most of the answers instead of reasons why some options could work.
This is a very important SAT tip and trick. Devote your time to understanding the mistakes you make on practice questions, the reasons for such mistakes, and the solution to avoid them in the future.
However, mistakes normally come from content weakness, time pressure, question comprehension issues, and careless errors. Above all, you have to understand your mistakes completely so that you can correct and improve your score.
Look for words that show positive or negative connotations in the part of the passage that the question is talking about. Honestly, this SAT tip and trick will help you to remove some choices even if you have no idea which of the remaining choices is correct.
In context, make sure that you don’t look at the exact line that is referenced in the question. Also, look at the sentences around it. Similarly, look for contrast words such as “however”, “rather than” or “still”.
Actually, the new SAT format has questions that ask you to choose a portion from the passage that serves as the best evidence for your answer to the previous question. Sometimes these questions will stump you, and you should circle them and move on. However, the remaining questions in that section can help you greatly in finding out the mistakes and clearing up vagueness. At the end of the section, go back to the question you circled and you may find you now know the right answer!
Well, there are some methods you can use depending on your reading comprehension skills. The methods include:
Read through the passage quickly
Don’t skip straight to the questions
Read the passage in full as you circle and underline important information
There is a little italicized blurb at the beginning of every SAT passage. However, this blurb gives you a bit of an idea about the passage and its author. In fact, this blurb has valuable information, and if you ignore it, you could miss out on easy points.
Whenever you want to retain information while reading passages on the SAT, you can do it by forcing yourself to engage with the material. Just treat this as a learning experience. You’ll definitely find it much easier to remember what happened in the passage.
Actually, questions on SAT reading may sometimes look subjective, but the reality is that you should try to find direct evidence in the passage to support your answers.
If you’re someone that has problems with basic math skills, you may have to put in much effort to improve. This eventually will help you to improve your SAT Math score.
However, the moment you notice you get stuck while practicing SAT Math questions—for example because you don’t like a certain content area—just work to overcome your content weaknesses before you do anything else. This SAT tip and trick is the fastest way to improve your scores.
Honestly, this is the best SAT tip and trick that will help you to truly understand how to solve questions you initially missed on the Math section.
I advise you to apply this SAT math tip and trick on the math section if you’ve missed questions by unknowingly solving for the wrong value. In fact, just underline what you need to find in the question with your pen or pencil so that you will not be confused while calculating.
There’s always a list of formulas in the SAT math section for you. If you start checking them, you’ll lose time and momentum. However, it is advised to have all the formulas memorized beforehand.
The SAT writing section has a certain systemized approach to grammar. It is advised to study the rules to reduce confusion. Even if you think you’re pretty good at grammar, it’s not always enough to just go by what “looks right” to you.
If you’re not used to some of the more outdated grammar rules tested on the SAT, just try to study them.
Once you realize that you’re answering NO CHANGE for several questions on the writing section, go back and double-check your answers. NO CHANGE will only be the answer for 25 percent or less of the questions where it’s an option.
If you’re selecting it more than that, you might be missing something. Be sure to check it again before you submit.
Rhetoric questions challenge you to inspect the whole paragraph or the whole of the passage to find the right answer. However, some of the examples of rhetoric questions are questions about sentence function, the logical sequences of sentences, and the author’s style and tone. Read through the paragraph quickly as a whole and then try to answer the rhetoric questions.
One of the very important tips and tricks for SAT Writing tests is briefness. This is one’s ability to use as few words as necessary to transmit an idea clearly. Before you can answer grammar questions correctly, you need to know which are the grammatically correct choices, then choose the most concise one.
There is an essay prompt on the new SAT that requires you to examine an argument given in a passage. The examiners want to see if you actually understand the author’s point and can write a clear explanation of how he or she builds the argument.
You’ll be given fifty minutes for the essay, so try and spend about 10-15 minutes to understand exactly what the author is saying and how you’ll draft your essay from your analysis. This essay has been made optional.
Try not to explain how the writer builds the argument in your own words, but prove your points with certain examples. If you’re skimming the passage for the first time, use a pencil to underline sentences or phrases that give evidence of the persuasive approach of the writer.
Also, you should use direct quotes in the essay to strengthen the most important points.
Students normally get nervous on the morning of the SAT test and this can make them forget a lot of things which they need for the test. So, before the night of the SAT, here is a checklist of what you need:
Admission ticket
Photo ID
#2 pencils and eraser
Calculator
If you’re having problems with a question, circle and skip it and move on before you waste too much time on it. Moreover, don’t spend more than a minute trying to answer any question in the math and reading sections. Also, don’t spend more than 30 seconds in the writing section.
Circle any questions that you skip so that they’re easier for you to pick out when you go back through the section. If you still can’t figure out the answer, take a guess!
