Best Long Island High Schools by SAT Scores

Long Island is home to some of the best public and private high schools in New York State. Many of these schools consistently produce outstanding SAT scores, reflecting strong academic programs and a commitment to college readiness. Whether you’re a student aiming for top-tier colleges or a parent exploring the best local options, understanding where schools stand in terms of …

FAFSA Issues

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a critical tool for students seeking financial support for higher education in the United States. However, recent developments have introduced FAFSA issues that could impact students’ access to necessary funding.​ Delayed Rollout and Technical Glitches In December 2023, the Department of Education launched a revamped FAFSA form aimed at simplifying the …

What to Do After a Low Score on a Practice Test (Hint: Don’t Panic)

Seeing a low score on a practice test can feel disheartening — but don’t let it discourage you. Practice tests are meant to highlight areas for improvement, and a low score is just a starting point, not a final judgment of your potential. Here’s what to do next to turn that setback into success. 1. Take a Breath and Reframe …

For Middle School Parents: Tips for Starting High School

Blog post from BigFuture* Are you the parent of a middle school student? Then high school is right around the corner. It can be overwhelming for students and families, but BigFuture can help. As your student is getting ready to enter high school, they probably have a lot of questions, including what classes to take and how to get involved. …

How to Study for the TACHS

By Nicholas LaPoma, Esq. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Archdiocese of New York has decided to replace the Catholic High School Entrance Exam (CHSEE) with an online Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools (TACHS). Unfortunately, like your grandmother’s meatball recipes, the TACHS exam is very secretive. Outside of the few sample questions in TACHS’s self-published, annual handbook, …

Back-to-School Goals

Check out these first semester goals for 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. By Andrew W. I always loathed back-to-school shopping. The week before Labor Day each year, my siblings and I would trudge towards a nearby Staples as my mother prodded us onward like a cowboy herding cattle across the Great Plains. It was a painful reminder that summer, …

Celebrity SAT Scores

1. Bill Gates: It’s no question that the famous multi-billionaire creator of Microsoft is a pure genius and his SAT score certainly compliments that fact. Gates notched a 1590 on his SATs, 10 points away from a perfect score! I bet the person who devised the one question Bill Gates got wrong must feel pretty cool knowing he stumped one …

SAT and ACT: How to Prepare for Exam Day

Testing season is almost here. If you’re planning on taking the ACT in February or the SAT in March, you should be well into your test prep by now (if you think you might be behind schedule, check out our post on when to start preparing for either test). Even if you’re on track for success now, how you handle …

6 Signs You’ve Found the Right SAT/ACT Tutor

Tests are hard. Maybe your student gets tripped up by the phrasing of questions, has trouble with timing, or, like for many students, is losing the battle with testing anxiety. No matter their unique situation, finding the right tutor can be just as much of a struggle. Tutoring should be approached like a teeter-totter (remember those playground staples from your …