01
2024
The ACT Is Getting Shorter
As of September 2025, the ACT will drop to about 2 hours with an optional Science section.
Continue Reading Jul19
2024
I opine about the lack of SAT / ACT test sites in San Diego
In this op-ed, I rail against the almost complete lack of SAT / ACT testing sites in California and San Diego.
Continue Reading Jan04
2024
Digital SAT Decisions: 5 Factors to Consider
A few things to consider if you're thinking about taking the new Digital SAT.
Continue Reading Jul18
2023
Affirmative Action Aftereffects
How the ban on affirmative action in college admissions affects test-optional policies... and your kid's SAT / ACT prep.
Continue Reading Jan19
2022
Uncensored! What Tutors Wish Parents Knew
Learn the things that we tutors wish you parents knew before you called us for SAT / ACT tutoring.
Continue Reading Aug17
2021
The Latest SAT and ACT News
Recent SAT and ACT news and upcoming test dates
Continue Reading Aug17
2021
The 3 Best SAT / ACT Prep Self-Study Resources
These are our 3 favorite SAT and ACT prep books and apps.
Continue Reading Dec23
2020
10 Week SAT Study Plan (updated for 2024)
If you're preparing for the SAT by yourself, here's a sample 10-week study plan that will help improve your score. We only use official College Board resources or those written by veteran SAT tutors.
Continue Reading Mar20
2020
And the winner is...
The winner of our $500 college scholarship for a San Diego high school senior has been announced!
Continue Reading Feb26
2020
Test-"Optional" Colleges
Some side effects of SAT / ACT / GRE optional policies that colleges won't tell you about.
Continue Reading Jan21
2020
SAT Test Anxiety: 5 Tips in 5 Minutes
Vince discusses SAT test anxiety and 5 ways to reduce it.
Continue Reading Jan14
2020
3 SAT / ACT Questions in 3 Minutes
I answer 3 very common SAT / ACT prep questions.
Continue Reading Oct18
2019
Big ACT Changes. Real Big.
The ACT introduces single section retakes, superscoring, and online testing.
Continue Reading Jun27
2019
5 Bad Ideas For Your Kid's SAT or ACT Prep
Here are 5 things I think you should avoid doing.
Continue Reading May16
2019
SAT Adversity Scores
My thoughts on the College Board's new adversity score.
Continue Reading Apr25
2019
How Am I Supposed To Eat This?
How to decide whether to prep for the SAT or ACT.
Continue Reading Mar15
2019
Scandal! The Good Guys' Reaction
Some thoughts about the recent college admissions scandal.
Continue Reading Feb26
2019
Student Spotlight: Tony at Notre Dame
5 questions for Tony, who is a freshman at The University of Notre Dame. (Tony worked with Vince for ACT prep.)
Continue Reading Feb21
2019
Student Spotlight: Samantha at Carleton College
One of Vince's former ACT students answers 5 questions about her first year (so far) at Carleton.
Continue Reading Dec22
2018
How your test score can help you win merit aid
The basics of how PSAT, SAT, and ACT scores can help you win merit aid scholarships to college.
Continue Reading Dec11
2018
Ho, Ho, Ho: Vince's Top 11 for 2018
11 things I picked to share with you, gentle reader.
Continue Reading Nov06
2018
My Interview With The Critical Reader
A brief interview that I did for The Critical Reader (which provides the best verbal prep material).
Continue Reading Oct26
2018
The Need To Read
Why reading comprehension is the foundation of test prep.
Continue Reading Sep19
2018
Mythbusters: Test Prep Edition
Debunking some common tutoring and test prep myths.
Continue Reading Sep07
2018
The “Doctor” Will See You Now
Suspense. Intrigue. A mysterious rash. This newsletter has them all.
Continue Reading Jun27
2018
Bridget: From Bishop's To Berkeley
Our tutor Bridget talks about her transition from a small private school to a large public university.