Honestly, a nice method to save time is to fill in all your answers at the end of the section. You can do this by circling your choices in your test booklet as you go along. With this SAT tip and trick, you’ll prevent going back and forth between your test booklet and answer sheet.
Moreover, make sure you only use this plan if you already know you can finish the section with at least 3-5 minutes remaining.
Make sure that you always double-check your answers first. While going through each section, circle questions that you’re not sure of so that you can double-check strategically.
Moreover, if you have enough time, you can even go through and check all your answers. By so doing, you’ll find any careless mistake you might have made while rushing to answer the questions.
Try to keep a cool head on the test. In fact, once you see a question you don’t understand, don’t let it get you nervous. You might need to skip some questions at first. Just breathe and take it one question at a time.
SAT scores alone usually will not guarantee your admission into your dream schools. For you to stand a good chance of getting into your school of choice, try to have an SAT score that ranges from the 25th to the 75th of the colleges’ percentiles for admitted students.
On the other hand, if your score is lower than the 25th percentile for a particular school, you might still gain admission. This is because 25% of admitted students had a lower score and they still gained admission.
Students can register for the SAT using the offline method through a mail or online. Using the online method, candidates should create a login ID on the official SAT website and go ahead with the registration process.
Here are the online registration steps:
Visit the College Board official website.
Create your account.
Submit all the required details.
Select which exam you want to take together with your nearest test center.
Upload your passport photograph.
Then pay the application fee.
Also, the steps for registration by mail are as follows:
Get ‘The Student Registration Guide for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests, which is available at schools.
The guide includes a registration form and a return envelope.
The form needs to be sent along with a demand draft.
The local representative of the SAT in India is the USIEF. The mailed registration forms will be sent to their regional office.
The SAT exam examines Mathematical, Critical Reading, and Writing skills of the applicants. It analyzes the skills which students have learned in their schools according to the College Board. Also, it tests the skills which are needed for academic success in college.
The SAT test is scored using a scale of 400-1600. There is always one score for Math and one score for Verbal—comprised of “Reading” and “Writing and Language” sections. Both sections are scored on a scale of 200-800, with a total possible score of 1600. You may take the SAT test more than once.
Passing the Standardized test is not easy but you can make it easier for yourself. It is important to study for the test. If you want to do well on the SAT test and gain admission to the college of your choice, remember that you can learn to improve your score by using these 23 tips and tricks. Read more below on assessing your current score and finding a personalized tutor if you need one.
Vint Hill Educational Services offers mock tests for the ACT and SAT. These are taken in a group setting to simulate the testing environment. For the ACT and SAT, we will review the scores to see which test the student is scoring higher on. Since all colleges and universities accept both tests, it's beneficial to know if your child is scoring higher on the ACT or SAT. Check out our ACT versus SAT comparison chart for test differences. Sometimes the difference is like night and day, and for others, it may be a hairline higher on one versus the other. The student won't know which test is better, unless the individual takes one of each. We'll use our score concordance chart in order to make a test recommendation.
Register for a mock ACT by clicking on a specific test date below.
Mock ACT test dates:
Register for a mock SAT by clicking on a specific test date below. :
Mock SAT test dates:
We also offer one-to-one mock testing at our offices. This consists of a full-length practice test for your child. Tests include: ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, and SAT Subject Tests. We provide the test booklet, essay booklet, answer sheet, testing timer, calculator, and pencils.
We can send parents a practice test as well, to administer to their student in-home. We will send out a free practice test packet along with proctoring instructions. Parents must send the answer sheet back to us via email or mail.
ACT and SAT
$25 Registration Fee (1 Mock Test: ACT or SAT) Includes test scores comparison
Mock testing for the ACT and SAT, held in a group setting. Parents will receive a diagnostic score report and phone consultation. View sample student score reports: ACT and SAT.
For the ACT and SAT, we will compare scores in order to determine which test is better for the student to take. See virtual mock test dates above for the 2020-2021 school year.
What you do in the days after taking college entrance exams is just as important as pretest prep.
Most advice about taking the ACT and SAT instructs students on what to do in the days, weeks and months before the exam. However, the post-test period is also important because it requires specific and time-sensitive action from test-takers. If you have just taken the ACT or SAT or plan to do so, follow these three post-exam steps as soon as possible:
Order additional score reports if necessary.
Decide whether to submit your scores to test-optional colleges.
Review your performance with an eye toward future improvement.
Paying ACT and SAT test-takers are allotted four free score reports – the document that outlines your results – per sitting. If you retake either assessment, you will be entitled to four then, as well. Students with fee waivers are allowed an unlimited number of SAT score reports, while on the ACT the number is an additional 20 reports per exam.
