Imagine a campus located in the heart of Silicon Valley , vibrating with energy and academic curiosity; it's like a launchpad of innovation and leadership - that is Stanford University to you. Google, Netflix, and countless other startups that have taken over the world were birthed in the pioneering research labs of Stanford. Entrepreneurial culture, spirit of possibility, and career developments are some of the many advantages of Stanford, a university known for it’s Nobel L

Yale University, located in New Haven , Connecticut, is one of the most prestigious Ivy League institutions in the world. The Gothic architecture of the Yale campus is notable, along with the library and the research centers, a deep blend of past and future. Yale is leading in science breakthroughs, policy, and art contributions to society due to its heritage meets high-tech attitude. Unlike usual institutions, Yale supports students in experimenting before a full-time commit

Columbia University , located in the heart of New York City , is an Ivy League institution where ambition meets opportunity. From Morningside Heights , the historic campus that is popularly known around the world, to highly advanced and futuristic research centers, Columbia University has much to offer its students. Not just a chance to learn but to evolve as an individual, in one of the most lively cities in the world. Whether it’s the Columbia Core Curriculum that builds w

Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts , is more than just one of the world’s #1 Ivy League institution. It is a place where history and innovation intersect . From the iconic Harvard Yard to state-of-the-art labs like the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering , the campus itself reflects centuries of excellence. The university’s resources are unmatched: Harvard Library System - the largest academic library in the world. Research labs and inn

Princeton University isn’t just in New Jersey. It’s the heartbeat of the little town Princeton that shares its name. Walk across campus and you’ll notice the blend right away. History stands tall alongside innovation that never stops evolving. One minute you will be passing Nassau Hall , the next you’re flipping through books in Firestone Library , or maybe heading into a lab where students are already chasing tomorrow’s breakthroughs. Firestone is one of the biggest univers

If you’re preparing for the SAT, chances are you’ve seen the quadratic formula a dozen times. It looks simple enough, just plug in the values of a, b, and c, and solve. But here’s the catch: one tiny mistake with this formula can cost you up to 50 points . At IvyStrides , we’ve worked with hundreds of students who know the quadratic formula by heart, but still miss crucial SAT points because of how they use it . And we’re not talking about rare, complex errors. We’re talking

At IvyStrides , we spend a lot of time with students who ask thoughtful questions. One that comes up often is “Which calculators can I actually use on the SAT now that it’s digital?” It’s a fair question. The format has changed. The rules? Not everyone is sure. And if you bring the wrong calculator, you won’t just lose time, you might lose your edge. The question isn’t about carrying a fancy device. It’s about showing up with the right tools, the kind that work for the Digita

Standard deviation is a way of measuring how spread out the data points are around the mean (average). If data points are close together, the standard deviation is low . If they’re scattered far apart, the standard deviation is high . On the SAT test , you almost never have to calculate exact values . Instead, the test wants to see if you understand the concept of spread and whether you can estimate correctly. Why Is Standard Deviation Important on the SAT? Standard deviat

What if the way you take your SAT practice tests is silently shaping your final score, and not in the way you think? That’s the story of the Bluebook SAT . At IvyStrides , we’ve seen students walk in confident after crushing their Bluebook practice tests, only to be stunned on test day. Others score modestly on the app, then outperform expectations when it matters most. The tool is powerful, yes, but if you don’t understand how it works, it can mislead more than it guides. In

Most checklists for the SAT look the same: pencils, a calculator, and your admission ticket. Helpful? Sure.  Complete? Not even close. We’ve worked with students who had every item on that list but still walked into test day unprepared, not because they forgot their IDs, but because they never had a system for studying, tracking progress, or managing stress. That’s the part most checklists miss. At IvyStrides, we believe a SAT checklist should cover the whole journey: how yo

Let’s be honest, preparing for the SAT can feel like carrying an invisible weight, one that gets heavier as test day approaches. For many students, it’s not the content that’s most intimidating. It’s the pressure, the silence of the exam hall, the ticking clock, the knowledge that this score might shape college options, all of it can stir up real, physical anxiety. And when that anxiety takes over, even the most well-prepared student can struggle to think clearly. At IvyStrid

The difference between the SAT and PSAT is clear and simple. PSAT is a practice version of the SAT. The SAT, on the other hand, is the real deal.  PSAT is designed primarily for students in grades 9 -11 to build testing familiarity. In grade 11, PSAT score helps you qualify for the National Merit Scholarship in the U.S. PSAT is shorter, slightly easier, and scored on a different scale. SAT score is used by colleges and universities around the world for admissions decisions

At IvyStrides, our mission is clear — helping high school students prepare for the SAT, build standout college essays, and ultimately,...

High school can feel like a juggling act — SAT prep, AP classes, sports, extracurriculars, essays, and social life. For students aiming...

The SAT shapes college opportunities and can open doors to your dream university. Yet, for many students, the weeks before it feel like running a marathon in quicksand. Sleepless nights, racing thoughts, and the constant question “Am I doing enough?” sap energy before test day arrives. Stress itself doesn’t have to derail your preparation. When you control it, stress sharpens focus, boosts problem-solving, and keeps your mind alert. At IvyStrides, we guide students across th

Of all the things students prepare for before the SAT, the test dates, timing strategies, and practice drills, the humble pencil rarely makes the list. Yet every year, countless test-takers walk into their exam room only to be told: “That pencil isn’t allowed.” For 2026s' candidates, the situation is more nuanced. While the SAT in 202 6 is shifting toward a digital-first format, paper-based administrations are still common in certain regions, school-day settings, and for stu

In the high-stakes world of SAT® prep, every point counts. And in 2026, there’s a straightforward rule that could mean the difference between just missing your target score and landing in your dream college’s acceptance pool: there’s no penalty for wrong answers on the Digital SAT. This single scoring change has flipped decades of test-taking advice on its head. Once upon a time, skipping a question you weren’t sure about was considered “safe.” Now? Strategic guessing can be

Two tests. Similar names. Both can shape your academic future. Yet ask in school hallways or parent WhatsApp groups, and you’ll hear it all from “The PSAT is easier than the SAT” to “They’re the same.” Neither is true in full as the PSAT and SAT share a family resemblance, but each has its purpose, difficulty profile, and impact. Knowing those differences could save you months of second-guessing and inefficient prep. The PSAT is often a student’s first step into serious col

If you're a high school student or a parent helping one plan for college, chances are you've heard of both the SAT and the LSAT . While these two standardized tests serve very different purposes, many students still wonder: Is the LSAT harder than the SAT? And if so, does that mean the SAT is easier or just different? This question isn’t just about difficulty. It’s about choosing the proper test at the right time based on your skills, academic stage, and long-term goals. Wh

If you’re a high school student (or a parent helping one), you’ve probably asked yourself this: “Should I take the SAT or the ACT, and which one is harder?” It’s one of the most common questions we hear, along with Is SAT relevant in modern admissions ?, and it makes sense. ACT and SAT might look similar on the surface, but they feel very different once you start preparing. Some students say the ACT feels rushed, while others find the SAT a bit more analytical. Now, with t