ACT & SAT

SAT and ACT tutoring: How to find the right support for a higher score

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 4, 2026

Key takeaways SAT and ACT tutoring may help reduce test anxiety by helping students feel more prepared for exam day. An expert tutor can help identify gaps in foundational knowledge. A personalized learning plan focuses on a student’s unique needs and strengths. Tutors teach effective test-taking strategies, such as time management and problem-solving, to help …

college applications

What High School Freshman Can Do for College Prep

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Think college is still four years away so you can worry about it later? There are actually plenty of ways to start prepping for college immediately as a high school freshman that can benefit you in the years to come. 1. Work on Good Study Habits How good are your study habits currently? Good grades …

college applications

Questions to Ask Yourself To Determine Your College App Essay Topic

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

Selecting an essay topic is incredibly important for your college app, but it’s also tough. Which story do you go with? What angle to you aim for? Which subject is better than another? Which one of the college application essay topics should you even choose? There are a lot of questions to answer, but maybe …

questions & answers

How Often Should You Visit Your High School Counselor?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

High school guidance counselors are an amazing resource when it comes to college prep. They can assist with class scheduling, college search, give you info on college fairs, and more. So how often should you check in with your high school guidance counselor? Once a semester for scheduling Even if you’re super sure you’ve selected …

ACT & SAT

ACT / SAT Pro Tip: Study Prefixes, Suffixes, and Root Words

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Although you’re studying hard for both the ACT and SAT (or just one) and have a list of vocabulary words to review before the test date, it’s near impossible to know all the words that could be included on the test. So what do you do if you run into completely unfamiliar words? You take …

ACT & SAT

The 6 Different Types of Reading Questions on the ACT/SAT

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Knowing what the different types of Reading questions asked on the ACT and SAT really helps while you study. The Reading questions on the ACT / SAT break into 6 broad categories: Big picture questions Answering these questions requires you to read through the whole passage and get the gist of the subject matter and …

college admissions

Pros and Cons of Getting a Tutor

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

There are several benefits of getting a tutor for your child. However, along with the benefits, there are a few downsides. Understanding the pros and cons will shield you from any unpleasant surprises. PRO: Students Receive Customized Learning Sessions It’s an accepted fact that people have different learning styles. However, in a classroom environment, it …

ACT & SAT

Deciding Which Schools To Send Your Free ACT / SAT Reports To

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

All SAT and ACT test-takers can get their scores sent to a maximum of 4 colleges for free. If you are applying to more than 4 colleges, the costs won’t be waived and you will have to bear the price of sending your ACT/SAT reports to those additional colleges. How do you decide which colleges …

college admissions

How To Prep For AP And IB Exams in High School

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

While good grades are not the only criteria used to assess your application, they do play a major role in the overall admission process. One fantastic way to boost your app is by taking academically rigorous classes—like AP or IB courses. But with academic rigor comes challenge, and AP / IB exams are harder than …

ACT & SAT

What You Should Do Now That You Have Your ACT/SAT Score

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

After weeks of waiting, that long-awaited day has finally come, you’ve got your ACT/SAT results and you know how you have fared. Now it’s time to make crucial decisions. To Retake, or Not to Retake? That is the Question… The first decision you will have to make is whether you need to retake the test. …