Best Higher Scores Test Prep Podcasts (2025)

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Understanding GRE percentiles: what your GRE score really means 19:15

Play Pause

5d ago19:15

19:15

Your GRE score shouldn't exist in a vacuum. Matt Roy is a longtime dedicated GRE tutor with thousands of hours of tutoring experience, and the author of Achievable's GRE course. In this episode, Matt explains what GRE percentiles are, how to find them or calculate them, and why they are the best way for you to plan your GRE. Achievable's GRE prep c…

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682. CULTIVATING AND RECOGNIZING ACADEMIC CURIOSITY 25:43

7d ago25:43

25:43

The primary goal of our formative years is often seen as figuring out what we want to do with the rest of our lives. Why, then, do we focus so much on what we want to *be* instead? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Matthew Jaskol to explore the importance of cultivating and recognizing academic curiosity. What are five things you will lea…

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681. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: October 2025 32:04

11d ago32:04

32:04

The Tests and the Rest podcast is always focused on exploring essential topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues and ongoing adventures at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the late…

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680. SCHOLARSHIPS, MAJORS, AND HOW CLARITY CAN UNLOCK MORE COLLEGE AID 55:31

14d ago55:31

55:31

While high schoolers don't need to know exactly what they'll be doing with the rest of their lives, those students who make intentional, well-informed major choices before applying to college can unlock more merit-based and private scholarship opportunities–including specific awards based on intended major. Mike moderated a conversation with Dave P…

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How graduate schools are already using AI in the admissions process and what that means for you 24:16

19d ago24:16

24:16

How are graduate schools changing with the AI revolution? Jay Bryant, Associate Director of Business School Relations at ETS, speaks with MBA admissions officers regularly as part of his role. In this episode, Jay shares what he is seeing regarding graduate schools and AI, including how they are leveraging it in resume screening and essay review, a…

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679. How Do Female Students Benefit From Female Educators? 26:08

21d ago26:08

26:08

If learning and testing weren't already challenging enough in and of themselves, success can often depend on the level of congruence between students and teachers. For example, is gender an influential factor in academic success? Amy and Mike invited educator Megan Fitzwater to explore how female students benefit from female educators. What are fiv…

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678. HOW PARENTS CAN SUPPORT (NOT DERAIL) THE COLLEGE PROCESS 27:37

28d ago27:37

27:37

For many college applicants, the dream of higher education would be unattainable without the support of their parents and guardians. That doesn't mean, however, that these well-meaning adults can't become an adverse influence in admissions. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Lisa Hillhouse to discuss how parents can support and not derail …

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The 4 most common mistakes on the GRE Quantitative section 15:05

1M ago15:05

15:05

What are the mistakes that an experienced GRE tutor sees people making over and over again? Matt Roy is a longtime dedicated GRE tutor with thousands of hours of tutoring experience, and the author of Achievable's GRE course. In this episode, Matt walks you through the 4 most common mistakes on the GRE Quant and how to avoid them. Achievable's GRE …

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The One-Point Trick: How to Turn $3,000 in Test Prep Into $24,000 in Scholarships 12:57

1M ago12:57

12:57

In July 2025, everything changed for families planning for college. New legislation now allows you to use 529 College Savings Plans for ACT and SAT test prep—completely tax-free. But here's what makes this really exciting: quality test prep typically improves scores by 3-5 points, and at most universities, even a single point can mean the differenc…

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677. How Ikigai Can Help To Choose a College Major 25:10

1M ago25:10

25:10

Ikigai, a Japanese concept that translates to "a reason for being" or "a reason to live," focuses on the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Doesn't that sound like a critical consideration for college students and applicants? Amy and Mike invited admissions expert V. Peter Pitts t…

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676. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: September 2025 28:18

1M ago28:18

28:18

The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and educati…

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675. Unlocking Automatic Scholarships With PSAT, SAT, & ACT Scores 25:34

1M ago25:34

25:34

The process of applying to college can be so cumbersome and time consuming that applicants have little time left over for elaborate scholarship applications. Luckily, students can qualify for abundant merit aid just by excelling on admissions tests they should be prepping for anyway! Amy and Mike invited educator Shaan Patel to explore how to unloc…

