Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Industry Podcast
542 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 37 ratingsWelcome to THE college admissions industry podcast! Join Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley as they discuss the latest issues in testing, admissions, learning, and education with leading experts.
Tests and the Rest is perfect for school counselors, educators, test prep professionals, college consultants, and just about anyone engaged in the college admissions process. You can subscribe to this podcast or stream it online via any podcast app, including iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio.
YOUR HOSTS
Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros.
Between the two of us, expect over 50 years of industry insight, expertise, insider news, and a bit of sarcasm.
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Episodes
41. Helping Teens Get The Sleep They Need
November 12, 2019 11:00 - 24 minutes - 23.3 MBHumans may spend about a third of their lives asleep, but the average time at slumber dips dramatically during the teen years. Yet, the physical, mental, and emotional health of adolescents and young adults depends desperately on sufficient time to rest, recuperate, and dream. Amy and Mike invited program manager for Start School Later of Sleep 101 Kari Oakes to offer strategies for helping teens get the sleep they need. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How much sleep...
41. Mental Techniques for Peak Test Performance
November 08, 2019 11:00 - 25 minutes - 24.6 MBTechniques such as hypnosis and neuro-linguistic programming can be used to quell anxiety, sharpen focus, and boost performance. So why do so few educators know about how these skills and interventions can improve test taking outcomes? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Bara Sapir to share some mental techniques for peak test performance. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are some mental enhancement techniques that allow us to be present in a pivotal mom...
40. 2020 Changes in Admissions Rules
November 05, 2019 11:00 - 26 minutes - 25.4 MBNACAC’s Code of Ethics and Professional Practices (CEPP) establish guidelines for college admissions conduct that most colleges voluntarily observe. In 2019, the organization voted to remove three provisions believed to inhibit competition among colleges for students. How will this change college recruiting practices? Amy and Mike invited past president of NACAC Patrick O’Connor to explain the implications of 2020 changes in admissions rules. What are five things you will learn in this ep...
39. What Does It Mean to Be A Bad Test Taker?
November 01, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 25.3 MBWhile we always expect standardized test scores to reflect general academic achievement, these metrics often diverge dramatically. When students underperform on tests, they--and their parents--often conclude that they are just “bad test takers.” But is that even a thing? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional and author Moshe Ohayon to clarify what it means to be a bad test taker. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Is it possible to be a bad test taker? What are ...
38. How Test Prep Tutoring Should Work
October 29, 2019 10:00 - 28 minutes - 26.7 MBIn a perfect world, every student would commit to exactly the kind of test prep program he or she needs to confidently reach or exceed SAT & ACT score goals. However, in the world we live in, most families have no idea what an ideal test prep program should even look like. Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Evan Wessler to illuminate how test prep tutoring should work. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why is test prep necessary? What are some fundamentals a...
37. Bringing Grit to Testing and Admissions
October 25, 2019 10:00 - 25 minutes - 24.3 MB“Grit” is definitely one of this decade’s biggest buzzwords in education. However, many people use this term without a clear sense of what grit really means or how to cultivate it. Amy and Mike invited researcher and author Laila Y. Sanguras to explain how to bring grit to the testing and admissions process. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What exactly is grit? Why are passion and perseverance essential to reaching high levels of success ? How can parents, educat...
36. What Motivates Students and How to Engage Them
October 22, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24.9 MBMost high schoolers are highly motivated to attend and maybe even graduate college. If only they’d bring the same fervor to the steps needed to get to college! Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Pranoy Mohapatra to discuss what motivates students and how to engage them. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Where does motivation start and what motivates most teens? What can be done to help drive students who lack or lose motivation? Why is motivating students...
35. Attending A Jesuit University
October 18, 2019 10:00 - 23 minutes - 22.9 MBWhile you may be able to uncover hundreds of Catholic and Christian universities in your college searches, you’ll only find a select number of Jesuit schools. These universities, however, tend to stand out from the crowd in terms of reputation, satisfaction, and overall academic excellence. Amy and Mike invited Xavier University Regional Recruitment Director Trace Althoff to extol the virtues of attending a Jesuit university. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How many ...
34. How To Teach Students To Study Effectively
October 15, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MBIsn’t it funny how we expect students to study and understand really complex material while using really basic study skills? Educators should prepare their students for advanced learning by understanding and sharing advanced learning techniques. Amy and Mike invited academic life coach Gretchen Wegner to share tips on how to teach students to study effectively. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does your body have to do with your ability to learn? What and why ed...
