735. BEACH READS FOR BETTER SCORES
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Release Date: 06/23/2026
744. HOW TO DEFINE A DREAM SCHOOL
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Young adults should always be encouraged to dream big when imagining their futures. When the time comes to actualize those aspirations, though, practical details matter most. Amy and Mike invited author Jeff Selingo to clarify how to define a dream school. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the "Top 25 or bust" mentality and why do so many families still equate selectivity with quality? Do you need to attend a top-ranked school to get an exceptional college education? How do you define fit, and what specific factors should families consider...
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743. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: July 2026
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
The Tests and the Rest podcast consistently explores 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 education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What have Mike and Amy been up to this month? How did Mike work with ACT recently? What has Amy been philosophizing about? Is a perfect test...
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742. WHY COLLEGE FLASH ISN’T FIT
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
How many bad relationships begin because people prioritize superficial qualities over true virtues? Whether you are looking for a partner or applying to college, your deeper values should inform your decisions. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Ann Cadwallader to explain why college flash isn’t fit. What are five things you will learn in this episode? In terms of both college admissions and dating, what does it mean to say “flash isn’t fit?” Why do students and families get pulled toward what looks impressive when building a college list? How does the idea of...
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741. WHAT IS AN IEC AND WHO NEEDS ONE?
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Most people know–or at least think they know–the role of a school-based counselor. What about all of the professionals in private practice who support families on their admissions journeys and more? Amy and Mike invited IECA CEO Stephanie Simpson to learn what an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) is and who needs one. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What role do Independent Educational Consultants (IECs) play in a student’s academic journey, and how do they How can IECs complement the contributions of school counselors, especially in districts where high...
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740. DECODING STUDENT LOANS
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Paying for college poses serious challenges for most families, but should understanding the rules around borrowing really be one of the hardest parts? Amy and Mike invited financial aid expert Will McGinley to offer guidance into decoding student loans. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why are student loans such an important topic? How much do students borrow on average for their undergraduate degrees? What is the difference between federal DL, PLUS, and Private education loans? Which student loan option is best for most students? When should someone start...
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739. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Desmos SAT Math Course
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Know everything that the SAT Desmos calculator can do for you. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind the Desmos SAT Math Course? How does the Desmos SAT Math Course work? Who should use the Desmos SAT Math Course? What kinds of outcomes does the Desmos SAT Math Course deliver? What should someone curious about the Desmos SAT Math Course know about it? ABOUT THE DESMOS SAT MATH COURSE A complete self-paced video course covering every calculator concept and every practice question — so students walk into the test knowing exactly...
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738.WHAT COLLEGES AREN’T TELLING YOU
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
If you think the massive amount of information colleges expect applicants to absorb is too much, think about the equally essential insights that are left unsaid. Amy and Mike invited ed tech professional Reetu Gupta to dive into what colleges aren’t telling you. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are colleges actually looking for today that they weren't before? Why is “minimum to compete” an important consideration for applicants? What should parents thinking “my kid has great grades, but I'm still worried” know? What are colleges doing behind the...
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737. TAKING A HIGH-STAKES TEST AT HOME
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Much of the stress involved with taking an important exam is related to testing in a proctored environment surrounded by your anxious peers. What happens when you shift to more familiar ground? Amy and Mike invited educator Brian Eufinger to explore the experience and implications of taking a high-stakes test at home. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the technical and logistical requirements of an in-home exam? What security measures prevent widespread cheating? What are the benefits of taking a high-stakes test in your home? What are the downsides of...
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736. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: June 2026
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
The Tests and the Rest podcast consistently focuses 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 education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How was the NTPA National Conference in Chicago? Where did Amy travel, and who planned her trip? How’s Mike’s garden growing? ...
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735. BEACH READS FOR BETTER SCORES
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
According to Henry Ward Beecher, there is a temperate zone in the mind, between luxurious indolence and exacting work; and it is to this region, just between laziness and labor, that summer reading belongs. Teens willing to spend time in this region will benefit from much more than just the sheer pleasure of a good book. Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Marina Yalon to dive into beach reads for better scores. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What's wrong with the "harder is better" reading approach? What's the benefit of contemporary fiction? What kinds of...
info_outlineAccording to Henry Ward Beecher, there is a temperate zone in the mind, between luxurious indolence and exacting work; and it is to this region, just between laziness and labor, that summer reading belongs. Teens willing to spend time in this region will benefit from much more than just the sheer pleasure of a good book. Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Marina Yalon to dive into beach reads for better scores.
What are five things you will learn in this episode?
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What's wrong with the "harder is better" reading approach?
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What's the benefit of contemporary fiction? What kinds of skills can students build from reading contemporary fiction?
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Do beach reads really have SAT vocabulary words?
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What are some book recommendations for summer reads?
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How should parents approach helping teens find the right book?
MEET OUR GUEST
Marina Yalon is the founder of MYPrep, a virtual tutoring company dedicated to taking the stress out of SAT and ACT prep. With deep expertise in both exams and nearly two decades spent coaching students to achieve their goal scores, she brings a highly individualized approach to test prep—meeting each student where they are and building from there. Through sessions, students build test (and life!) confidence. She's the kind of tutor students want to tell their friends about.
Marina loves working with all kinds of learners, and her sessions are as likely to end with a book recommendation as a practice set. An avid reader with a soft spot for plot-twists and unreliable narrators, she's thrilled when a student gives her a new addition to her ever-growing TBR list. Her philosophy: it's all figure-out-able!
Marina previously appeared on this podcast in episode 233 for a Test Prep Profile.
Marina can be reached at https://www.learnwithmyprep.com.
LINKS
RELATED EPISODES
IMPROVING READING SKILLS WITH STRUGGLING TEENS (PART 1)
IMPROVING READING SKILLS WITH STRUGGLING TEENS (PART 2)
ABOUT THIS PODCAST
Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS
Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.