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How AI will change MBAs forever 34:57

2M ago34:57

34:57

How has AI already changed MBA applications and programs, and what's next? Mateo Chang is an independent MBA admissions consultant with 20 years of experience and has helped over 600 students. In this episode, Mateo shares how AI will change MBAs, including how AI will impact the job market, whether MBA programs can adapt to teach AI for business, …

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674. How And Why To Perform Your Best on the PSAT 29:59

2M ago29:59

29:59

The PSAT/NMSQT may not influence college admissions decisions, but the test matters in more ways than you might think. Amy and Mike invited educator and author Brian Stewart to discuss how and why to perform your best on the PSAT. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What role does the PSAT play compared to the SAT or ACT? What are …

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673. Preparing For A College Admissions Interview 26:18

2M ago26:18

26:18

Someone once said that interviewing is tough, especially if you don't know what you're looking for. Another complicating factor is having no answer to predictable questions–a regrettably common occurrence for higher ed applicants. Amy and Mike invited educator Alison Slater to explore the importance of preparing for a college admissions interview. …

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7 tips for using the official GRE practice tests effectively 17:24

2M ago17:24

17:24

You only have so many official GRE practice tests, so how do you get the most out of them? Erfun Guela is the founder of GRE Compass, has authored a GRE prep book with over 100,000 sales, and has 15 years of GRE and GMAT tutoring experience. In this episode, Erfun shares his approach for using your valuable official GRE practice exams, including ti…

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672. From Stage To Test: What Performance Teaches Us About Test Anxiety 28:49

2M ago28:49

28:49

All the world's a stage, which means that performance anxiety can be debilitating in a variety of contexts. What does it take to silence your inner critics and do your best when only your best will do? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Christine Gangelhoff to explore what performance teaches us about test anxiety. What are five things you…

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671. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: August 2025 27:43

2M ago27:43

27:43

The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. …

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670. Intentionality On The Road To College 25:21

2M ago25:21

25:21

It's been said that when we set an intention, somehow the world seems to magically come to meet us. Does that apply in college admissions? You'll never find out if you don't try. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Ann Cadwallader to outline the impact of intentionality on the road to college. What are five things you will learn in this epi…

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How the MBA world is changing in 2025, with ETS' Jay Bryant 30:54

3M ago30:54

30:54

How does someone with a unique level of access to the MBA world see the current landscape in 2025? Jay Bryant, Associate Director of Business School Relations at ETS, speaks with MBA admissions officers regularly as a part of his role. In this episode, we discuss the evolution of test optional policies for MBA programs in 2025, financial aid trends…

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669. College Essay Secrets 27:55

3M ago27:55

27:55

Few writing assignments loom as large or feel as significant as the application essay does to a college-bound teen. But what if the keys to a statement that makes a difference were both simple to understand and easy to implement? Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Susan Knoppow to reveal valuable college essay secrets. What are five things…

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668. STRATEGIES FOR THE COMPUTER-BASED ACT 29:37

3M ago29:37

29:37

Starting in September 2025, the ACT will be administered nationally both on paper and on digital devices. Should you take the ACT on a computer? If so, what do you need to know in advance? Amy and Mike invited educator Adam Snoza to review Strategies For The Computer-Based ACT. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What should test t…

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The different types of ROI that an MBA can provide 36:12

3M ago36:12

36:12

We all know that MBAs are supposed to increase your earnings, but is that selling them short? Oren Margolis is the founder of Pinetree & Palm Consulting, which he started after spending 6 years working in admissions at NYU and NYU Stern. In this episode, Oren and Tyler talk about rethinking the MBA investment, what other things you get from an MBA,…

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667. THE IMPACT OF DUAL ENROLLMENT 26:09

3M ago26:09

26:09

Imagine two models of education, one of which reserves opportunities for college credit for college students and another which allows high schoolers to also earn college credit. Which do you think most college-bound students would prefer? Amy and Mike invited admissions professional Audrey Moreno to explore the impact of dual enrollment programs. W…

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666. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: July 2025 26:15

3M ago26:15

26:15

The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. …

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665. HOW TO MANAGE PROCRASTINATION IN THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS 25:56

