What We Learned in 2024
December 29, 2024
Here's what you missed if you were in cryogenic suspension last year.
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The ACT Is Getting Shorter
August 01, 2024
As of September 2025, the ACT will drop to about 2 hours with an optional Science section.
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I opine about the lack of SAT / ACT test sites in San Diego
July 19, 2024
In this op-ed, I rail against the almost complete lack of SAT / ACT testing sites in California and San Diego.
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Digital SAT Decisions: 5 Factors to Consider
January 04, 2024
A few things to consider if you're thinking about taking the new Digital SAT.
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Affirmative Action Aftereffects
July 18, 2023
How the ban on affirmative action in college admissions affects test-optional policies... and your kid's SAT / ACT prep.
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Uncensored! What Tutors Wish Parents Knew
January 19, 2022
Learn the things that we tutors wish you parents knew before you called us for SAT / ACT tutoring.
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The Latest SAT and ACT News
August 17, 2021
Recent SAT and ACT news and upcoming test dates
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The 3 Best SAT / ACT Prep Self-Study Resources
August 17, 2021
These are our 3 favorite SAT and ACT prep books and apps.
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10 Week SAT Study Plan (updated for 2024)
December 23, 2020
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.
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And the winner is...
March 20, 2020
The winner of our $500 college scholarship for a San Diego high school senior has been announced!
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Test-"Optional" Colleges
February 26, 2020
Some side effects of SAT / ACT / GRE optional policies that colleges won't tell you about.
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SAT Test Anxiety: 5 Tips in 5 Minutes
January 21, 2020
Vince discusses SAT test anxiety and 5 ways to reduce it.
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3 SAT / ACT Questions in 3 Minutes
January 14, 2020
I answer 3 very common SAT / ACT prep questions.
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Big ACT Changes. Real Big.
October 18, 2019
The ACT introduces single section retakes, superscoring, and online testing.
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5 Bad Ideas For Your Kid's SAT or ACT Prep
June 27, 2019
Here are 5 things I think you should avoid doing.
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How Am I Supposed To Eat This?
April 25, 2019
How to decide whether to prep for the SAT or ACT.
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Scandal! The Good Guys' Reaction
March 15, 2019
Some thoughts about the recent college admissions scandal.
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Student Spotlight: Tony at Notre Dame
February 26, 2019
5 questions for Tony, who is a freshman at The University of Notre Dame. (Tony worked with Vince for ACT prep.)
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Student Spotlight: Samantha at Carleton College
February 21, 2019
One of Vince's former ACT students answers 5 questions about her first year (so far) at Carleton.
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How your test score can help you win merit aid
December 22, 2018
The basics of how PSAT, SAT, and ACT scores can help you win merit aid scholarships to college.
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Ho, Ho, Ho: Vince's Top 11 for 2018
December 11, 2018
11 things I picked to share with you, gentle reader.
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My Interview With The Critical Reader
November 06, 2018
A brief interview that I did for The Critical Reader (which provides the best verbal prep material).
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The Need To Read
October 26, 2018
Why reading comprehension is the foundation of test prep.
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Mythbusters: Test Prep Edition
September 19, 2018
Debunking some common tutoring and test prep myths.
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The “Doctor” Will See You Now
September 07, 2018
Suspense. Intrigue. A mysterious rash. This newsletter has them all.
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Bridget: From Bishop's To Berkeley
June 27, 2018
Our tutor Bridget talks about her transition from a small private school to a large public university.
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The Student Athlete's Guide to the NCAA and College Prep
May 22, 2018
Our tutor Bridget talks about her experience with college athletics.
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It's Not All Puppies And Rainbows
May 10, 2018
A few of the mistakes we've made over the years that taught us lessons.
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Tunnel Vision
March 21, 2018
How to avoid rushing and its side effects on the SAT and ACT.
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A Guide To Getting SAT / ACT Accommodations
March 09, 2018
Here's how qualified students can get accommodations like extra time for the SAT and ACT.
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Pros and Cons of SAT / ACT Bootcamps
February 23, 2018
SAT and ACT bootcamp classes are often convenient, but do they work?
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SAT and ACT Score Choice and Superscoring
February 01, 2018
How to figure out the whole "score choice" and "superscoring" thing.
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Should You Take The SAT Or The ACT?
January 24, 2018
What are the differences between the SAT and the ACT?
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How To Not Waste Your Money On SAT Prep
January 18, 2018
Why adding student accountability to the process of test prep is so important.
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Boo! Test Prep Can Seem Spooky!
October 19, 2017
Test prep requires foundation. Don't let anyone scare you into starting it too soon.
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How See Through Are You?
August 31, 2017
I got married! Plus, thoughts on transparency in our business.
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I Talk Too Much
July 21, 2017
Finding a balance between talking and observing during tutoring.
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Is There Chocolate Ganache In Your Fridge?
May 19, 2017
High schoolers may need help dealing with distractions to prepare well for the SAT and ACT.
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3 Bad Good Questions To Ask A Tutor
April 29, 2017
Why some common questions for tutors don't tell you much.
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Do I have to drink the butter coffee?
April 03, 2017
You don't have to do everything I tell you to do right away... just do it all eventually.
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Freshmen and Sophomores! Build Your SAT/ACT Foundation Now.
March 08, 2017
Hey freshmen and sophomores! Here a few things you can do now to make SAT and ACT prep easier when you're a junior.
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Does Your Hairdresser Do Your Taxes?
January 30, 2017
I rank the most popular test-prep methods from worst to best.
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Tom Brady and Pattern Recognition
January 24, 2017
How students can use pattern recognition to perform better on the ACT and SAT.
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The Biggest SAT Scandal Yet
August 05, 2016
The SAT deals with another problem of its own making.
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The ACT attempts to weather its own cheating scandal
July 28, 2016
The ACT's clumsy response to widespread cheating.
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The Forgetting Zone: When To Review Math
June 02, 2016
How to maximize learning with the "forgetting" zone.
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10 SAT / ACT Questions? 10 SAT / ACT Answers!
March 12, 2015
10 SAT / ACT Questions? 10 SAT / ACT Answers!
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The #1 thing I want you to understand: the proficiency hump
January 03, 2015
The #1 thing I want you to understand: the proficiency hump
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Estimating is your friend on the SAT and ACT
January 06, 2014
Estimating is your friend on the SAT and ACT
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