SAT Prep

Student Increases SAT Score by 290 points

Student Increases SAT Score by 290 points

A local student in Virginia increased his SAT score by 290 points using Vint Hill's one-to-one SAT prep program.

Achieving a Good Score on the SAT

Achieving a Good Score on the SAT

The SAT, or Scholastic Aptitude Test, is a standardized test administered by the College Board. U.S. colleges widely use it as one piece of their admissions processes, along with GPA, course rigor, letters of recommendation, essays, special talents like athletics and music, and other factors. 

Achieving a good score on the SAT can make you a competitive applicant for top universities, increase your chance of acceptance, and improve your scholarship chances. So, even though some schools are test-optional, taking the SAT can still help your application stand out.  

Top 7 Tips for SAT and ACT Testing: Your Ultimate Schedule

Top 7 Tips for SAT and ACT Testing: Your Ultimate Schedule

By following these seven tips and creating a strategic schedule for SAT and ACT testing, you can approach the exams with confidence and maximize your chances of success. Remember to stay focused, stay motivated, and trust in your preparation efforts. You've got this!

High School Students Think They Are Ready for College. But They Aren’t

High School Students Think They Are Ready for College. But They Aren’t

At last count, 62 percent of 2022 high school graduates enrolled in either a two- or four-year college immediately after graduation. But students’ college readiness has reached historic lows, according to several metrics—including the lowest scores in 30 years on the ACT and declining scores on the SAT, the two primary standardized tests used for college admissions. And yet, more than 4 in 5 high school seniors report feeling “very” or “mostly” academically prepared for college, according to a 2023 ACT nationwide survey.

They’re not, say experts.

Exploring the New Digital SAT: A Comprehensive Guide

Exploring the New Digital SAT: A Comprehensive Guide

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.

Choosing Between the Digital SAT and ACT: What You Need to Know

Choosing Between the Digital SAT and ACT: What You Need to Know

Starting in March 2023, the SAT is set to transform into a shorter, snazzier digital test. This development is causing quite the buzz, especially for high school juniors (Grade 11). Typically, strong math whizzes have thrived on the SAT, while those leaning towards reading and verbal skills have found their stride with the ACT. However, with the digital shift, SAT takers now need to excel across the board.There's also the option of ditching the SAT altogether and channeling their efforts into the ACT.

PSAT vs. SAT: How Are They Different?

PSAT vs. SAT: How Are They Different?

The SAT and PSAT are pretty similar tests, but we'll outline four key differences you should know before you take these exams. The SAT is typically a test for which Juniors and Seniors in high school spend more time studying, whereas the PSAT can serve as a practice and a litmus for the SAT.


Sleep and Health

Sleep and Health

Adequate sleep contributes to a student’s overall health and well-being. Students should get the proper amount of sleep at night to help stay focused, improve concentration, and improve academic performance.

Children and adolescents who do not get enough sleep have a higher risk for many health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, poor mental health, and injuries. They are also more likely to have attention and behavior problems, which can contribute to poor academic performance in school.

Junior Year Testing Timeline

Junior Year Testing Timeline

Here's a breakdown of a traditional timeline for junior year, focusing on the PSAT, SAT, and/or ACT, with suggestions for tutoring and goal planning:

September:

- Start by familiarizing yourself with the test formats and content of the PSAT, SAT, and ACT.

- Consider taking a diagnostic test to assess…

Top 11 Tips for Back to High School

Top 11 Tips for Back to High School

Heading back to high school? Whether you’re a high school junior or a senior these tips will help you quickly get into gear for fall semester in terms of your classes, the college admissions process, test prep and, of course, your scholarship search. Yes – there’s a lot to remember – but these tips will help you keep everything on track all semester long by starting out organized, with a plan and with right goals in mind.

SATs are Just Around the Corner 

SATs are Just Around the Corner 

At Vint Hill Education, we take immense pride in being leaders in private in-home and online SAT and ACT tutoring, with a track record that speaks for itself. We recognize that every child is unique, with their own set of academic strengths and weaknesses. It is because of these differences that we firmly believe a one-size-fits-all approach, such as a commercial classroom course, may not fully meet your child's specific needs.

What is the Submitter Advantage?

What is the Submitter Advantage?

Colleges universally adopted test optional admissions policies during the pandemic, in part because a handful of national SAT and ACT test dates and a flood of local test center administrations were cancelled. Test optional admissions also served to lower anxiety during a time when both applicants and the schools themselves were panicked about COVID-college. The general public became enamored with rhetoric about how removing objective data somehow produced fairer outcomes. However, feelings among applicants and their parents about test optional admissions have become more mixed as people have had time to consider its implications.

What To Do Summer Before Junior Year of High School

What To Do Summer Before Junior Year of High School

Don’t know what to do summer before junior year of high school? Here are 10 awesome ideas to give you a head start!