The cost is $13 per college for each additional ACT score report and $12 for each additional SAT score report. Note that rush delivery incurs an extra fee.
On exam day, many students send their scores to four schools on their college short list. But students who forget colleges on their short list or who prefer not to choose right away are not obligated to.
The College Board, for example, allows students to use their four free SAT score reports even after test day. Don’t delay too long, though. The offer expires after nine days and the fee becomes $12 unless you have a waiver. For both the ACT and SAT, students can order a new score report at any time if they decide to apply to a new college.
Not all colleges require prospective students to submit ACT or SAT scores. Some institutions have always had a test-optional policy in place while some others have adopted this stance recently.
Due to the academic upheaval provoked by the novel coronavirus, an unprecedented number of universities have abandoned their testing requirements. Duke University in North Carolina, for instance, is waiving the requirement for the 2020-2021 academic year. Others, like the College of William and Mary in Virginia, are making test scores optional for the next few years. Still others are lifting the requirement permanently.
If any of your prospective schools are softening their testing policy, carefully weigh whether submitting your scores will help or harm your application’s standing. Students who are content with their SAT or ACT scores may benefit by including them with their application materials. On the other hand, students who are unsatisfied and send their scores anyway may unnecessarily compromise their chances of admission.
As soon as they receive their ACT and SAT score reports, students tend to zero in on their composite score. The composite score summarizes a student’s overall performance, so its merit as a test-taker's focal point is understandable. In reality, though, there is much more to the score report that warrants attention.
One extremely helpful feature of ACT and SAT score reports is that they break down your performance by test section, making it easy to identify your strengths and weaknesses. When analyzing your score reports, look carefully for patterns and trends in the data. For instance, if you underperformed in algebra and geometry questions, you may particularly benefit from reviewing ninth grade and 10th grade math material before beginning college.
If you decide to retest – another decision to be weighed carefully – your score report should be the guiding force in your prep sessions. By no means is it a document you should look at only once; keep it on hand and refer to it often to ensure your studies are suiting your needs. Your score report may also dictate how you review for future college-level assessments.
Check out our ACT versus SAT comparison chart for test differences. Sometimes the difference is like night and day, and for others, it may be a hairline higher on one versus the other. The student won't know which test is better, unless the individual takes one of each. We'll use our score concordance chart in order to make a test recommendation.
WE WILL BE PROCTORING TESTS VIRTUALLY ON SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 9:00 AM. UPON REGISTERING FOR A VIRTUAL MOCK TEST, YOU’LL RECEIVE A TEST PACKET VIA USPS MAIL.
Private Mock Testing is also available. Please contact us for further information.
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the relationship between college-bound students, families, and the institutions themselves. Some believe that these changes are permanent—from the de-emphasis of SAT/ACT scores to the widening economic gap between well-off institutions and struggling universities to the trend of more students delaying their freshman year. Only time will tell how the pandemic will alter university trends for future generations. However, the following five trends will likely be of greatest impact in 2021.
Trend 1: Authenticity and resilience are prized traits for applicants
Admissions committees are less interested in students who dabble in a dozen clubs than those who go all-in on their strengths and show excellence in their chosen fields. This has never been more true than in the Covid-19 era, when many students do not have the option to participate in extracurriculars as they have in years past.
Students who have doubled down on their strengths and ‘wowed’ admissions committees by being themselves fare better than those who don’t. There are plenty of ways students can get creative and showcase their talents and hard work. Students can write books, conduct sophisticated research, and even found national and global organizations. Colleges want to see applicants with the internal drive and resilience to lead something bigger than themselves. Stories of adaptability, ingenuity, and community-mindedness will undoubtedly impress in the pandemic era.
Trend 2: Standardized tests will be “optional but preferred”
Universities in which an SAT or ACT score is optional tend to accept students with test scores more frequently than they do those students without. For example, at the University of Pennsylvania, 75% of students admitted in the early round submitted standardized test scores, whereas only 25 percent did not. So be aware that taking the SAT or ACT is probably a good idea if you are hoping to get into one of the more competitive schools.
Trend 3: More students will continue to apply to early admission programs
In the fall of 2020, early admission applications to Penn rose by 23%. MIT saw an unprecedented 62% increase in early applications from the fall of 2019 to 2020. Harvard has seen an increase of 57% from last year. This dramatic increase in early applicants among highly competitive schools may be explained by the fact that many of these schools, including all of the Ivies, no longer require SAT and ACT scores. Another factor: in years past (before the pandemic), students who applied early were more likely to gain acceptance—though the rate of early acceptance is decreasing at elite institutions due to the sheer volume of applicants. For instance, Harvard accepted about 7% of its early applicants in the fall of 2020, as opposed to nearly 14% of its early applicants in 2019. With travel plans curbed and high school seniors choosing to connect virtually with universities, students will continue applying in high numbers to highly selective colleges which they may not have considered pre-pandemic.