3M ago25:56

25:56

Procrastination does not necessarily stem from laziness or disorganization. Sometimes, we put off important tasks to cope with negative emotions associated with their outcomes–perfectly understandable but highly undesirable when it comes to complex college applications and strict deadlines. Amy and Mike invited education consultant Michelle McAnane…

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664. TESTING GAMEPLAN FOR THE CLASS OF 2027 34:04

3M ago34:04

34:04

When tests change, so should the conventional wisdom about timelines and options. How will the Enhanced ACT factor into your admissions exam plans? Amy and Mike invited educator Brian Eufinger to review a testing gameplan for the HS class of 2027. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the main issues for students in the high…

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The hazards of pigeon-holing GRE questions 15:00

3M ago15:00

15:00

Common GRE advice is to try and diagnose what type of question you're facing, but are there downsides to this approach? Erfun Guela is the founder of GRE Compass, authored a GRE prep book with over 100,000 sales, and has 15 years of GRE and GMAT tutoring experience. In this episode, Erfun shares the risk you take when you diagnose GRE question type…

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663. ADMISSIONS NOTES FOR THE HS GRADUATING CLASS OF 2026 29:12

3M ago29:12

29:12

Every year, new calculations and complications impact the college application process. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski to return to the show with admissions notes for the HS graduating class of 2026. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Is the enrollment cliff real, and what does it mean for the C…

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662. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS FOR THE STUDENT ATHLETE 29:30

4M ago29:30

29:30

The path for high school athletes seeking to play at the next level becomes more uncertain every year. The increasing complexity of college sports recruitment is matched only by the uncertainty of every other part of the application process. Amy and Mike invited college advisor Barb Smith to share answers about college admissions for the student at…

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661. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: VEGA AI 18:16

4M ago18:16

18:16

AI-first data-driven platform to build, deploy, analyze, and personalize any course. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind VEGA AI? How does VEGA AI work? Who currently uses VEGA AI? What kinds of outcomes do users experience? What should someone curious about VEGA AI know about it? ABOUT VEGA AI VEGA AI lets…

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How to evaluate grad school faculty and research opportunities 23:35

4M ago23:35

23:35

Your graduate school experience can be heavily dependent on the faculty you work with. But how can you tell what it will be like? Dr. Don Martin has been a Dean of Admissions at Columbia, University of Chicago Booth, and Northwestern, and is the author of the book Grad School Road Map - and he's overseen the admission of tens of thousands of studen…

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660. HOW ARE POLITICAL CHANGES SHAPING HIGHER ED? 26:26

4M ago26:26

26:26

The walls of academia have always seemed distant and distinct from the corridors of political power. But even the ivory tower isn't safe during periods of dramatic societal change. Amy and Mike invited educator Dominique Padurano to explore how political changes are shaping higher education. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What…

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ACT FLEX Course 14:10

4M ago14:10

14:10

The ACT changed—and so did we. Following our deep dive into the new ACT format (catch that episode if you missed it!), we're excited to unveil something revolutionary: the ACT FLEX Course, designed specifically for students who need maximum results with maximum flexibility. In this episode, join hosts Caleb and Jill as they walk through GSP's innov…

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Changes to the ACT 33:37

4M ago33:37

33:37

The ACT just underwent its most significant transformation in decades, and the changes are game-changing for college-bound students. With July 12th marking the last chance to take the old format, it's time to understand what's coming this September. The new ACT isn't just shorter—it's smarter. With more time per question and the ability to skip sci…

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659. HOW MUCH AI IS JUST RIGHT IN THE COLLEGE ESSAY? 27:47

4M ago27:47

27:47

Smart college applicants know not to let artificial intelligence agents write their entire personal statement but might shudder at the idea of ignoring these tools entirely. How much is too much? Amy and Mike invited educator Razi Hecker to explore how much AI is just right in the college essay. What are five things you will learn in this episode? …

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658. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: June 2025 26:52

4M ago26:52

26:52

The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. …

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A quick summary of all things MBA in 2025 27:52