Continue Reading May22
2018
The Student Athlete's Guide to the NCAA and College Prep
Our tutor Bridget talks about her experience with college athletics.
Continue Reading May10
2018
It's Not All Puppies And Rainbows
A few of the mistakes we've made over the years that taught us lessons.
Continue Reading Mar21
2018
Tunnel Vision
How to avoid rushing and its side effects on the SAT and ACT.
Continue Reading Mar09
2018
A Guide To Getting SAT / ACT Accommodations
Here's how qualified students can get accommodations like extra time for the SAT and ACT.
Continue Reading Feb23
2018
Pros and Cons of SAT / ACT Bootcamps
SAT and ACT bootcamp classes are often convenient, but do they work?
Continue Reading Feb01
2018
SAT and ACT Score Choice and Superscoring
How to figure out the whole "score choice" and "superscoring" thing.
Continue Reading Jan24
2018
Should You Take The SAT Or The ACT?
What are the differences between the SAT and the ACT?
Continue Reading Jan18
2018
How To Not Waste Your Money On SAT Prep
Why adding student accountability to the process of test prep is so important.
Continue Reading Dec07
2017
Hard Choices, Easy Life
Beware easy answers to tough questions.
Continue Reading Oct19
2017
Boo! Test Prep Can Seem Spooky!
Test prep requires foundation. Don't let anyone scare you into starting it too soon.
Continue Reading Sep15
2017
Soft Spot For Soft Skills
Why do young people lack soft skills?
Continue Reading Aug31
2017
How See Through Are You?
I got married! Plus, thoughts on transparency in our business.
Continue Reading Jul21
2017
I Talk Too Much
Finding a balance between talking and observing during tutoring.
Continue Reading May19
2017
Is There Chocolate Ganache In Your Fridge?
High schoolers may need help dealing with distractions to prepare well for the SAT and ACT.
Continue Reading Apr29
2017
3 Bad Good Questions To Ask A Tutor
Why some common questions for tutors don't tell you much.
Continue Reading Apr03
2017
Do I have to drink the butter coffee?
You don't have to do everything I tell you to do right away... just do it all eventually.
Continue Reading Mar08
2017
Freshmen and Sophomores! Build Your SAT/ACT Foundation Now.
Hey freshmen and sophomores! Here a few things you can do now to make SAT and ACT prep easier when you're a junior.
Continue Reading Jan30
2017
Does Your Hairdresser Do Your Taxes?
I rank the most popular test-prep methods from worst to best.
Continue Reading Jan24
2017
Tom Brady and Pattern Recognition
How students can use pattern recognition to perform better on the ACT and SAT.
Continue Reading Aug05
2016
The Biggest SAT Scandal Yet
The SAT deals with another problem of its own making.
Continue Reading Jul28
2016
The ACT attempts to weather its own cheating scandal
The ACT's clumsy response to widespread cheating.
Continue Reading Jun02
2016
The Forgetting Zone: When To Review Math
How to maximize learning with the "forgetting" zone.
Continue Reading Apr27
2016
SAT vs. ACT: The Final Word
SAT vs. ACT: The Final Word
Continue Reading Apr23
2016
The Scope of SAT Cheating in Asia
The Scope of SAT Cheating in Asia
Continue Reading Mar12
2015
10 SAT / ACT Questions? 10 SAT / ACT Answers!
10 SAT / ACT Questions? 10 SAT / ACT Answers!
Continue Reading Jan03
2015
The #1 thing I want you to understand: the proficiency hump
The #1 thing I want you to understand: the proficiency hump
Continue Reading Jan06
2014
Estimating is your friend on the SAT and ACT
Estimating is your friend on the SAT and ACT
Continue Reading Dec25
2013
Guest blog: SAT/ACT Math Strategies by Dr. Steve Warner
Guest blog: SAT/ACT Math Strategies by Dr. Steve Warner
Continue Reading