Getting Stressed by AP Classes Already This year? A Few Tips to Help!

November 12, 2021, by Daniel Bloss

AP classes don’t have to be stressful! We’re only approaching the third month of school, but for many, it already feels like crunch time. For Honors and AP students especially, the first couple of tests can be a big wake-up call and a reminder of the difficulty level of AP classes and the expectations of… Read more »

A Primer on the HSPT and SSAT for Parents

October 26, 2021, by Sarah Newport

What are the HSPT and the SSAT? Are they Different? Many students applying to independent high schools are required to take standardized tests as part of the admissions process. In the Washington, DC area, many Catholic high schools require the High School Preparation Test (HSPT), while many secular schools require the SSAT or ISEE. (Note:… Read more »

Tips for Peak Performance on Test Day

October 26, 2021, by Nitin Sawhney

How to maximize your performance when taking the SAT or ACT! As you enter the final stretch of your SAT or ACT preparation, make sure to review what you should be doing the week before, the night before and the day of the final exam. Don’t let a forgotten admission ticket or a late photo… Read more »

Independent School Testing Requirements 2021-2022

October 26, 2021, by Liz Shooltz

Applying to an Independent School in Fall 2021? COVID-19 has ushered in many changes to testing requirements for admission to independent high schools in the Washington, DC area. Many schools have opted to go “test optional,” meaning that students may choose to submit standardized test scores but are not required to do so. Other schools,… Read more »

Why take the PSAT, and what are National Merit Scholarships?

October 19, 2021, by Sarah Newport

Relationship of the PSAT and National Merit Scholarship Explained. In mid-October, high school sophomores and juniors across the country will sit down to take the preliminary SAT (PSAT), a test that assesses students’ math, reading, and grammar capabilities. The PSAT offers students a preview of the SAT’s format and content and serves as a low-stakes… Read more »