33. PSAT and the National Merit Scholarship Process
October 11, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 25.5 MBEvery October, approximately 3.5 million high schoolers take the PSAT/NMSQT, but a significantly smaller percentage of the population understands exactly why! Amy and Mike invited test prep professional and author Brian Stewart to explain both the PSAT and the National Merit Scholarship. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the PSAT and why should a student take it? What is the National Merit Scholarship? How does the Selection Index differ from a PSAT or SAT ...
32. Making The Most Of College Visits
October 08, 2019 10:00 - 25 minutes - 24.2 MBEveryone knows that school visits are an important and often enjoyable part of the college admissions process. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to make this process worthwhile. Amy and Mike invited independent educational consultant Jodi Rosenshein Atkin to share serious tips on making the most of college visits. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What makes school visits important for students in terms of both fit and admissions? What is a “Goldilocks visit” dry...
31. What College Board and ACT Are Getting Right
October 04, 2019 10:00 - 28 minutes - 26.7 MBDespite their value, the SAT and ACT have always been the tests people love to hate. But do the test makers themselves--considering all the good works they do--deserve this same level of contempt? Amy and Mike invited Ben Sexton of Sexton Test Prep to clarify what College Board and ACT are doing right. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How do predictive validity research supports the value of the SAT in admissions decisions? Why does Khan Academy delivers such valuab...
30. Attending A Large Public University
October 01, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 25.3 MBWhen people think of colleges, the names that come to mind are very often those of large public universities. But how many teens can handle attending schools with populations larger than their own hometowns? You’d be surprised! Amy and Mike invited The Ohio State University Admissions Counselor Keith Lofton to expand upon the benefits of attending a large public university. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Are students typically overwhelmed by the size of a huge unive...
29. How Parents Can Best Support Students In Test Prep
September 27, 2019 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBTesting may be an individual endeavor, but test prep is very much a team sport. People often focus on the essential roles of educators, counselors, and other external supports, but what about dear old mom and dad? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Alexis Avila to explain how parents can best support students in test prep. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are helicopter, snowplow, curling, and absentee landlord parents? How much pressure is the right a...
28. The Reality of Grade Inflation
September 24, 2019 10:00 - 27 minutes - 25.8 MBEarning 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 p...
27. Common Myths About The SAT and ACT
September 20, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 25 MBFor admissions exams as infamous as the SAT and ACT, these classic tests seem to inspire a lot of confusion. How much about prior versions of these tests still hold true, and what commonly held beliefs were always false? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Daniel Ascher to debunk some common myths about the SAT and ACT. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Do some schools prefer one test over the other? Are certain tests or test dates easier than others? Does...
26. All About the ROTC Scholarship
September 17, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24.9 MBFew Americans know much about the Reserve Officer Training Corps program, and even fewer have insight into the ROTC scholarship. However, the evident and not-so-obvious benefits of this scholarship deserve the attention of anyone involved in the college admissions process. Amy and Mike invited consultant and author Lieutenant Colonel Robert O. Kirkland to talk all about the ROTC scholarship. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does ROTC entail? How difficult is...
25. When Gifted and Talented Students Struggle
September 13, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 25.1 MBTo many, the gifted and talented designation seems to promise a future of effortless academic success. How, then, can the adults in their lives help when these students face the inevitable educational challenges? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Shane Bybee to offer guidance on what to do when gifted and talented students struggle. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How is gifted and talented defined and identified? What is the remedy when gifted and talent...
24. Choosing High School Math Courses Strategically
September 10, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 25.2 MBOf all the academic choices a student entering eighth grade or high school must make, math course selection exerts the most influence on future choices. What should a student, parent, or counselor consider when weighing the options? Amy and Mike invited author and math expert Richard Corn to clarify the process of choosing high school math courses strategically. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What should drive math course selection? How do grade level, accelerated...
23. Attending College in a Big City
September 06, 2019 10:00 - 28 minutes - 27.1 MBThe world’s great cities offer some of the biggest, best, and broadest options in virtually any category you can think of, including colleges and universities. What differentiates the metropolitan college experience, and who most--or least--benefits from such a dynamic, diverse environment? Amy and Mike invited NYU Director of Admissions Billy Sichel to shed light on the realities of attending college in a big city. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the advant...
22. What Is ACT Science All About?
September 03, 2019 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBNo feature of the ACT distinguishes that test more from its College Board rival than the Science section. How can a test feature as enduring and prominent as this one still be so poorly understood? Amy and Mike invited author and test prep guru Michael Cerro to provide some definitive answers regarding what ACT Science is all about. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What makes ACT Science different from every other test section? How much actual science does a test ta...
