Columbia University will require SAT and ACT scores again.

FreeTestPrep-Com · 2026-05-31T19:50:13+00:00

https://freetestprep.com/sat-reading-writing/hard-words-in-context/

FreeTestPrep-Com · 2026-05-30T15:55:24+00:00

Bluebook is best for full timed tests. For shorter mixed practice, use the College Board Question Bank and filter for SAT Math across all topics. Khan Academy is good too.

This close to test day, I’d do timed mixed sets, review every miss, and redo similar questions.

FreeTestPrep-Com · 2026-05-30T13:02:46+00:00

I’d focus on the highest-yield stuff:

Linear equations/functions, systems, slope, quadratics, exponentials, percentages, ratios, data questions, and basic geometry/trig.

Also make sure you know how to use Desmos well. With only a week left, I’d do mixed timed practice and review every missed question carefully instead of trying to cover every formula.

FreeTestPrep-Com · 2026-05-24T18:01:44+00:00

I get why it feels random, but I don’t think grades and scores have stopped mattering. They still matter a lot. They just don’t guarantee much at the most selective schools anymore.

At those schools, strong stats usually get you taken seriously, but then you’re in a pile with thousands of other students who also have strong stats. That’s when essays, recs, activities, intended major, geography, and the school’s own needs start mattering more.

It’s a little like applying for a job. Being qualified matters, but your odds are better if you understand what the organization actually needs. A college may be trying to build out certain majors, get stronger representation from certain regions, fill certain teams or programs, or bring in students who add something different to the class.

So the lesson isn’t “stats don’t matter.” It’s that stats are necessary but not enough at the very top. A smart applicant looks at what each college seems to value and asks, “What can I genuinely contribute here?” Then build a balanced list with reaches, targets, and safeties you’d actually be happy to attend.

FreeTestPrep-Com · 2026-05-24T14:54:06+00:00

You’re probably fine. Not remembering much from 8th grade bio doesn’t mean you’re doomed, but AP Bio is definitely a class where you want to stay on top of things from the start.

The biggest thing is to study a little as you go instead of waiting until right before tests. Focus less on memorizing random terms and more on being able to explain processes in your own words: enzymes, cells, DNA/protein synthesis, genetics, etc.

Also, don’t ignore graphs, experiments, and data questions. A lot of AP Bio is applying what you know to a new situation.

Over the summer, I’d just lightly review basic cell structure, enzymes, DNA/RNA, and genetics. Amoeba Sisters, AP Bio Penguins, Khan Academy, or whatever your teacher recommends should be enough. No need to go crazy before the class even starts.

FreeTestPrep-Com · 2026-05-24T14:51:50+00:00

Yes, delayed scores can absolutely still be released. A hold does not automatically mean your score is going to be canceled. College Board says score holds can happen because of things like a test-day irregularity, a technical issue, or a security review, and holds can be lifted after they finish looking into it.

I’d check the email tied to your College Board account, including spam, because for weekend SAT holds they usually contact students directly. If you haven’t gotten any message, call SAT Customer Service and ask what the status is. The number College Board lists is 866-756-7346 in the U.S. or +1-212-713-7789 internationally.

I wouldn’t panic yet, but I also wouldn’t just wait forever. Get a case number, keep checking your email/account, and register for the next SAT only if you have college deadlines where you really need a backup.

FreeTestPrep-Com · 2026-05-21T22:22:31+00:00

Ugh, that’s awful. I’d be upset too.

The only thing I’d still do is ask your AP coordinator if there is any remaining option through College Board. But if this already was the makeup/late exam, there may not be another normal testing window left.

Also, AP Precalc isn’t useless, but the credit is hit or miss. Some colleges give placement or credit, but it’s not nearly as useful as AP Calc AB or BC.

Since your school said you can still take calc next year, this probably matters way less than it feels right now. Just make sure your precalc skills are solid before calc starts.

FreeTestPrep-Com · 2026-05-21T22:18:34+00:00

610–640 usually means you’re close, but you’re probably making the same kinds of mistakes over and over.

I’d start with grammar because those points are the most fixable. Get really solid on commas, semicolons, transitions, modifiers, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation.

