The “test-optional” era, which many believed would be a permanent fixture of American higher education, is undergoing a dramatic and rapid reversal. As we move into the 2026 admissions cycle, the pendulum has swung back toward standardized testing with remarkable force. Elite institutions—including Harvard, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, and Caltech—have officially ended their test-optional experiments, once […]
As the SAT looms on the horizon, many students and parents grapple with a pivotal question: should I hire an SAT tutor? Let’s break down the factors. Assessing the Situation: Do You Need a Tutor? Standardized tests can feel like foreboding challenges. While some exceptionally gifted students can succeed on them with self-study, […]
| GRE Test Section | # of Questions | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 1 essay prompt | 30 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning |
Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions |
Section 1: 18 minutes Section 2: 23 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning |
Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions |
Section 1: 21 minutes Section 2: 26 minutes |
| SAT Test Section | # of Questions | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing |
1st module: 27 questions 2nd module: 27 questions |
1st module: 32 minutes 2nd module: 32 minutes |
| Math |
1st module: 22 questions 2nd module: 22 questions |
1st module: 35 minutes 2nd module: 35 minutes |
Total Exam Time
2 hours, 14 minutes not counting breaks between sections
| ACT Test Section | # of Questions | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| English | 50 (40 Scored) | 35 minutes |
| Math | 45 (41 Scored) | 50 minutes |
| Reading | 36 (27 Scored) | 40 minutes |
| ACT Test Section | # of Questions | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Science (Optional) | 40 (34 Scored) | 40 minutes |
| Writing (Optional) | 1 Essay | 40 minutes |