Trend 4: The return of international students to campus
With the advent of the Biden administration, we will see more international students back on campuses. Recent legislation that limited international student visas to four years (and in the case of some countries, two years) was in opposition to the long-standing practice of allowing students to stay in the US as long as they are in school and progressing in their studies. These policies resulted in a drastic decrease in the number of international student visas issued, from more than 600,000 in 2015 to 364,204 in 2019.
In a pre-election poll conducted by the Graduate Management Association Council, international candidates indicated that they would be more likely to matriculate in the U.S. if Biden became president. Under the new administration, federal agencies will likely work hard to facilitate international students’ higher education. It is likely we will see a significant increase in international scholars, even if some Covid-19 restrictions remain in place across college campuses.
Trend 5: More students taking a gap year before college
The Covid-19 pandemic caused many students to consider a non-traditional start to college. The number of students who chose to take a gap year rose significantly in the fall of 2020. The class of 2021 may choose a similar path and defer their college admission in order to explore non-academic interests.
The activism and organizing efforts of Gen Z, born in the late ‘90s, are well documented and have been compared to the youth movements of the 1960’s and 70’s. Members of Gen Z—which include current high school seniors—report being highly concerned about the environment, racism, discrimination against the LGBTQ community, economic inequality, and many other issues. Given the unrest in 2020 in regards to racism and pandemic inequalities, there will be a strong pull for future college students to go out and make a difference in their communities. This will especially be true if Covid-era restrictions remain in place this fall.
VHES offers online mock SAT and ACT tests Saturdays at 9:00 am through Lessonspace, a teaching platform that enables our proctors to oversee virtual exams and gauge students' test readiness. Upon registering for mock tests, students will receive a test packet in the mail that includes the following:
ACT/SAT answer sheet
ACT/SAT test booklet
ACT/SAT essay prompt
Four pages of lined paper
Testing instructions
The ACT/SAT essay is optional. Students interested in taking the essay will continue with the test after the final multiple-choice section (ACT Science or SAT Math). Please sign up no later than Monday during the week of the mock test. The day before each test, students will receive an emailed link to join the virtually proctored test.
Upon completion of the test, parents and students receive a 9-page diagnostic report showing how the student is performing in each dimension of the SAT or ACT. This detailed report is used to establish a baseline score, is the basis for test-prep planning, and is instrumental in helping us customize a tutoring program that addresses the most pertinent test sections. For students taking both the ACT and SAT, we also provide a concordance chart with test recommendations. See what our baseline test reports look like: ACT and SAT. There is a $25 test registration fee.
Mock ACT test dates:
more dates TBA
Mock SAT test dates:
more dates TBA
Visit our Mock Testing page to learn more.
Learn more about our test prep program.
Find out how an academic coach can help.
Interested in pod tutoring? Contact us to learn more.
All test centers follow the same procedures and rules, which you should get familiar with before test day.
Important:
If you're unsure about taking the SAT Essay, you may be able to remove or add it on test day with your coordinator's permission—if test materials, rooms, and staff are available. If you‘re able to switch on test day, there may be fees (or even a refund). Learn about changing your registration information.
On test day, bring a face covering and wear it as directed by the test center. Remember to also practice social distancing at all times.
Be prepared to answer questions about your health prior to entering the test center. If you feel sick the day of your test, please stay home and contact customer service for your options. You won’t be charged a change or cancellation fee if you stay home due to illness.
Check your test center's website for any additional or specific entry requirements it may have. If you're traveling to test, it's your responsibility to know and follow any quarantine requirements or travel restrictions in the location where you're testing. Test centers may require proof that you've followed quarantine requirements and/or travel restrictions at check-in.
Get the latest SAT covid-19 updates and information during this time.
Monitor test center closings in the days leading up to your test and the day of your test to make sure your test center hasn't changed or closed.
We also recommend you check directly with the test center, including the test center's website, on the morning of the test.
All test centers open at 7:45 a.m. and doors close at 8 a.m., unless otherwise noted on your admission ticket. You cannot be admitted once testing has started. If you're late or absent on test day, you can reschedule. We recommend rescheduling as opposed to reregistering—it will cost less. Find out more about changing your registration information. We are currently waiving all change fees.
Make sure you show up with everything you need.
Your seat is assigned, not chosen by you. Wait to be seated. Here’s what will happen next:
The test coordinator will read all instructions verbatim from a manual and can answer questions only about procedure, not about test questions or content.
The test coordinator will tell you when to start and stop working on each section.
You must work within each section of the test only for the time allotted.
