Strategy, tips, and exam guides for the SAT, ACT, and APĀ® exams ā from a Barron's author with 20+ years of experience.
The PSAT and SAT test the same skills, use the same digital adaptive format, and are the same length ā 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 APĀ® Biology don't have a content problem ā 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 Scorer Most students who struggle on AP® World History: Modern aren’t struggling because they didn’t read the textbook. They studied the wrong way, memorizing dynasties, dates, and geographicā¦
Students who struggle with AP English Language usually don't struggle because they can't write. They struggle because they write the wrong things: summary where they need argument, piles of evidence with no connective tissue, impressive-sounding sentences where the rubric isā¦
By Brian Stewart, Barron's SAT, ACT & PSAT Author & Perfect SAT/ACT Scorer Most students who struggle on the AP® U.S. History exam don't struggle because they didn't work hard. They studied the wrong things, in the wrong order, withoutā¦
By Brian Stewart, Barron’s Author & ACT Perfect Scorer Jump to Drills↓ 📖ACT Grammar Rules↓ After 20+ years of ACT tutoring, I’ve seen students approach the English section in a lot of different ways. The ones who do best goā¦
The SAT Grammar Rules That Show Up Most Often (And How to Stop Missing Them) By Brian Stewart · March 2026 The SAT's Reading & Writing section tests grammar in a specific way. There's no reciting rules or labeling partsā¦
The 100 SAT Vocabulary Words You're Most Likely to See By Brian Stewart · March 2026 Take a practice SAT lately and you've probably noticed that vocabulary still plays a real role in the Reading & Writing section, even thoughā¦
Most SAT study guides start in the wrong place. This guide ā built on how experienced tutors actually prepare students ā walks you through every step: how to diagnose your weaknesses, prioritize your time, use practice tests strategically, and build the critical thinking skills the SAT actually tests.
The digital SAT feels different from the paper test ā shorter, no long passages, a calculator throughout. But is it actually easier? Here's what the College Board's own research, national score data, and the evolution of official practice tests actually tell us.