Top 5 Things We Learned in 2024
12/29/2024
In the unlikely event that you have both amnesia and a keen interest in the test prep world...
... then here's what you missed in 2024!
1. The Digital Debutante
TL;DR: the SAT is now shorter and taken on a computer.
What we've noticed: it's now harder for most kids to do well on the SAT than on the ACT, and most of our clients are now opting for ACT tutoring.
2. The ACT is going Science-optional next year
TL;DR: Starting next year, you can take the ACT with or without the Science section.
What we're predicting: Just like anything "optional", a Science score will be an advantage for admission at competitive colleges.
3. Grade inflation is getting out of control
TL;DR: More than 85% of college freshman at 4-year colleges had an A, A+, or A- average in high school.
What we're predicting: More colleges will require test scores to make sure kids can do the work.
4. More colleges are requiring test scores.
TL;DR: Here's a list; highlights include MIT, Caltech, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Dartmouth, Brown, and UT Austin. Since that article was published, many more schools have announced test-required policies.
What we're noticing: colleges copy each other. Once one college goes back to requiring SAT and ACT scores, its competitors tend to follow. BTW, we also offer GRE prep (Vince's specialty), and we're seeing this trend in graduate school admissions as well.
5. It's still hard to find a place to take the SAT or ACT in California.
TL;DR: Despite my hard-hitting citizen journalism, the vast majority of San Diego high schools aren't hosting SAT and ACT tests and making excuses for why they "can't", which is really just pathetic, especially given #4 above.
What we're hoping: Parents will gang up on high school administrators to persuade them to get off their asses and host tests. Pressure can work when done in an organized way!
The Bottom Line
We're glad to see the pendulum continuing to swing back toward the common sense use of test scores in college and graduate admissions, and are happy as always to provide guidance on how to make sure your scores reflect your spark.