You may not go back to a section once that section has ended.
You may not go ahead to a new section if you finish a section early.
Do not skip sections. Doing so may result in score cancellation, delays, or both.
After the test is finished, the test coordinator will collect and count the test books to make sure all materials have been turned in before dismissing you from the testing room.
Don’t be surprised if your test experience isn’t exactly like that of the student sitting next to you. The sections in your test book might be different.
For most students, there is one 10-minute and one five-minute break during the test, the only times you can eat and drink.
Keep your ID and admission ticket with you at all times. They’ll be checked every time you enter the testing room.
Test books, answer sheets, and calculators must remain on your desk during breaks.
You can't use this time to power up devices, like cell phones—if you do, your scores will be canceled.
If you take the SAT with Essay, you’ll likely be done testing around 1 p.m. If you’re not taking the essay, you’ll likely be done around noon.
We mention cell phones and electronics often, and for good reason. Your scores will be canceled if you don’t follow the rules around devices.
Things to keep in mind:
Test administration staff reserves the right to collect and hold cell phones and other prohibited electronic devices during the test administration, including during break periods.
If your device makes noise, or if you are seen using it, or if you attempt to access it at any time, including breaks, you will be dismissed immediately, your scores can be canceled, and the device may be confiscated.
The College Board is not responsible for loss or damage to personal items, including electronic devices, while you are in the test center.
Test Prep Deals
Buy Any Test-Prep Package, Get 3 Hours Free
Jan 2, 11:39 AM – Apr 30, 11:39 AM
Prep with us for a spring ACT or SAT and receive 3 one-to-one test prep hours for free when you purchase a 12-hour package ($345 value). Please contact us to learn more by clicking the link below.
Contact us to schedule a 20-minute test prep phone consultation. We can also help decide on which test to take, ACT or SAT. After we provide our recommendation, we’ll hand-pick the best tutor for your student. Sessions can be held in-person or virtually through Lessonspace.
We are here to support! As we handle the academics, this gives you time to ensure they are ready for “the world”.
VHES offers online mock SAT and ACT tests Saturdays at 9:00 am through Lessonspace, a teaching platform that enables our proctors to oversee virtual exams and gauge students' test readiness. Upon registering for mock tests, students will receive a test packet in the mail that includes the following:
ACT/SAT answer sheet
ACT/SAT test booklet
ACT/SAT essay prompt
Four pages of lined paper
Testing instructions
The ACT/SAT essay is optional. Students interested in taking the essay will continue with the test after the final multiple-choice section (ACT Science or SAT Math). Please sign up no later than Monday during the week of the mock test. The day before each test, students will receive an emailed link to join the virtually proctored test.
Upon completion of the test, parents and students receive a 9-page diagnostic report showing how the student is performing in each dimension of the SAT or ACT. This detailed report is used to establish a baseline score, is the basis for test-prep planning, and is instrumental in helping us customize a tutoring program that addresses the most pertinent test sections. For students taking both the ACT and SAT, we also provide a concordance chart with test recommendations. See what our baseline test reports look like: ACT and SAT. There is a $25 test registration fee.
Mock ACT test dates:
Mock SAT test dates:
Visit our Mock Testing page to learn more.
Learn more about our test prep program.
Find out how an academic coach can help.
Interested in pod tutoring? Contact us to learn more.
Spring Special for Tutoring Packages
Receive 3 Free One-To-One Test Prep Hours
Prep with us for a spring ACT or SAT and receive 3 prep hours for free, when you purchase a 12-hour package ($345 value).
Contact us to schedule a 20-minute test prep phone consultation. We can also help decide on which test to take, ACT or SAT. After we provide our recommendation, we’ll hand-pick the best tutor for your student. Sessions can be held in-person or virtually through Lessonspace.
Before COVID-19, most colleges and universities had elaborate admissions guidelines that were designed to present holistic pictures of their applicants. Some of the criteria they used to form these snapshots included a student's GPA, test scores, their school's academic rigor, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, volunteer and work experience, as well as their essay.
But, the pandemic has changed all of that. For instance, some high schools are no longer calculating grades and some extracurricular activities are canceled. Plus over the summer, students were unable to get internships, participate in summer programs, prep for or take standardized tests, volunteer, and sometimes even work. Consequently, a number of students feel like their applications are not as strong as they could be.
In fact, according to a survey by Art & Science Group in collaboration with the College Board, nearly 45% of rising seniors said that COVID-19 has impacted their qualifications or the strength of their applications.1
For instance, 30% of white and Asian students, said they were unable to participate in extracurricular activities, while nearly 25% of Black and Hispanic students were unable to participate in summer educational programs.
