532. ALL ABOUT DIGITAL SAT MATH
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Release Date: 11/07/2023
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...
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734. COLLEGE ENROLLMENT TRENDS FOR 2026 AND 2027
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
If you’ve been paying attention over the last year, you’ve observed tremendous change, chaos, and uncertainty roiling higher education. Behind the scenes, things are even crazier than they seem, which affects every single applicant. Amy and Mike invited educational consultants Aly Beaumont and Meg Joyce to unpack college enrollment trends for 2026 and 2027. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the big theme for college admissions right now? What two pathways do students need to decide between in selective admissions? How are adverse economic conditions...
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733. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: The Gauntlet
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
The Gauntlet: Harder Questions, Higher Scores What are five things you will learn in this episode? What's the story behind The Gauntlet, and what problem inspired it? How does The Gauntlet solve the challenge of managing prep material and what's actually in the library? How does the new tutor dashboard streamline day-to-day student management? What is The Gauntlet’s pricing model, and how does it alleviate changes in student utilization. For tutors who are already invested in different resources, what makes The Gauntlet worth trying? ABOUT THE GAUNTLET From the very...
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732. STRATEGIZING YOUR TESTING AND ADMISSIONS TIMELINE
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
A great many tasks need to be accomplished successfully in order to secure a seat at a selective college. Luckily, they don’t all need to be done at once, but proper timing makes a world of difference. Amy and Mike invited educator Eric Greenberg to discuss the finer points of strategizing your testing and admissions timeline. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why is it important for students and parents to assess testing plans by the end of 10th grade? By when should students strive to earn their best SAT or ACT scores? What are the dos and don'ts regarding choosing...
info_outlineSince its inception, the SAT has challenged math conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills. What, if anything, has changed on the new digital adaptive test? Amy and Mike invited educator Mike McGibbon to talk all about digital SAT Math
What are five things you will learn in this episode?
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What aspect of the new test will affect preparation and performance the most?
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How much will Desmos and other aspects of the digital delivery system matter?
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How does the digital SAT's math content compare to the current SAT's math content?
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What makes the hard module of the digital SAT so hard?
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How can educators and students use existing resources?
MEET OUR GUEST
Mike McGibbon started tutoring at Kaplan while he was a student at UC Berkeley. After graduating in 2002, he moved to NYC to study music and play the trumpet professionally.
During this time, Mike also worked for several NYC tutoring agencies and eventually transitioned to a full-time tutoring career. He now runs his own solo tutoring practice, focusing on the ACT, SAT, and ISEE. He is also the CEO and co-founder of Mathchops.com, an adaptive math practice tool.
Today, Mike teaches in Westchester County, where he lives with his wife and three kids. He also provides free advice through articles and videos on www.nyctestprepadvice.com and the Mathchops YouTube channel.
Mike previously appeared on this podcast in episode 165 to discuss Differences Between SAT and ACT Math, episode 372 to explain Making Learning Science Work For You, episode 332 for a SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Mathchops, and episode 480 to discuss How Standardization Can Benefit Education.
Mike can be reached at mike@mathchops.com.
LINKS
https://mathchops.substack.com/t/digital-sat
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ABOUT THIS PODCAST
Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.