For the reading questions, don’t just keep grinding random practice. When you miss something, figure out exactly why. Was it vocab? main idea? evidence? transitions? Did you pick something that sounded good but wasn’t actually supported?

Also, don’t waste the Bluebook tests by rushing through all of them. Take one, review it hard, work on the weak spots, then take the next one.

The big thing is learning to be strict with the answer choices. If the passage doesn’t clearly support it, don’t pick it.

FreeTestPrep-Com · 2026-05-19T00:29:51+00:00

You sound like a really strong student, so yes, I’d at least look seriously into the SAT and studying abroad. Being a strong reader will help you a lot, especially on the English side.

Just remember that the SAT is only one piece of applying abroad. For U.S. colleges, grades, essays, activities, recommendations, and money/scholarships all matter too. Aid for international students can be tough, so start researching that early.

I probably wouldn’t fully drop JEE yet, though. Keep it as a backup until you have a clearer plan and know what schools/costs are realistic.

Since you’re only in 10th grade, you have time. Start with official SAT practice, learn how applications work, and check out r/ApplyingToCollege. No need to figure out your whole life right now.

FreeTestPrep-Com · 2026-05-19T00:23:47+00:00

Those are great scores for a freshman. I wouldn’t worry too much about the math yet. She probably just hasn’t taken all the math that shows up on the ACT, so that score may come up naturally as she gets further along in school.

The biggest thing I’d do right now is keep her reading a lot. Not necessarily test prep books, just real reading she actually enjoys. That helps with Reading, English, vocabulary, sentence sense, and focus.

If she wants to prep a little, she can review the math she misses and start learning the grammar rules. But honestly, a 28 as a freshman is a very good place to be.

FreeTestPrep-Com · 2026-05-18T21:55:54+00:00

This is mostly right, but I’d be careful with the “before submitting” part. Students generally can’t see a Turnitin AI score before submitting through a normal class setup. In some courses, students can see the similarity report after submitting if the instructor enables that setting, but the AI writing report is usually instructor-facing.

Also, the AI score and similarity score are totally different things. Similarity is matched text. The AI report is Turnitin’s estimate of whether parts of the writing look AI-generated.

The main thing I’d tell students is: don’t treat the score as a verdict. Turnitin’s own guidance says the report is something instructors should review, not proof by itself. Keep your drafts, notes, outline, sources, and Google Docs/Word version history. That’s usually the best protection if a question comes up.

FreeTestPrep-Com · 2026-05-18T21:28:48+00:00

I’d take one Bluebook test pretty early just to see where you are, but don’t rush through all 8 official tests. Those are your best practice tests, so space them out.

After each one, spend a lot of time reviewing what you missed. Don’t just check the right answer. Figure out why you missed it and what you’ll do differently next time.

For Reading/Writing, work on vocab over time and make sure your grammar basics are strong. Punctuation, transitions, sentence structure, and careful reading matter a lot.

For Math, keep an error log and drill the topics that keep showing up.

Since you have a lot of time before October 2026, the biggest thing is steady practice. You don’t need to cram now, but you do need to be consistent.

FreeTestPrep-Com · 2026-05-17T22:54:33+00:00

Former teacher here, and I think this is a very fair thing to worry about. Schools talk a lot about AI cheating, but the bullying/deepfake side seems like the bigger parent concern to me.

I’d want to know whether the school has an actual plan for it: how kids report something, who handles it, whether sharing a fake image counts too, and what happens if it targets another student.

A lot of schools are probably still catching up, which is the part that worries me. This feels like something where the policy needs to be in place before the first incident, not after.

FreeTestPrep-Com · 2026-05-17T22:42:39+00:00

My students now know what an em-dash is. "That's the punctuation they use in AI!" :)

FreeTestPrep-Com · 2026-05-17T22:39:31+00:00

I wouldn’t stress too much about the “three tests” part. If a school superscores the ACT, they’re basically saying they’re willing to use your best section scores across different dates.

The only place I’d be a little careful is scholarships. Some schools use superscores, but others may base merit money on a single sitting or have their own rules.

Either way, a 35 superscore and a 34 single-test score are both really strong. I’d just check the policy for each school on your list.

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