PREPARING FOR COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS 10 online resources your student can tap into

BY JANICE LEWINE

Taking a college entrance exam is a rite of passage for many high school students. While quite a few colleges have adopted test-optional admissions policies, a strong SAT or ACT score still bears significant weight—and can even procure financial aid. While many students approach entrance exams with some degree of trepidation, online prep options can give students an edge. Here are 10 to check out.

College Board | collegeboard.org

This group administers the SAT and sends score reports to colleges. It also executes the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), a practice version of the SAT. The website provides free prep material, including practice questions and eight full-length SAT practice tests.

Kaplan | kaptest.com

Kaplan provides test prep, practice tests and private tutoring. Its programs include On Demand, Live Online, Live Online+ (featuring one-to-one tutoring), and Unlimited Prep for the SAT, ACT and PSAT/NMSQT. Fees range from $119–$1,999, and special offers are available on the website. A mobile app called Brightspace Pulse is also available for Kaplan students.

ACT | act.org

In partnership with Kaplan, ACT is a mission-driven nonprofit that offers the ACT Self-Paced Course for $119; ACT Live Online for $549 (with teachers who offer study tips and answer questions in real time); ACT Tutoring sessions for $749; a free practice test and study guide; and a free trial. ACT also offers a mobile app.

Khan Academy | khanacademy.org

In collaboration with the College Board, Khan Academy hosts free lessons, strategies and practice tests for the math, reading and writing portions of the SAT. It also has a free mobile app. After setting up an account, users will receive alerts reminding them when their next lesson or practice test is.

Kranse Institute | kranse.com

The Kranse Institute incorporates 147 10-minute standalone videos that focus on strategies and shortcuts for the SAT, ACT and PSAT/NMSQT, as opposed to the traditional review-and-memorize approach. Each course costs $499, and special offers are available. Students enrolled in the SAT prep course can also take advantage of a free mobile app.

Magoosh | magoosh.com

Magoosh offers a $129 12-month subscription for Premium, a self-paced course that features video lessons, practice questions and practice tests for the SAT and ACT. The Guided Study package offers everything included in Premium, plus live instruction, and costs $399. A seven-day trial and a free mobile app are also available.

Peterson’s | petersons.com

Peterson’s offers a full test prep library, which includes study guides and practice tests for the SAT, ACT and PSAT/NMSQT. Rates are $39–$49 per month, with threeand six-month subscriptions offering live online tutoring. Free trials and a mobile app are available.

PrepScholar | prepscholar.com

PrepScholar is customized to students’ strengths and weaknesses. It provides online prep courses for the SAT, ACT and PSAT/NMSQT for an entire year, starting at $397. Add-on options, including live classroom instruction for $895 or oneto-one tutoring for $995 and up, are also available. All courses offer a five-day trial.

Princeton Review | princetonreview.com

The Princeton Review provides online and in-person live programs, a self-paced ondemand course, intensives, and individual tutoring services for the SAT, ACT and PSAT/NMSQT ranging from $299–$2,199. Special offers are also available.

Erik the Red | erikthered.com

Designed by New Jersey–based math and physics tutor Erik Jacobsen, Ph.D., Erik the Red focuses exclusively on SAT and ACT math and features relevant facts, formulas, strategies and quizzes in free, downloadable PDFs.