4M ago27:52

27:52

What's new in the MBA world in 2025? Mateo Chang is an independent MBA admissions consultant with 20 years of experience and over 600 students helped. In this episode, Mateo shares his top things you need to know about MBA programs in 2025, including how they are affecting career outcomes, new types of MBA programs, fellowships and financial aid, a…

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657. DOES IT MATTER IF YOU TAKE CALCULUS IN HIGH SCHOOL? 30:22

4M ago30:22

30:22

If you're applying as a STEM major or looking at selective colleges, there's no question that you should consider taking advanced or accelerated math courses at the secondary level. The question instead revolves around which course to take. Amy and Mike invited researcher Adam Tyner to review whether taking calculus in high school is absolutely nec…

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656. HOW TO PLAN A GAP YEAR 25:23

5M ago25:23

25:23

Most students matriculate directly from high school to college. But what if you're not like most students? Amy and Mike invited education consultant Julia Rogers to explore how to plan a gap year. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Is there a typical profile of "who" takes a gap year? What are the biggest benefits of taking a gap …

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655. TEST PREP PROFILE: Kristen LefebvreÂ 16:37

5M ago16:37

16:37

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Kristen Lefebvre, the National Director of Education at StudyPoint, an educational services company that supports students across the U.S. on their journey to college by providing one-on-one academic and test prep tutor…

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654. TEST PREP PROFILE: Allen Tsao 17:18

5M ago17:18

17:18

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Allen Tsao, who started out as an Electrical Engineer (BS at UC Berkeley, and MS at Stanford University), and worked as a full-time engineer for 11 years before switching to tutoring full-time. He loves helping students…

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Is an MBA still worth it in 2025? 48:00

5M ago48:00

48:00

Should you believe the recent doom and gloom articles about MBAs? Petia Whitmore is the founder of MyMBAPath, which she started after the was the Dean of Admissions at Babson College and managing director of TheMBATour. In this episode, Petia shares her thoughts on whether MBAs are still worth it, including career outcomes and job prospects in toda…

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653. TEST PREP PROFILE: Margaret Duden 16:00

5M ago16:00

16:00

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Margaret Duden, Founder of Twin Cities Test Prep Tutor, is a full-time test prep and writing tutor who specializes in helping highly motivated students hone their writing skills, achieve their score goals on the ACT and…

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652. TEST PREP PROFILE: Ren Abraham 17:01

5M ago17:01

17:01

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Ren Abraham, the founder of Telos Tutors, a test prep and academic tutoring company serving students in the Philadelphia suburbs and beyond. With nearly two decades of teaching experience across both the humanities and …

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651. GAME PLAN FOR THE ENHANCED ACT 46:47

5M ago46:47

46:47

The unfolding changes to the ACT take effect everywhere in September. Are you ready? Let two nationally recognized experts in education–your hosts of the Tests and the Rest podcast–help you understand both the ACT enhancements and how students should navigate them. This free Game Plan for the Enhanced ACT webinar was presented live as part of the T…

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Evaluating hybrid and online graduate programs, and getting the most out of them 38:38

5M ago38:38

38:38

Hybrid and online graduate degrees are more common than ever, so how do you determine if they're right for you? Dr. Justin Grimes is the founder of Apply To Graduate School and author of a book by the same name. In this episode, Dr. Justin Grimes shares his take on hybrid and online graduate degrees, who they are best for, and how to evaluate a pro…

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650. HOW CAN PAST POOR DECISIONS AFFECT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS? 25:24

5M ago25:24

25:24

To err is human, which makes adolescence a particularly intense expression of the human condition. Yes, we all make mistakes, but some are more glaring and likely to impact acceptance than others. But which ones? Amy and Mike invited student advocates Susan Stone and Kristina Supler to clarify how past poor decisions can affect college admissions. …

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649. AI AND THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS 29:38

6M ago29:38

29:38

In a process with as many steps as choosing, applying to, and being accepted at a target higher education institution, small improvements in efficiency at any point can compound dramatically for both applicants and admissions offices. Amy and Mike invited ed tech entrepreneur Sam Bernstein to explore the current state of AI and the college admissio…

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648. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: May 2025 26:25

6M ago26:25

26:25

The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and educati…