Additionally, 21% of Black students and 13% of white students said their grades had been "compromised" by the pandemic. Meanwhile, 23% of students from the lowest-income group in the survey said they hadn't been able to work to save money for college.
What's more, widespread cancellations this past spring and summer have prevented many students from prepping for or taking the ACT and SAT exams. In fact, at the time of the survey, two-thirds of the respondents had not yet taken the SAT and nearly three-quarters had not yet taken the ACT.
And, as many as 51% of underrepresented minority students, 51% of low income students, and 51% of first generation college students were less likely than others to have taken the exams. For this reason, the class of 2021 is likely to submit vastly different college applications than those who graduated in 2019 and 2020.
Colleges and universities have had to adapt to meet this ever-changing landscape of student applicants. Some have made their application requirements test-optional, created virtual campus tours, and are actively engaged in leveling the playing field as much as they can to accommodate the challenges students are experiencing—especially because some areas of the country have been hit harder by the coronavirus than others.
Here is a closer look at what your student can expect when applying to college this fall and winter.
Some colleges are waiting to see how the pandemic impacts high schools this year before making a final decision about whether or not to implement a test-optional policy.
That said, there are a significant number of colleges and universities that have made the decision to become test-optional already. According to the National Center for Open and Fair Testing (FairTest), more than 1,600 accredited colleges and universities have made tests optional for 2021 admissions.2
Consequently, before you shell out money for your child to take the ACT or the SAT, visit the the FairTest website to determine if the schools your child is applying to are test-optional this year. Also, keep in mind just because a school is test-optional, this does not mean they are test-blind.
In other words, if your child does well on standardized tests, be sure that they include their test scores with their application. Doing so will strengthen their application and make them a stronger candidate.
If, however, your student struggles with standardized testing or has test anxiety, then you may want to consider skipping the tests and highlight their other qualifications.
If your student is considering not submitting standardized test scores, they need to make sure the rest of their application is pretty solid. While not submitting scores is a nice option for students who don't do well with standardized tests, it also means that the rest of their application will be more heavily weighted.
So, if you and your student think their application would be improved by including standardized test scores—and your student is able to take a test before the application deadline—then by all means, take the test and submit the scores.
When it comes to taking standardized tests, some students will find it easier to schedule and take tests than others. Both the ACT and the SAT have scheduled exam dates, but are leaving it up to each test site to determine whether or not they are going to offer the test. Both organizations are suggesting that students monitor their testing locations to be sure the tests are still being offered as planned.
If you are planning to take the SAT or an SAT subject test, you can visit the College Board's website to determine if your testing location has cancelled a test. The site also indicates whether or not a make-up test will be offered.
As for the ACT, they do not have a list of cancellations. But you can research your test center to be sure the test is being offered before scheduling your test.
Both organizations also encourage students who plan to take the tests to register as soon as possible for the exams they want to take. With limited test dates and locations—plus a backlog of students who were unable to take their exams in the spring or summer—the availability is limited. They also both encourage students to wear face masks when taking their exams.
In the past, students showed interest in a college or university by visiting the campus. But, with many campuses closed to students this fall, admissions officials have started offering virtual campus tours for prospective students. Many are also reaching students through virtual question and answer sessions, personalized emails, and social media.
Here are some ways your child can make the most of this situation:
Ask them to develop a list of the schools they're interested in.
Encourage your child to reach out to their admissions counselor at their top schools and begin developing a relationship—even if it is only through email and virtual calls.
Reach out to a professor or two within their desired major to introduce themselves and ask about the courses offered.
Follow their top picks on social media to gather information and show interest in the school—especially if your student likes or re-shares the information they post. (Just be sure your teen cleans up their social media account before following their top colleges.)
While COVID-19 has completely changed the college admissions process this year, there are some unintended positives to all these changes. First, the pandemic has leveled the playing field when it comes to making college visits and doing lots of extras to enhance the college application that low income students cannot always afford. No one is doing these things so it's forcing students to get creative in order to make their application stand out.
Second, because many campuses are closed, it's much easier for students to get in touch with admissions professionals because they aren't traveling much. As a result, be sure your student reaches out to them and builds a relationship. Plus, they are likely to be very empathetic to the things students are experiencing because their lives have been upended by COVID-19 as well.
Register for a mock ACT by clicking on a specific test date below.
Mock ACT test dates:
Register for a mock SAT by clicking on a specific test date below. :
Mock SAT test dates:
We also offer one-to-one mock testing at our offices. This consists of a full-length practice test for your child. Tests include: ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, and SAT Subject Tests. We provide the test booklet, essay booklet, answer sheet, testing timer, calculator, and pencils.
We can send parents a practice test as well, to administer to their student in-home. We will send out a free practice test packet along with proctoring instructions. Parents must send the answer sheet back to us via email or mail.
