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

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 2023 or as far back as 2010, 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,

Canceling your SAT means withdrawing your SAT registration for an upcoming SAT date. It is different from rescheduling (changing your test date) and from simply not showing up (a no-show). Each choice has its own implications for cost, refunds, and future planning. But how do you cancel your SAT registration? Currently, all cancellations still go through the College Board website, even for digital SATs. The Bluebook app does not allow direct cancellation. Just log in to your

Most students choose to send their SAT scores after they are released , which allows them to review their results and select which test dates to send. SAT scores are usually sent digitally and take about 1 - 2 weeks to get a response from the colleges. You can also choose between standard delivery (included in the base fee) and rush reporting , which delivers scores in 2 - 4 business days for an additional cost. Keep in mind that scores are not sent on weekends or holidays,

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...

Let’s cut through the rumors, Reddit threads, and lunchroom myths. The truth is: yes, you can take the SAT as many times as you want. No cap. College Board doesn’t put a hard limit on your SAT attempts, and that’s a huge win if you’re aiming for a superscore glow-up. But (and this is important) just because you can doesn’t mean you should keep hitting “ register ” without a game plan. SAT Retake Policy: Straight from College Board There’s no maximum number of times you’re all

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 help students decode what their PSAT score really means. In our SAT Fall batch we prepar

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

If you’re planning to take the digital SAT test , you’re focused on scores, prep strategies, and deadlines. But there’s another piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked,  what does the SAT Exam cost ? And with the SAT cost, we don’t just mean the registration fee. We also meant paying extra for changing your test center. Sending SAT scores to colleges costing us $15 each time. If you're applying to multiple Ivy League schools or taking the SAT more than once, you could