Digital SAT Brings Student-Friendly Changes to Test Experience

Digital SAT Brings Student-Friendly Changes to Test Experience

In early 2022, The College Board announced plans to shift the SAT to a computer-based format. The pencil-and-paper version will be retired and students will eventually only be able to take the test digitally (unless they need accommodations that require a physical version of the test). Moreover, the new SAT will be adaptive — the content of the test will adjust according to each student’s performance within the first module.

The SAT® Test Goes Digital: What to Expect in 2023-2024

The SAT® Test Goes Digital: What to Expect in 2023-2024

College Board announced in early 2022 that it will offer the PSAT/NMSQT® and SAT® tests digitally starting in 2023 and 2024. Over the last 30 years Vint Hill Educational Services has seen numerous adjustments, reconstructions, and make-overs by College Board. With each change we have adapted and found new and improved ways to prepare our students.

SAT Going Digital in 2023

SAT Going Digital in 2023

Back in September of 2018, ACT made the change to computer-based tests for all students outside the US. It’s only time that the SAT will follow suit.

College Board has recently announced that the SAT (and also PSAT) will also become a computer-based test starting in 2023. The SAT will become digital first, beginning with the March 2023 test. PSAT will go computer based starting Fall of 2023.

The major advantage of taking the test online will be a quicker turnaround time for score calculation. Students will be able to receive their test scores in a few days instead of weeks. College Board also suggests that these tests will be unique for each student (but did not elaborate whether it will the order of questions that are different, or two students may receive different questions), thus eliminating the possibility of a “leak test”, which can affect all students taking the same exam.

The scores will still be out of 1600. However, the digital test will be shorter: two hours instead of three for the current paper test. Students will also be given more time per question.

The format will also be slightly changed. For the reading section, students will be given shorter passages with one question per passage. There will also be a wider selection of topics for these passages. For the math sections, there will only be one instead of two, and the students will be able to use a calculator for the entire section.

All tests before the March 2023 exam will still be paper-based. We will let you know when we find out more about the detailed changes.


Mock SAT Testing and Tutoring with

Vint Hill Educational Services

CONTACT US FOR A FREE PRACTICE TEST PACKET AND DIAGNOSTIC REPORT (VIEW SAMPLE STUDENT REPORTS: ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE, AND HSPT).

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.

2022-2023 MOCK ACT/SAT TEST DATES  

WE WILL BE PROCTORING TESTS VIRTUALLY ON SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 9:00 AM. UPON REGISTERING FOR A VIRTUAL MOCK TEST, YOU WILL RECEIVE A TEST PACKET IN THE MAIL THAT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING.

  • ACT/SAT ANSWER SHEET

  • ACT/SAT TEST BOOKLET

  • TEST INSTRUCTIONS

PLEASE SIGN UP NO LATER THAN MONDAY DURING THE WEEK OF THE MOCK TEST. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS DURING REGISTRATION, SO THAT WE CAN MAIL YOU A TESTING PACKET.

ACT/SAT TESTS WILL BE PROCTORED VIRTUALLY THROUGH LESSONSPACE. THE DAY BEFORE EACH TEST, STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE AN EMAILED LINK TO JOIN THE VIRTUALLY PROCTORED TEST. THE TEST INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE USED SHOULD THE STUDENT LOSE CONNECTION TO THE TESTING LOBBY. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE A WORKING BUILT-IN MIC (OR A HEADSET) AND AUDIO ON YOUR LAPTOP/DESKTOP.

ACT

Register for a mock ACT by clicking on a specific test date below

Mock ACT test dates:

SAT

Register for a mock SAT by clicking on a specific test date below.  :

Mock SAT test dates:

We also offer one-to-one private mock testing at our offices or virtually through Lessonspace. This consists of a full-length practice test for your child. Tests include: ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEEHSPT, 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. 

Education is a Gift

Education is a Gift

Teachers, tutors, trainers, and coaches have been giving the best possible gifts all year. Education is a gift that none can take away. It increases in value over time and compounds exponentially when shared. Plus, you don't have to worry about where to store it.

Getting Ready for College—It’s Easier Than You Think

Getting Ready for College—It’s Easier Than You Think

It’s never too early—or too late—to explore your options for college or career school. We’ll walk through some key steps in preparing for college and provide resources that can help you along the way. You’ll have to take the time to research and understand your options, but you don’t have to do it alone. We’re here to help students make informed decisions and find out what they need to do!

Your SAT Score Report Explained

Your SAT Score Report Explained

The top portion of your score report contains a big black number. This is your SAT Score, also referred to as your total score. Next to your score are the numbers 400–1600, indicating that the range of possible scores on the SAT is 400–1600. To the right of your total score is your score percentile, telling you what percentage of students who took the test did better or worse than you. In small type below your score is your Score Range…