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 2026 candidates, the situation is more nuanced than ever. The SAT has been fully digital since March 2024 for most U.S. test-takers, meaning your answers are submitted on-screen. However, paper-based administrati

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. The PSAT and SAT share a family resemblance, but each has its own 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 c

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

Preparing for top colleges can be overwhelming — balancing SAT prep, essays, extracurriculars, and schoolwork. That’s why at IvyStrides,...

At IvyStrides, we’re not just focused on test scores — we help students tell powerful stories, overcome challenges, and showcase the kind...

Getting into your dream college doesn’t just take hard work — it takes smart work. That’s where SMART Goals come in. At IvyStrides, we...

How MoSCoW framework can supercharge your College Prep Getting into a top college isn’t just about working hard — it’s about working...

Did you take the SAT a few years ago and now need to retrieve your SAT scores for college, grad school, or job applications? Whether you took the SAT in 2025 or as far back as 2005, your scores may be archived by the College Board. While SAT scores older than 2005 are generally no longer retrievable, those from more recent years can still be obtained after paying an archival retrieval fee. At IvyStrides, we understand how frustrating it can be to locate your past SAT scores,

Quick Summary: SAT Cancellation Key Facts for 2026 Key Detail What You Need to Know Cancellation Deadline Thursday, 11:59 p.m. ET before your test day Cancellation Fee (before change deadline) $29 Cancellation Fee (after change deadline, by Thursday) $39 After Thursday 11:59 p.m. ET No refund available Refund Timeline 6–8 weeks after test date Phone Support (866) 756-7346 Where to Cancel College Board My SAT account Bottom line: If you cancel before Thursday at 11:59 p.m. ET

Quick Answer: How to Send SAT Scores Here's the short version: 1. Log in to your College Board account at collegeboard.org . 2. Go to the "Send Scores" section. 3. Search for colleges by name or 4-digit institution code . 4. Select the SAT test date(s) you want to send (use Score Choice if available). 5. Pay the fee ( $14 per report , or free if you selected colleges during registration). 6. Submit - colleges receive scores in 1–2 weeks (standard) or 2–4 business days (

The SAT Test day is already nerve-wracking. You’re dealing with performance pressure, timing anxiety, and a million “what ifs.” The last thing you want is to be sidelined by something as basic as a missing item. That’s why knowing exactly what to bring to the SAT exam and what not to get is just as critical as learning how to solve a linear equation or spot the main idea in a reading passage. At IvyStrides , we go way beyond the SAT syllabus. We don’t just prep for SAT exam

When preparing for the SAT, many students rely on traditional study habits: reading chapters, completing practice tests, and last-minute...

Wondering how many times you can take the SAT? The truth is there’s no limit- but retaking without a strategy won’t improve your score. This guide breaks down SAT retake rules for 2026, ideal number of attempts, superscoring, and how to plan smarter between tests. Learn when to retake, how to avoid score plateaus, and the exact strategy top scorers use to boost results on their next attempt.

SAT Prep - the Highest ROI Move for College Admissions College admissions are famously holistic. Top universities look at grades, course...

The term "good PSAT score" can mean different things depending on your grade and goals. A score that's impressive for a 10th grader might fall short for an 11th grader aiming for National Merit recognition. It gets even more confusing when comparing across different versions of the test, like PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and PSAT/NMSQT, since each has its own scoring scale and purpose. IvyStrides helps students decode what their PSAT score really means. In our programs, we prepare stud

If you’ve been practicing regularly but your SAT Reading score just won’t budge, you’re not alone. Many students hit a plateau, where no matter how many practice tests they take, their score stays stuck between 580–650. This isn’t because you’re unknowingly repeating the same study mistakes. This guide by IvyStrides is here to walk you through why your SAT reading score isn’t improving and precisely what to do about it. No fluff. Just a focused strategy that works for real s