21. Implications of an Environmental Context Dashboard
August 30, 2019 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBThe public rarely receives any College Board initiative warmly, but the general response to announcement of the Environmental Context Dashboard exceeded most previous levels of cynicism, so much so that they’re already going back to the drawing board for a new plan. What makes the idea of an “adversity score” so contentious, and what does that nickname get wrong? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Travis Minor to provide much-needed context to the implications of an Environmental C...
20. Therapeutic Schools and Teens in Crisis
August 27, 2019 10:00 - 24 minutes - 22.7 MBWhile every teen endures some level of emotional or behavioral turmoil, some reach such a crisis point that they require immersive therapy in specialized academic or nonacademic settings. Amy and Mike invited education professional Jason Robinovitz to explain the different options for therapeutic schools and teens in crisis. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What kind of students need therapeutic schools and programs? What are the purposes and goals of these programs...
19. College Price Transparency
August 23, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MBWhen is a price not a price? When the stated retail cost of a year at any college diverges dramatically from what students actually cost, you can’t effectively factor price into your initial college search. Amy and Mike invited educational expert Mark Salisbury to explain the importance of and path to college price transparency. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why isn’t a college’s “sticker price” enough to understand how much a student actually pays? Why do underg...
18. Using Mindfulness for Test and School Success
August 20, 2019 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MBHow can we succeed in the moment when we’re so burdened by thoughts of the past and anxious over fears of the future? The practice and application of mindfulness can keep a person fully focused on the present. Amy and Mike invited author and test prep professional Logan Thompson to discuss powerful strategies for using mindfulness for test and school success. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is mindfulness? What is “the other half of test prep” and how can mind...
17. Differences Between SAT and ACT Grammar
August 16, 2019 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MBThe multiple-choice grammar sections of the SAT and ACT have never been more similar. Nonetheless, important distinctions between the ACT English and SAT Writing and Language sections can influence how test takers approach the exams. Amy and Mike invited best-selling author Erica Meltzer to explore the subtle differences between the SAT and ACT grammar sections. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How similar are the SAT and ACT grammar sections? Are some grammar quest...
16. How The SAT Is Actually Scored
August 13, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBMany test takers find the basic scaling of the SAT confusing, but the finer points of how this highly influential yet massively misunderstood test is graded mystifies even the professionals who deal with the SAT every day. Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Aaron Golumbfskie to definitively explain how the SAT is really scored... What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why don’t raw score-scale score conversions remain the same from test to test? Is the SAT scored...
15. Finishing A Four Year Degree On Time
August 09, 2019 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBAbout 66% of American students FAIL to earn their bachelor’s degrees in four years. Yet, those extra years of college come at a tremendous cost. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Edie Steele to explore the benefits and challenges around finishing a four-year degree on time. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why does finishing a four-year degree on time matter? What academic issues keep students from finishing college on time? What credit and career plann...
14. Mathematical Maturity & Test Success
August 06, 2019 10:00 - 25 minutes - 24.5 MBFar too often, we evaluate math ability in high schoolers solely on the basis of grades and level of math learned. A more accurate assessment of a student’s potential on challenging math tasks--including those posed on tests like the SAT and ACT--should consider mathematical maturity. Amy and Mike invited author and test prep professional Dr. Steve Warner to define what this means and explain the link between mathematical maturity and test success. What are five things you will learn...
13. The Rampant Cost Of College
July 30, 2019 10:00 - 24 minutes - 23.8 MBMost of us involved even tangentially in college admissions understand that, while earning a college degree is expensive, the investment is well worth it on a variety of levels. But college is, by any metric, expensive! Amy and Mike invited college finance and planning expert Paul Celuch to discuss ways to recognize and deal with the rampant cost of college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Are college applicants making rational economic choices? Do colleges seem out...
12. How School and Private College Counselors Can Work Together
July 23, 2019 10:00 - 23 minutes - 22.6 MBWhy is it so difficult sometimes for professionals with overlapping competencies to collaborate or communicate even when they seek the same outcomes. Amy and Mike invited Cathy Charles Szendrey, who works as both a school-based and private college counselor, to explore how school and private college counselors can work together. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why do school counselors often reject working with outside college consultants? Are there positive ways sc...
