Shows
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTHE ROLE OF TEST SCORES IN COLLEGE MERIT AIDWe all know that getting into and paying for college represent two very different challenges. But what if you could focus on factors that improve your odds of accomplishing both at the same time? For a surprising number of schools, you can! Amy and Mike invited educator Brian Eufinger to explain the role of test scores in college merit aid. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What's the difference between need-based aid and merit aid? Can people with incomes too high for need-based aid still qualify? What are merit a...2024-09-2424 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastSTATE OF TEST OPTIONAL ADMISSIONS IN 2024In the wake of the 2020 global pandemic, every U.S college and university announced test-optional or test-blind admissions, leading some pundits to predict that the influence of standardized test scores in admissions decisions was over. Based on recent announcements from a suite of public and private schools, nothing could be further from the truth. Amy and Mike invited educator Brian Eufinger to share the state of test-optional admissions in 2024. What are five things you will learn in this episode? As of early 2024, what is the state of test-optional admissions? What is the interplay...2024-02-2028 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast500. CELEBRATING OUR 500TH EPISODEThe success of the Tests and the Rest podcast can be credited to our focus on fascinating guests with specific expertise and insight into admissions, testing, education, and learning. To celebrate our 500th episode, we’re throwing all that away to focus on ourselves! Amy and Mike invited educator Brian Eufinger to guest host our first show devoted to listener questions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What were Mike and Amy’s favorite topics, most famous guests, and most popular episodes? How spontaneous are podcast conversations, and do we r...2023-06-3036 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastTESTING GAME PLAN FOR THE CLASS OF 2025Major transitions often result in major confusion for the unprepared. If you are–or support–a teen in the high school graduating class of 2025, the time to consider taking or skipping the new digital SAT is now! Amy and Mike invited educator Brian Eufinger to strategize a testing game plan for the class of 2025. What are five things you will learn in this episode? When will the digital PSAT and SAT be available in the United States? Should students worry about being among the first wave of digital test takers? How should high schoolers plan for the...2023-01-1025 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastShould I Take The ACT Writing Test?Nearly 20 years ago, colleges asked for standardized essay sections on admissions tests because applicants arrived on campus with deficient writing skills. Yet today, when very few schools want to see essay scores, do those test sections still have value? Amy and Mike invited educator Brian Eufinger to explore potential advantages and opportunities in the ACT Writing Test. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the framework of the ACT Writing Test? What is the current state and usage of the ACT essay? Why did the College Board eliminate their essay, but A...2021-12-1030 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastSelf-Prep For The SAT & ACTContrary to the allegations of critics, you cannot buy great test scores. In fact, a surprising number of students earn elite--and sometimes perfect--scores on their own. Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Brian Eufinger to analyze self-prep for the SAT & ACT. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Is it possible to self-prep and excel on the SAT and ACT? What kind of students self-prep effectively? What resources are available for students who want to prep on their own? What if a student is not capable of effective self-study? Is preparation really...2020-10-0225 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast2019-2020 Academic Year In ReviewThe 2019-20 academic year will live on in infamy as one of the craziest years to rock secondary and higher education. Is it a coincidence that we started the Tests and the Rest podcast right when it began? Amy and Mike invited our friend Brian Eufinger to host our 2019-20 academic year in review. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What topics were expected to be a big deal during the 2019-20 academic year? What were the real stories? What did everyone learn over the course of the year? What does the f...2020-06-2325 minTests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastThe Reality of Grade InflationEarning straight A’s once signified levels of academic excellence and diligence unattainable by most students. Do these grades still mean as much when 40% or more of the class carries the same perfect average? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Brian Eufinger to explore the reality of grade inflation. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does it mean when more than half of students at a school have A averages? How common are C-level grades at public and private schools? How can high school grade inflation harm a student’s college...2019-09-2427 min