As the spring SAT administration dates approach, we want to lessen the uncertainty that has resulted from the coronavirus. One way we can do this is by making sure you know what to expect leading up to test day.
Our top priorities are the health and safety of students and educators. Local schools and test centers make individual decisions about whether to administer the SAT. All weekend test centers must adhere to local public health guidelines and follow College Board requirements. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
You’ll need to bring a mask or protective face covering and will be required to wear it when you enter the test center and throughout the duration of testing. We recommend you bring a spare. You won't be allowed into the testing center unless you are wearing one. (Take a full-length practice test while wearing a mask before test day to prepare yourself for the test day experience.)
You’ll be required by test centers to be seated at least 6 feet away from other students.
Check your test center’s website for any additional health and safety measures so you’ll be prepared to follow them.
If you feel sick the day of your test, stay home. Contact customer service on the next business day for your options. You won’t be charged a change or cancellation fee if you stay home because you’re sick.
If we receive a report of a positive covid-19 case from someone at your test center, we will notify students and staff present on test day as well as local health authorities. Your information may be shared for contact tracing purposes if necessary.
To comply with local and College Board health and safety regulations, be ready to agree to the following when entering the test center or testing room:
You don’t have covid-19 or reason to believe you have covid-19. Symptoms include cough, fever, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, and recent loss of taste or smell.
In the past 14 days, you haven’t come into close contact—within 6 feet—of someone who tested positive for or is presumed to have covid-19.
To your knowledge, you aren’t violating any travel restrictions or quarantining requirements.
You promise to wear a mask the entire time you’re at this test site and follow instructions from testing staff.
By entering the testing center and testing room, you accept the risk of covid-19 exposure. Although we’ve taken measures to create a safe environment, it’s impossible to remove all risk.
You should also check your test center's website for any additional or specific entry requirements it may have.
If you're traveling to test, it's your responsibility to know and follow any quarantine requirements or travel restrictions in the location where you're testing. Test centers may require proof that you've followed quarantine requirements and/or travel restrictions at check-in.
Students who violate requirements put in place by their test center or College Board will be dismissed from the test center, their scores will be cancelled, and they will not receive a refund.
Many locations will have reduced capacity because of social distancing guidelines. Unfortunately, we expect many test centers to encounter full or partial closures. We’re checking with test centers and asking them to report closures or reduced capacity as early as possible to ensure students are informed and to reduce uncertainty ahead of test day.
We’ll communicate changes about your test center’s status as quickly as possible. Students who are being moved to a different test center and students whose registrations are being canceled because a test center decides to close or reduce capacity will be directly notified by College Board. Be aware that there may be a delay between the test center closing and the email notification. In the days leading up to each test, we’ll give updates about test center closures as often as possible. We also suggest you check directly with the test center, and visit the test center’s website, the day before and morning of the test.
While your status in My SAT will be updated as frequently as possible, there may be delay with last-minute closings. Test centers may have closed or rescheduled to a makeup date at the last minute, even if there is still an active admission ticket. Please check this page, your email, and the test center's website the night before and the morning of the test, especially if you're planning to travel to your test center.
We may need to get in touch with you if your test center makes the decision to close or reduce capacity between now and test day. Check your emails every day, and if you are in the U.S. opt in to receive texts. Here's how you can make sure we're able to contact you.
Visit our website to register for a future test date. If you can’t find a seat at a nearby test center for your preferred date, be sure to check out other test dates.
See upcoming SAT dates here.
We know the virus has heightened the stress of applying to college for many. Colleges and universities understand that due to covid there are limited opportunities for students to take the SAT. Most aren't requiring test scores for the upcoming admissions cycle, and they’re rightfully extending deadlines and/or accepting scores after deadlines pass for students who choose to submit them. You can check college websites to get the most accurate information on their policies and deadlines.
Receive 3 Free One-To-One Test Prep Hours
Prep with us for a spring ACT or SAT and receive 3 prep hours for free, when you purchase a 12-hour package ($345 value).
Contact us to schedule a 20-minute test prep phone consultation. We can also help decide on which test to take, ACT or SAT. After we provide our recommendation, we’ll hand-pick the best tutor for your student. Sessions can be held in-person or virtually through Lessonspace.
Vint Hill Educational Services offers mock tests for the ACT and SAT. These are taken in a group setting to simulate the testing environment. For the ACT and SAT, we will review the scores to see which test the student is scoring higher on. Since all colleges and universities accept both tests, it's beneficial to know if your child is scoring higher on the ACT or SAT. Check out our ACT versus SAT comparison chart for test differences. Sometimes the difference is like night and day, and for others, it may be a hairline higher on one versus the other. The student won't know which test is better, unless the individual takes one of each. We'll use our score concordance chart in order to make a test recommendation.
