Fall is on the horizon, which means if you have a high schooler interested in going to college, it’s time to think about entrance exams. But kids can tame their test-taking anxiety! Mike Bergin, founder of Rochester’s Chariot Learning and co-host of the Tests and the Rest podcast has got the SAT and ACT know-how, what, when, where, and why.
DV: Tell us about Chariot Learning.
MB: When I moved to Rochester from the Bronx in 2008, I was working as the Director of Exam Prep for a retail giant, creating their national SAT and ACT programs. But I wanted to see if there was a local market for real expert tutoring. Luckily, greater Rochester represents a community that values education, so Chariot Learning was successful from the beginning. We tutor students across the country for the SAT, PSAT, ACT, GRE, and some academic subjects. We are thrilled to run SAT/ACT Boot Camps in many local school districts and offer more intensive classes online. And here we are, sixteen years later, with a national reputation for excellence!
DV: What are the differences between the PSAT, SAT, and ACT?
MB: The SAT and ACT both test substantially overlapping math, reading, and writing skills. All colleges accept both tests equally, and preparing for one very much prepares you for the other. Every college applicant should try both. That said, the two differ in some important ways.
The SAT score is 50% math, so students stronger in math up to Algebra 2/Trigonometry with a knack for problem solving and strong reading comprehension will likely prefer this test. The massive transition to an all-digital SAT was completed for U.S. students in March 2024.
The ACT score is two-thirds reading and English, so faster readers who can manage large blocks of text and have broad knowledge tend to like this test. It is also in the middle of its most significant revision of its long history. The main changes students will see beginning in September 2025 is a shorter ACT with a bit more time per question. Students will be able to choose a paper or digital exam and whether or not to take the ACT Science section, as that part of the test is now optional (though the college you are applying to may require ACT Science, so the smart play is to take it just in case).
The PSAT is exactly the same timing and structure as the SAT, so taking that test provides an excellent insight into potential SAT performance. The PSAT has no bearing on college admissions, but the test taken in October of eleventh grade serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
DV: What are the best ways to prepare for these exams?
MB: Commit to deliberate practice—meaning intense eff orts to push the boundaries of your ability—using offi cial test material. Couple that with expert coaching that can provide the guidance necessary to build stronger skills, strategies, and test day confidence. Practice, then review, then practice again until you consistently earn your target scores.
DV: In order of importance in your college application package, where do entrance exams fall?
MB: Even in an era of obvious grade inflation, grades still carry the most weight in admissions decisions, especially when a student shows academic rigor, curiosity, and consistency. The levels of importance attached to other elements of the application vary from school to school and by selectivity tier. Among schools that accept 20% or fewer of applicants, test scores are often second in priority. The influence of the college essay is an ongoing source of concern considering how prevalent the use of AI has become at every step of the writing process.
DV: Tell us about your podcast.
MB: Tests and the Rest is about college admissions, testing, education, and learning. It’s been an absolute pleasure to interview experts every week with my hilarious co-host Amy Seeley. We’ve been chasing down the most important stories, strategies, and insights for students, parents, and educators since 2019, and—more than 650 fast and fun episodes later—we’re still going strong. Plus, we’ve recently been ranked as a Top 10 College Admissions podcast.
DV: Any other related words of wisdom?
MB: Reading truly is fundamental. The earlier in life someone develops a habit of reading at least fifteen minutes a day for fun, the smarter, wiser, and happier they are likely to become. If that’s not enough of a draw, they’ll also naturally be prepared to crush the verbal portions of important tests!
Mike Bergin is a writer, gamer, and birder who loves to travel the world. When this husband and father of two is closer to home, he can be found creating a pollinator pathway to his yard in Brighton. Find more of his test prep tips here:
Chariot Learning: chariotlearning.com
Roots2Words: roots2words.com
TestBright: gettestbright.com
Tests and the Rest Substack: tatrweekly.substack.com
Tests and the Rest YouTube: youtube.com/@TestsAndTheRest
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of (585) Kids.
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