--- title: College Admissions News and ACT / SAT Strategy | Mark Skoskiewicz (2) description: "Mark Skoskiewicz holds a B.S. in Business Administration with a Major in Finance from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, (he received additional minors in Philosophy and History). At IU, Mark was an undergraduate economics instructor teaching supplemental small group sessions for the department’s introductory economics course. During his junior and senior years, he was a private economics, finance, and accounting tutor. After Indiana, Mark spent 8 years working for Marakon Associates before creating MyGuru in 2009 while earning his MBA at Northwestern Kellogg to make it easier for parents and students to find high quality yet affordable tutors. While Mark wants MyGuru to always be known as a source for excellent tutors, we also aim to be a thought leader on how to improve academic performance through shifts in mindset, well-defined study plans, improved study habits, and even stress reduction strategies. Mark believes these ideas are a powerful, critical complement to working with an expert private tutor. Mark currently shares insights, advice, and information about how to improve academic performance in MyGuru’s improving academic performance blog and in an eBook Plan, Prepare, Perform: A Personalized Approach to Test Preparation. (2)" --- # COllege Admissions News and ACT / SAT Strategy Stay current with the latest undergraduate college admissions news and proven ACT and Digital SAT strategies. Browse by All ACT ACT/SAT sat prep ACT/SAT study skills college tips college advice sat tutoring ACT prep sat tutors college student College Admissions High School Test Taking SAT college education college questions study skills ACT test SAT study plan college freshman advice SAT test College Applications SAT online tutoring college entrance college timeline ACT overview SAT math digital sat sat online studying for the SATs undergraduate student common questions ACT study plan ACT-Math practice SAT study help SAT study tips college tips for studying for the SATs ACT Science ACT math Reading Comprehension SAT practice tests SAT self-study admissions essays applying to college college admissions process college tuition sat reading test taking strategies ACT concepts ACT study help ACT tutoring AP tutoring Choosing a College Digital ACT SAT reading comprehension SAT writing act online act reading ap classes ap test prep college admissions essay cost of sat tutoring math skills sat help sat tutor cost sat tutor hourly rate studying for the ACT ACT english COVID sat Campus bound College Rankings GMAT Managing Stress Online Reputation Management PSAT SAT classes SAT redesign Standardized exams Study plans Uncategorized Writing Section act coronavirus admissions data chemistry chemistry subject test college ROI college athletics college coach college essay writing advice college essays college freshman questions college prep college recruiting college resume collegebound admissions cost of college desmos extracurriculars improve academic performance interview preparation logs in ACT-Math math new student FAQs process of elimination sat chemistry test standardized tests study abroad study tips studying for standardized exams submitting test scores test anxiety test optional test prep strategies tips for studying for the ACT writing an essay This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ## Posts by Mark Skoskiewicz: [sat tutoring](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/sat-tutoring) [SAT](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/sat) [sat prep](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/sat-prep) [SAT online tutoring](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/sat-online-tutoring) [sat online](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/sat-online) [digital sat](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/digital-sat) This year, [College Board](https://www.collegeboard.org/)—the organization responsible for designing and administering the SAT—has made several massive changes to the format of the test. While the SAT has always improved and refined the exam, this year’s changes are going to change the ways high school students all over the world prep for the standardized exam. If you’re planning to apply to college in the near future, then you’ll want to make sure you’re fully prepared for the new SAT. [ACT](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/act) [ACT overview](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/act-overview) [Digital ACT](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/digital-act) Since 1959, the ACT has helped high school students demonstrate college readiness and qualify for scholarships. But in February 2024, ACT (which is also the name of the organization that designs and administers the exam) launched its biggest change in years: offering a digital version of the ACT as an optional alternative to the classic pencil and paper exam format. [sat tutoring](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/sat-tutoring) [ACT](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/act) [submitting test scores](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/submitting-test-scores) [test optional](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/test-optional)  If you’re planning to apply to college in the near-future, you’re probably thinking a lot about the SAT and/or the ACT, the two standardized tests colleges have been using to make admissions decisions for generations. And yet, for this current generation of students, the college admissions landscape has a new feature: the ability to apply test-optional. More and more colleges and universities are offering students the option of not submitting either SAT or ACT scores as part of their admissions materials. [sat tutoring](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/sat-tutoring) [ACT](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/act) [studying for the SATs](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/studying-for-the-sats) [tips for studying for the ACT](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/tips-for-studying-for-the-act) Should I take the ACT or the SAT? This is one of the most common questions students have when they begin to consider the college application process. Getting a high score on the ACT or SAT can be the difference between getting admitted to your preferred college or university or getting rejected. While certain institutions have decided to become test-optional, great scores on these standardized tests remain highly appreciated by admissions officers around the United States and abroad. In fact, even at test optional universities and colleges, a high ACT or SAT score is still one of the most important drivers of admissions decisions. [sat tutoring](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/sat-tutoring) [ACT concepts](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/act-concepts) [SAT test](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/sat-test) [ACT/SAT study skills](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/topic/actsat-study-skills) Preparing for the ACT or SAT can seem daunting, but remember, these exams are your chance to improve the likelihood of admission to your dream college. In fact, if your GPA isn’t as high as it could be, this could be the chance you have at giving yourself an edge in the admissions process. While many colleges are going test optional, a strong ACT score can only help you show off your academic prowess and readiness to thrive in at the university level. Though the ACT can be challenging, and perhaps you’ve scored less-than-ideally on a practice test, utilizing an ACT tutor can noticeably improve your score. An in-person or online ACT tutor can really kick-start your ACT prep process, providing you with the ACT study plan you need to be effective and efficient when you self-study for the ACT. After all, for every hour you spend with an ACT or SAT tutor, you should spend three hours self-studying. ### Follow this blog