Register for a mock ACT by clicking on a specific test date below.
Mock ACT test dates:
Register for a mock SAT by clicking on a specific test date below. :
Mock SAT test dates:
We also offer one-to-one mock testing at our offices. This consists of a full-length practice test for your child. Tests include: ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, and SAT Subject Tests. We provide the test booklet, essay booklet, answer sheet, testing timer, calculator, and pencils.
We can send parents a practice test as well, to administer to their student in-home. We will send out a free practice test packet along with proctoring instructions. Parents must send the answer sheet back to us via email or mail.
The SAT remains an important aspect for most college admissions processes, and schools use it as one factor to determine a student’s college readiness. It can even help students qualify for merit scholarships. There are a lot of reasons why you should do your best on this test, so we’ve compiled some of our expert advice to help you improve your score on the math portion, which goes from easiest to hardest.
Focus on a single question – Take it easy and relax. Don’t worry about the next 20 questions. You may feel the need to rush and that’s normal. If you’re patient, you will work faster and produce better results.
Utilize a two-pass approach – Answer all questions that you can on your first pass through. Each question is worth the same point. Don’t let one question suck up your time. Circle the question and move on to the next. Tip: The first set of grid-in questions is easier than the last handful of multiple-choice questions. If you’re having trouble, go ahead and skip to the grid-in questions. On your second pass, go back to the first question you circled. Use everything in your math toolbox and answer the ones first that you’re most comfortable with. Within the last 30 seconds, answer the remaining multiple-choice questions that are blank (bubble in any answer) and write down an answer for the grid-in questions. There is no point deduction for incorrect answers!
Use the process of elimination – Look to eliminate answer choices and you’ll have a better chance in getting the question correct. Consider values in the problem and use logic to your advantage.
Draw in your test book – Test booklets include extra white space. Use the space around the problem and to the sides. Write down steps, draw a chart, label the sides of shapes, and strike out incorrect answers. You can even rewrite important numbers or phrases. This helps reduce careless mistakes and justifies answers.
Don’t erase computations in your test book – This is a big waste of time. You can cross out calculations that you no longer want to consider. This is faster than trying to erase with your pencil, especially if you’ve written out a long formula.
Information that is irrelevant – On occasion, you’ll find that a certain SAT math question contains information that is not required. This piece of information doesn’t have anything to do with solving the problem. This can make students second guess themselves. If you’ve solved the problem without using the piece of information in question; chances are that you’ve solved the problem correctly. Put a star or X next to information that may not be required.
Re-check your work, but do it efficiently – Perform a quick spot check after each section. It’s better to do this at the end of each problem then at the end of the entire section. The SAT contains “attractor answers” that lure students into picking a false answer. They seem correct to the student because the student doesn’t fully understand the problem. Tip: Use your calculator to verify the answer. Plug in the answer to see if it fits into the equation. Make sure you answered the question correctly and not just a step towards finding the answer.
Turn algebraic expressions into solid numbers – Most of the SAT math problems can be solved by picking your numbers for certain variables. It’s good to know what types of questions can be solved this way. This approach works well with problems that have variables as their answer choices. When you pick your own numbers, you’ll be able to turn algebraic expressions into solid numbers. For example, a problem involving minutes or seconds, you might try utilizing the number 60.
Plug in answer choices – Plugging in numbers is a useful SAT math strategy. Try solving a problem in the reverse direction, by plugging in the provided answer choices. Doing so, will help tackle the more difficult questions. Plugging in is also beneficial on word problems.
Don’t forget about your calculator – Your calculator is only allowed on one of the two SAT math sections. About half of the questions on the calculator allowed section really require one. The calculator will find graphing points for you and take care of fractions. The best calculators approved by the College Board will let you compute trigonometric functions and setup graphing plots. Check the College Board website calculator policy section for more details.
Grid-in questions – There are 13 total grid-in questions. Grid-in questions progress from easy to difficult. Students should always answer the easier grid-ins before attempting the more difficult grid-ins. Make sure the ovals are filled in correctly. Grid-in answers will never be a negative number. Some grid-in questions have more than one correct answer. The student must enter in mixed numbers as improper fractions or decimals. Always start with the far left grid-in column!
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We are here to support! As we handle the academics, this gives you time to ensure they are ready for “the world”. See our website for more info on tutoring and test prep during the pandemic.
For families navigating the challenges of the coronavirus era, it can seem a bit like a play in three acts — only in this case, all the acts are happening at once. You are a parent, you are a teacher and you are a professional — all at the same time. Understandably, things don’t always go smoothly. The novelty of having school at home may be wearing a bit thin. So, how do we keep our kids academically engaged — and happy about it?
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