Strategy, tips, and exam guides for the SAT, ACT, and AP® exams — from a Barron's author with 20+ years of experience.
By Brian Stewart, Barron’s SAT, ACT & PSAT Author & Perfect SAT/ACT ScorerUpdated October 2026 · Based on College Board’s published scoring data and released exam questions College Board publishes more scoring detail for the AP® African American Studies exam…
By Brian Stewart, Barron’s SAT, ACT & PSAT Author & Perfect SAT/ACT Scorer The ACT Science section is now optional, and at most colleges you can skip it. But a handful of schools still require it in specific contexts, and…
By Brian Stewart, Barron’s SAT, ACT & PSAT Author & Perfect SAT/ACT ScorerUpdated August 26, 2026 for the 2027 AP® Calculus AB exam Preparing for the 2027 AP® Calculus AB exam requires more than memorizing derivative rules and integration formulas.…
A unit-by-unit AP Precalculus study guide covering all three tested units, the four free-response task types, and the three mathematical practices — with links to all 30 free practice drills organized by topic.
Updated October 21, 2026. Test details checked against ACT’s official guidance. Before you decide how many hours to study for the ACT, take a practice test and find out where those hours would help. Missing six algebra questions because you…
After 20+ years of SAT tutoring, I've watched students waste months preparing the wrong topics. This guide breaks down the 10 most frequently tested SAT Math topics, explains what each one actually requires, and links to free practice drills — plus a score-range prioritization framework so you know exactly where to start.
The PSAT and SAT test the same skills, use the same digital adaptive format, and are the same length — but they serve very different purposes. In this guide, a 20-year SAT/PSAT tutor and Barron's author breaks down the key differences, explains how the National Merit Scholarship Program works, and tells you exactly when PSAT prep is worth your time.
Most students who struggle on AP® Biology don't have a content problem — they have a study method problem. This post gives you a unit-by-unit study plan built around the six science practices the exam actually rewards, with free practice drills for every unit.
By Brian Stewart, Barron’s SAT, ACT & PSAT Author & Perfect SAT/ACT ScorerUpdated August 27, 2026 for the 2027 AP® World History: Modern Exam Most students who struggle on AP® World History: Modern aren’t struggling because they didn’t read the…
By Brian Stewart, Barron’s SAT, ACT & PSAT Author & Perfect SAT/ACT ScorerUpdated August 27, 2026 for the 2027 AP® English Language and Composition Exam Students who struggle with AP English Language usually don't struggle because they can't write. They…