The SAT Reading and Writing section presents you with a challenge. Now that the digital SAT has been rolled out, this section contains over 50 passages you'll need to read and answer questions on! The passages will come from a wide variety of sources and test you on everything from critical reading to grammar. How can you attack these passages to get a high SAT Reading and Writing score? This guide will discuss the best strategies for reading the SAT passages for each question type you'll see ..read more

This just in: changes to ACT testing are coming! The CEO of the ACT announced in July 2024 that students can expect major ACT changes beginning in spring 2025.  So, what exactly will the biggest ACT test changes be? In this article, we’ll share everything we already know about the ACT exam changes, including: When the upcoming changes in ACT testing will go into effect  How the test will be shortened, including adjustments to reading passages  Which sections are becoming optional  How experimental questions are being added to the test Let’s dive in ..read more

You've likely heard that the SAT is digital now. This has created a lot of changes: students will take the exam on the computer, the digital SAT is shorter, and scores are returned much faster. There are also big changes to the SAT Reading and Writing section, and one of the biggest is how many passages in SAT Reading and Writing there now are. You may have heard there are now a lot more passages to read, but the good news is that most students will find them much more manageable! Read this guide to learn how many passages are in the SAT Reading and Writing section, how they're different from ..read more

In 2024, several elite colleges dropped their test-optional admissions policies and returned to requiring SAT/ACT scores as part of the admissions process.  This is a major change in college admissions–and one that may be adopted by other colleges and universities in the future. With more college admissions changes potentially on the horizon, how can you plan your college application process? How do you know which colleges are test optional and which colleges require SAT/ACT scores? Our expert admissions counselors are weighing in and giving you the tips and insider knowledge you need to ..read more

Does thinking about TOEFL idioms make your blood run cold, or do you think they’re a piece of cake? If this sentence has you scratching your head, we’re here to help! This guide will explain idioms, which are phrases that mean something different than what you might think at first. We’ll go over how idioms are tested on each section of the TOEFL, give you a list of the 37 idioms you should know for the exam, and end with the best methods for studying idioms. Let’s get this show on the road and start learning about idioms for TOEFL ..read more

Knowing how to pass TOEFL test day is critical for international students who want to an attend English-speaking school. But what does "passing the TOEFL" really mean? Is there a certain TOEFL passing score everyone must get? In truth, a TOEFL passing score is any score that's high enough to get you into the schools you wish to attend. Therefore, the score you need to pass the TOEFL will vary depending on where you're applying. In this guide, we explain why you can’t technically pass (or fail) the TOEFL. We also give you tips on how to find your TOEFL p ..read more

  In February 2024, Dartmouth and Yale — two Ivy League universities — announced that they were returning to their previous policies of requiring SAT or ACT test scores as part of their admissions processes.  For the past few years both schools have been “test optional,” meaning students could choose to send test scores, but they weren’t required for admission. This signals a major shift in the college admissions landscape as other U.S. universities weigh if they should follow suit.  So how does this change impact students applying to Yale and Dartmouth? And does this signal a ..read more

In order to understand the passages you'll see in the TOEFL Reading section and accurately answer questions about them, you’ll likely need to do some studying before test day. If you’re not sure how to study for TOEFL Reading, we’re here to help! In this guide, we explain the format and types of questions you’ll see on TOEFL Reading then explain the materials you need to do well on this section. We then go over all the best TOEFL Reading practice materials available, including free and official resources. We end with final tips to keep in mind during your studying in order to f ..read more

Writing is the last section you’ll complete on the TOEFL. You’re so close to finishing, yet you still have two essays to write before you can celebrate completing the exam. In order to finish the test on a high note, you’ll need to be prepared for this section. In this guide, we explain the ins and outs of the Writing section and the materials you need to do well. We then go over all the best TOEFL Writing practice resources available, including free and official practice Writing topics. We'll end with final tips to keep in mind in order to ace the TOEFL Writing section ..read more

The Speaking section of the TOEFL is often seen as one of the most challenging parts of the exam. You can’t just circle an answer and hope for the best, and any mistakes you make can’t be crossed out — they’ll all be part of your recorded response. This means that good practice is key to doing well on this section. In this guide, I’ll explain what preparation you need in order to do well on this tricky section, go over the best TOEFL Speaking practice materials out there, and give you tips on how to get the most out of your studying ..read more