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Young adult student playing the piano with a tutor watching

How Music Can Help with Academic Development

By Elementary School, High School, Middle School, Music, Study Skills No Comments

In 1998 the governor of Georgia, convinced it would boost the academic achievement of children in his state, attempted to fund a program giving every child in the state a Mozart tape, in order to take advantage of the so-called “Mozart effect” where listening to Mozart increases intelligence. Unfortunately, this effect has been fairly thoroughly…

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Dartmouth Reinstates the SAT/ACT Requirement

By ACT, College Admissions, High School, SAT, Test Prep No Comments

The NY Times recently published an article on how yet another college, Dartmouth, is eliminating a test-optional policy and reverting to requiring the SAT or ACT. During the pandemic Dartmouth, like most schools, dropped their test requirement. However, after some unintended consequences of the policy and an internal review, Dartmouth found compelling evidence that their…

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How Independent Schools are using the ERB in lieu of the ISEE

By Elementary School, High School, ISEE, Middle School, SSAT, Study Skills, Test Prep, Uncategorized No Comments

As we reflect on the last few years since COVID started, it becomes abundantly clear that the landscape for standardized testing and private school admissions has changed drastically. As always, the admissions process remains secretive and individualized, with a significant number of schools choosing to go test optional, meaning the ISEE or SSAT tests are…

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A male and female student studying together from a textbook

Different Ways to Stay Productive/Stay on Top of your Classes during Spring Break

By ACT, AP Exams, College Admissions, Elementary School, High School, Middle School, PSAT, SAT, Study Skills, Test Prep, Uncategorized No Comments

With spring break around the corner, many students may be wondering how best to use their time most productively. While students will of course want to relax and enjoy their well-earned rest, but spring break also provides ample time for students to catch up on missing work, prepare for tests or college admissions, or just…

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Two students writing on a worksheet in a courtyard

Unraveling the Controversy Surrounding Standardized Testing in College Admissions

By ACT, College Admissions, High School, SAT, Test Prep No Comments

The NY Times recently published an article about the growing pushback to the move away from the SAT among colleges. A combination of pandemic-induced logistical issues and research finding widespread income and race-based disparities in test scores has caused many schools to move away from standardized test scores as a major factor in admissions. However,…

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