Admissions and entrance tests
The SAT, SSAT and ISEE, private school admissions and planning for competitive university applications.
- How to Prepare for the Digital SAT: A Study Plan for Private School Students A step-by-step Digital SAT study plan for private school and advanced-program students, with score targets, a grade-by-grade timeline and common mistakes.
- IB vs AP: Which Gives Your Child a Better Shot at Top Universities? How top US and Canadian universities weigh the IB Diploma against AP courses, which students suit each path, and a side-by-side comparison table.
- SSAT Prep Timeline: When Private School Families Should Start A grade-by-grade SSAT prep timeline for private school families, with competitive scores, hours of prep needed and what effective preparation involves.
- How to Prepare for the ISEE: A Complete Guide for Private School Applicants What the ISEE tests, the stanine scores top private schools want, and a month-by-month plan for preparing every section.
- Starting University Admissions Prep: A Roadmap for Private School Families When to begin university admissions prep at each stage of high school: IB course choices, SAT/ACT timing, extracurriculars, and Grades 11 and 12.
- SSAT Prep: What It Covers and How to Build a Plan That Works A 16-week SSAT study plan for private school applicants, with percentile targets, section-by-section tips and how the SSAT compares with the ISEE.
- Preparing Your Child for Private School Admissions: A Parent’s Guide A stage-by-stage guide to private school admissions in Canada and the US: when to start, what schools look for, SSAT and ISEE prep, and interviews.
- A Grade-by-Grade Timeline for University Admissions Prep A grade-by-grade university admissions timeline for IB, AP and private school families, with US, UK and Canadian application dates compared.
- ISEE vs SSAT: Choosing the Right Private School Entrance Exam How the ISEE and SSAT differ in format, scoring and school acceptance, and how to decide which entrance exam suits your child.
- How Top Universities Read IB and AP Results in 2026 What admissions offices at US, Canadian and UK universities look for in IB and AP results in 2026, with typical scores and credit policies.
- How to Prepare for the SSAT: A Complete Guide for Private School Applicants How long SSAT preparation takes, what scores selective private schools look for, and how to prepare for the Verbal, Quantitative and Reading sections.
- The Digital SAT in 2026: A Parent's Guide for Competitive University Applicants How the Digital SAT works in 2026, the scores competitive universities expect, and a prep timeline for IB and AP students aiming at selective schools.
- Why Top Universities Are Bringing Back SAT and ACT Requirements Which universities require the SAT or ACT for 2026-2027, why the test-optional era is ending, and what it means for Canadian and US applicants.
- When to Start University Admissions Prep for Ivy League and Top Canadian Schools The best grade to start university admissions prep, with a plan for Grades 8 to 12 aimed at the Ivy League, Oxbridge and top Canadian programs.
- ISEE Prep for Parents: What to Know About the Private School Entrance Exam A parent's guide to ISEE prep: test structure, the stanine scores top independent schools expect, when to start, and strategies for each section.
- How to Get Into Engineering at Waterloo, U of T, and Top Canadian Universities Typical offer averages, the Waterloo AIF, U of T's supplementary application and a year-by-year timeline for competitive Canadian engineering admissions.
- Writing a Strong University Application Essay for Ivy League and Top Canadian Schools What admissions officers want from an application essay, Common App vs supplemental essays, a drafting timeline, and how to avoid a generic essay.
- Building a Strong University Application Starting in Grade 10 What to decide in grade 10 about courses, extracurriculars and SAT or ACT timing so your university application is competitive by grade 12.
- When to Start SSAT Prep: A Timeline for Private School Admissions A 4 to 6 month SSAT study timeline, the percentile scores top private schools expect, and how to decide between tutoring and self-study.
- How to Choose the Right Private School for Your Child What to weigh when choosing a private school: fit, academics, culture and support systems, plus answers on timing, cost and your child's voice.