ACT & SAT

The Importance of Knowing the ACT / SAT Test Format

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

When studying for a test, you probably focus on the material, right? The actual content you’ll be tested on. If it’s a US History test, you’ll study dates, memorize key people, and read about important events. But the ACT and SAT aren’t “normal” tests. You won’t just study the tested material in preparation, but also …

questions & answers

Can I Switch My Student Loan Repayment Plan?

By Allison WignallLast updated on March 12, 2025

Things change. What you started with might not be ideal for the situation you’re in now. This is true for life and for student loans. When you take out a student loan, you’ll agree to a certain type of repayment plan. However, as time goes on you might find that a particular plan doesn’t work …

affordability & college cost

Average Cost of College in US for 2017-2018

By Allison WignallLast updated on March 5, 2025

Sometimes it helps to look at the data, and when it comes to college cost, there’s plenty of data. College costs are rising steadily year over year, so let’s take a look at the average cost of college in the US from 2017 to 2018. Average Cost for Bachelor Degrees According to College Board, NCES, …

college admissions

May 1st is Coming: How to Notify the College You’ll Attend

By Allison WignallLast updated on February 26, 2025

May 1st is the National Candidate Reply Date or College Decision Day, which are both fancy ways of saying that you need to tell a college you plan to attend their school by the first of May. Ideally, you should send in your acceptance notice far before College Decision Day, just to ensure everything goes …

ACT & SAT

What is the ACT Test Information Release?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

If you plan on retaking the ACT again, one of the best ways to learn from your first experience is by reviewing your own scores. The ACT has a wonderful service that allows you to do just that: the Test Information Release. What the Test Information Release Tells You The TIR will give you a …

ACT & SAT

When Should Students NOT Retake the ACT/SAT Test?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

Most students who retake the ACT/SAT get a higher score the second time around. It’s highly recommended to take an exam more than once—higher scores lead to increased acceptance odds and more scholarships, after all. But are there times when you shouldn’t retake? You’ve Already Taken it at Least Twice The answer to the question …

scholarships

Scholarships for Book Lovers

By Allison WignallLast updated on February 26, 2025

If you’re a lover of literature, then we’ve got good news for you. There are plenty of scholarship opportunities available that are inspired by authors, books, and the written word. From classics to Shakespeare, there are scholarships for every book lover.  Check out a few scholarships for book lovers below! Signet Classics Student Scholarship Essay …

ACT & SAT

ACT Pro Tip: Write Down the Math Formulas at the Beginning of the Section

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 7, 2023

Here’s the thing about the ACT math section: they don’t give you the formulas you’ll need. Instead, you have to memorize them. This can make many students nervous (yours truly included) as there’s so much going on during the ACT that recalling complicated math formulas can be overwhelming. Well here’s one of our ACT math …

ACT & SAT

How to Get Through a Difficult SAT/ ACT Question

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

Every single student has experienced this at some point or another. You look down at a question in dread, your mind draws a blank, and you start to sweat knowing you’re wasting precious time. If you don’t know the answer to a question, your thoughts and momentum derail. Here’s how to keep on track during …