(NAPSI)—Many students and their parents may be surprised to learn it but college application season doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are some things students should know that can help.
First, it’s now easier than ever for students to show their best work on the SAT. Accepted at all colleges and universities, the SAT measures the few things needed for college success and reflects what students are already learning in class.
What’s more, students prefer the new SAT to the old test by a 7 to 1 margin. Here’s why:
• Gone are “SAT words”—words no one has seen before or will likely see again.
• There is no penalty for guessing. Students no longer lose points for wrong answers.
• There is more time per question. Students have 43 percent more time than on the ACT.
• Only relevant math concepts are tested. Students just need to know essential skills for college and career.
The new SAT is the only college admission test that comes with free, personalized, online study tools with Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy (www.satpractice.org). Students have access to thousands of interactive practice questions, video lessons, test-taking tips, and strategies, including eight full-length practice tests.
Recently released data about free Official SAT Practice show that nothing advances student opportunity and success like personalized practice. The data link 20 hours of practice using Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy to a 115-point average score gain from the PSAT/NMSQT to the SAT—an increase nearly double the average score gain of students who don’t use it.
Just as students can take advantage of free test practice, they can also take advantage of free resources to navigate the college application and financial aid process. To begin building their college lists, students can use free resources such as the College Board’s www.BigFuture.org or the CollegeGo app to search for and compare colleges; navigate the college application process from start to finish with deadline reminders, tips and guidance; find scholarships; and understand financial aid.
That’s important, because there are billions of dollars of financial aid available to help students pay for college. BigFuture.org includes a Scholarship Search tool for finding scholarships, other financial aid and internships from among more than 2,200 programs, totaling nearly $6 billion.
There are many kinds of scholarships, with scholarships from colleges being the most common type. Additionally, with the PSAT/NMSQT or the PSAT 10, students have access to more than $180 million in scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and several other College Board scholarship partners.