11. Teen Anxiety and Socioeconomic Status
July 16, 2019 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBWhile all teenagers are alike in certain ways, those at the very top and very bottom of the socioeconomic spectrum share some disconcerting similarities. How are these peer groups connected and what can be done to help them? Amy and Mike invited psychiatrist Anthony Villani to bring clarity to the topic of anxiety and socioeconomic status. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What fascinating aspects of teen life has Dr.Suniya Luthar uncovered in her research? What beh...
10. Deciding Between the SAT and ACT
July 09, 2019 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBThe SAT and ACT have both been around for decades, but the two tests have never been more alike or universally accepted. How is a college-bound teen to choose? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Heather Krey to help understand the relevant criteria in deciding between the SAT and ACT. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why shouldn’t students automatically default to a certain test? What math considerations influence test selection? What reading consideratio...
9. College Advising for Underserved Populations
July 02, 2019 10:00 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MBComprehensive college advising sets the foundation for college success, but not all students receive this guidance in equal measure. What kind of specific support do urban, rural, and first-generation students need, and who can and should provide it?. Amy and Mike invited school counselor Dr. Chris Tudico to help understand the topic of college advising for underserved populations. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How do underserved populations differ from majority po...
8. Bringing Critical Balance to High Schoolers' Lives
June 21, 2019 02:26 - 24 minutes - 22 MBMany of today’s high school students somehow appear to cram 30 hours of academic, extracurricular, work, and social commitments into each of their 24-hour days. Is that frenzy of activity sustainable or even healthy? Amy and Mike invited school counselor Eric Domroes to analyze the need for bringing critical balance to high schoolers’ lives. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does balance mean for a high school student? Where does the pressure to do too much come ...
7. The State of the Test Prep Industry in 2019
June 21, 2019 02:22 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBTest preparation might be the least understood or explored multibillion dollar industry in the world. How has test prep--particularly in the realm of college admissions testing--changed, and how is the industry still changing? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Kevin Organisciak to explore the state of the test prep industry in 2019. What are five things you will learn in this episode? In what ways is the test prep industry growing? What forms of test prep are students currentl...
6. How to Make the Most of Online Test Prep
June 21, 2019 02:15 - 25 minutes - 23 MBStudents have never had access to more or better digital SAT and ACT prep tools than they do right now. So why aren’t everyone’s scores skyrocketing? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Tom Ehlers to explain how to make the most of online test prep. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the different forms of online prep? What are the benefits of self-paced digital prep and who best benefits from it? What features make the best self-paced digital prep t...
5. Need Blind and Need Aware Admissions
June 21, 2019 01:59 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MBIs any aspect of college admissions more mystifying than the determination of financial aid? The concept of “need” and how different schools consider need in both admissions and aid decisions goes deeper than most people realize. Amy and Mike invited admissions consultant Jona Jacobson to bring clarity to the topic of need blind and need aware admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What do the terms “need,” “need blind,” and “need aware” mean in college admissio...
4. The Role of Libraries in Testing and Admissions
June 21, 2019 01:52 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MBIn communities across the United States, libraries deliver critical services to students and families on the road to college. Why do so few people recognize the essential role libraries can play in this process? Amy and Mike invited YA Librarian Deena Viviani to elucidate the role of libraries in testing and admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? In what ways do libraries support students preparing for the SAT and ACT? In what ways do libraries support students...
3. ACT Score Review & Validation
June 21, 2019 01:45 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MBSecurity at testing centers is almost as tight as screening at American airports. Yet, some test takers still find ways to cheat on the ACT or at least raise suspicions. Amy and Mike invited school counselor Desiree Rodriguez-Gould to explore to the process of ACT score review and validation. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How does ACT, Inc. handle score review and validation? What roles can counselors and test prep professionals play in the review process? How b...
2. Past, Present, and Future of Testing
June 21, 2019 00:56 - 22 minutes - 21 MBAs long as institutions have required admissions tests, applicants have sought out more efficient and effective ways to prepare for them. Amy and Mike took some time to chat about some interesting aspects of the past, present, and future of test prep. Amy also shared how she got into test prep.. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How is the test prep landscape different today? How has college admissions changed over the years? Does geography influence test choice toda...
1. SAT & ACT Testing and Timelines
June 13, 2019 17:56 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBThe SAT and ACT are now offered throughout all four seasons, with tests available nearly every month of the year. That doesn’t mean, however, that every test date is equally auspicious for a busy high schooler. Amy and Mike took some time to discuss all of the factors that determine when a student should sit for the big tests and when the best time to take the SAT and ACT might be. Mike also shared how he got into test prep.. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Does test ...