Test Prep Tutor Blog | Clear Choice Test Prep

Digital SAT® Score Report Review: How to Interpret Test Results Without QAS/SAS

Digital SAT® score reports don’t include QAS/SAS question review. Here’s how to debrief test results with your students, set new priorities, and choose next steps using practice-test data.

Matt McCorkleFebruary 24, 2026Score Reports, Standardized Test Scores, Digital SAT® Score Report, SAT® Scores, Digital SAT® Scores, Retake SAT®, Test-Prep Planning, Study Plans, Next Steps, Post-Test Review, Post-Test Day

What New ACT® and SAT® Tutors Should Focus on in Their First Year

Starting an ACT® or SAT® tutoring business? Here’s what actually matters in your first year—from focus and pricing to materials, credibility, and avoiding early mistakes.

Matt McCorkleFebruary 17, 2026New Business, Starting a test-prep business, Starting a tutoring business, New Tutor, New Test-Prep Company, Small Tutoring Business, Small Business Tutoring, Small Business Test Prep, Small Tutoring Company, Small Test-Prep Business, Small Test-Prep Company, First year of test prep, First year of tutoring, Advice for Test-Prep Businesses, Advice for Test-Prep Professionals, Advice for Tutors

Buyer's Guide: Best Calculators for the ACT®, Digital SAT®, and College

Help your clients choose the best calculator for the ACT®, digital SAT®, and college. I break down what’s allowed, what’s banned (CAS), and which scientific or graphing models make the smartest long-term purchase.

Matt McCorkleFebruary 10, 2026Calculators, Calculator Policies, SAT® Calculator Policy, Digital SAT® Desmos Calculator, ACT® Calculator Policy, Calculator Buying Guide

8 Digital SAT® Grammar Rules Students Should Be Taught First

Teach your students the most-tested Digital SAT® grammar patterns using 8 quick rules with simple examples and fast tutor drills—no fluff.

Matt McCorkleFebruary 3, 2026Digital SAT® Reading & Writing, SAT® Writing, SAT® Reading, SAT® Reading and Writing, DSAT® Reading and Writing, Grammar, Grammar Rules, SAT® Grammar Rules

Why Test Prep Feels So Rushed in Spring—and How Winter Planning Can Help

Spring test prep often feels rushed as ACT® and SAT® dates, college deadlines, and academics collide. Here’s how tutors can help reduce April–June pressure by prepping and planning in winter.

Matt McCorkleJanuary 27, 2026Winter Test Prep, Winter, Winter Test Dates, Spring Test Dates, Spring Test Prep, Test-Prep Planning, College Planning, Test-Prep Plans, Study Plans, Tutoring Plans, Test Prep Plan

3 Methods for Increasing Speed on the ACT® and SAT®

Teach your students to increase speed on the ACT® and SAT® by building the right skillset: familiarity, skill mastery, and realistic repetition—and avoid rushing.

Matt McCorkleJanuary 20, 2026Speed, Test Speed, Time Management, Pacing, Increase Testing Speed, Increase Speed, Increase Pace, ACT®, SAT®

10 New Year’s Resolutions for Test Prep Students

Help your students set New Year’s academic and test-prep goals that actually stick. Practical resolution ideas, accountability strategies, and tutor-friendly ways to build momentum.

Matt McCorkleJanuary 13, 2026New Year, Test Prep in the New Year, New Year's Resolutions, Goal Setting, Learning Goals, Academic Goals, Test-Prep Goals, Motivating Students

What January Test-Prep Data Is—and Isn’t—Telling Tutors

January test-prep data can be misleading. This post explains what early results really show—and how tutors can interpret January data without overreacting.

Matt McCorkleJanuary 6, 2026January, Winter Test Prep, Winter Break, Winter, Test-Prep Data, Test-Prep System, Test-Prep Sessions, Test-Prep Support, Supporting Students, Supporting Clients, Test-Prep Planning, Test-Prep Plans, Tutoring Plans, Study Plans, Test Prep Plan, Retention

6 January Test Prep Mistakes That Send Prep Off Track—and How Tutors Can Avoid Them

January test prep often goes off track due to subtle tutor decisions. This post breaks down six common January mistakes and how tutors can avoid them.

Matt McCorkleDecember 30, 2025January, Winter Test Prep, Winter, Winter Break, Winter Test Dates, Skill Regression, Supporting Clients, Supporting Students, Advice for Test-Prep Businesses, Advice for Tutors, Advice for Test-Prep Professionals, Tutor Advice, Test Prep Plan, Test-Prep Planning, Test-Prep Plans, Test Prep

How Tutors Can Get Students Back into Test Prep After Winter Break

Winter break can disrupt test prep momentum. Learn how you can help your students reset, rebuild confidence, and get ACT® and SAT® prep back on track in January.

Matt McCorkleDecember 23, 2025New Year, January, January Test Prep, Test Prep in the New Year, Winter Test Prep, Winter, Winter Break

How Parent Support Keeps College Applications on Track

Discover practical ways parents can support teens through college applications—organizing deadlines, tracking documents, and preventing last-minute surprises.

Matt McCorkleDecember 16, 2025Parents and Guardians, Parent Involvement, Parents Role in Test Prep, Supporting Parents, Parental Support, Supporting Students, Supporting Clients, College, College Planning, Test-Prep Planning, College Applications, Organization, Time Management, College Prep

Academic Rigor in High School: Giving An Edge in College Admissions and Test Scores

Learn how rigorous high school coursework strengthens college applications and builds the skills that lead to higher ACT® and SAT® scores for college-bound students.

Matt McCorkleDecember 9, 2025Academic Rigor, Academic Goals, Academic Skills, Academic Confidence, Academic Growth, Academic Progress, Academic Performance, AP classes, Honors classes, College Planning, College Prep, Course Selection, Advanced Placement Courses

Winter 2025–26 ACT® & SAT® Dates (Plus Holiday Prep Tips for Tutors)

Get key Winter 2025–26 ACT® and SAT® test dates, deadlines, and planning tips so you can help clients build a realistic, low-stress test-prep plan this winter season.

Matt McCorkleDecember 3, 2025Winter, Winter Test Prep, Winter Test Dates, Test Dates, ACT® Dates, SAT® Dates, Winter Break, Target Score, Test Registration

The Real Differences Between College Testing Policies: A Tutor’s Guide

A clear guide to test-optional, test-blind, test-flexible, and other college testing policies—plus how to explain each one to your clients.

Why 10th Grade Is the New Starting Line for College Planning

Learn why college planning should start in 10th grade, and how early guidance leads to stronger college applicants, better test scores, and less stress later.

Matt McCorkleNovember 25, 2025Sophomore Year, College Planning, College Prep, College Fit, Prepping for College, 10th Grade, Supporting Clients, Supporting Students, Supporting Parents, College, Test Prep

Why Early Intervention Tutoring Boosts ACT® & SAT® Success

Discover why starting ACT®/SAT® prep early gives students a major edge—plus three proven strategies tutors can use to build lasting test-day confidence.