Lee Bierer - Nationally Syndicated Columnist and Independent College Counselor.

Is ACT or SAT best for you? – Part II

Depending on type of student, one test may be better than other. Most colleges now accept the SAT or ACT tests. But the tests differ in content and style: the ACT is seen as content-based, the SAT more critical thinking and problem solving. Last week’s column focused on the basic differences     Continue Reading...

Lee Bierer - Nationally Syndicated Columnist and Independent College Counselor.

Everything you ever wanted to know about standardized tests, but were too afraid to ask – Part I

Just say the words “standardized tests” to a family with a high school junior and you can see everyone’s blood pressure jump. Parents are concerned because they are hearing conflicting messages regarding the importance of these tests. It used to be that most college admissions decisions were     Continue Reading...

Lee Bierer - Nationally Syndicated Columnist and Independent College Counselor.

New way to report SAT scores to colleges

In March, the College Board, purveyors of the SAT, introduced a new method of score reporting called Score Choice. According to the College Board, “Score Choice gives you the option to choose which scores (by test date for the SAT and by individual test for SAT Subject Tests) you send to     Continue Reading...

Lee Bierer - Nationally Syndicated Columnist and Independent College Counselor.

Now's time to grasp the ABCs of SAT and ACT

As high school seniors finish their applications and begin the waiting game, it’s time for juniors to take the first steps in the college admissions process. Last week I discussed two of the five areas where high school juniors and their families should be dedicating their time: college search     Continue Reading...

Lee Bierer - Nationally Syndicated Columnist and Independent College Counselor.

Should standardized tests be the standard?

 Much has been written about the diminished value colleges place on standardized tests such as the SAT and the ACT. There’s even an organization (www.fairtest.org) whose mission is to “end the misuses and flaws of standardized tests” and remove these tests from the college     Continue Reading...