After-School Program is open. Daily after-school care and academic support for K-8. Reserve a spot

Blackmon Tutoring

Home / Blog

Tips for students and parents.

Test prep planning, score guides, and the questions families ask us most, written by the tutors who answer them every week.

Latest A student comparing SAT and ACT practice tests
Test Prep

ACT vs. SAT 2026: Which Test Is Right for Your Teen?

Neither test is universally better. Here's how the SAT and ACT actually differ in 2026, how to decide which fits your teen, and what Texas families should know.

November 3, 2026 · Blackmon Tutoring

Read the article →
⚲
A parent and student checking off a test-prep countdown checklist
SAT Prep

The Parent's Checklist: Everything to Do 30 Days Before the SAT or ACT

A day-by-day countdown for the 30 days before test day, from the final diagnostic to what to do in the car on the way to the test center.

October 27, 2026

Read the article →
A tutor encouraging a student during a one-on-one session
Parenting

Why Academic Tutoring Changes More Than Just Grades

Tutoring isn't just for students who are struggling. See the three types of students who benefit most, and why the real impact often goes beyond the report card.

October 20, 2026

Read the article →
A student taking the digital SAT on a tablet
SAT Prep

The Digital SAT in 2026: Everything Parents Need to Know

The SAT is now shorter, adaptive, and taken on a laptop or tablet. Here's what changed, how scoring works, and how to prepare your child for the current format.

October 13, 2026

Read the article →
A parent researching SAT prep program options for their child
SAT Prep

How to Choose SAT Prep Classes for Your Child: A Parent's Practical Guide

The SAT changed in 2024; a lot of prep programs didn't. Here's how to evaluate SAT prep options on real effectiveness, with seven questions to ask before enrolling.

October 6, 2026

Read the article →
A tutor helping a student work through a math problem
Subjects

Math Tutoring: How to Help Your Child Improve in Math

Math gaps compound rather than resolve on their own. Here's how to spot the warning signs by grade, what to do at home, and when it's time to bring in a tutor.

September 29, 2026

Read the article →
A parent and teen discussing whether to retake the ACT
ACT Prep

Should Your Teen Retake the ACT? A Parent's Decision Guide

Retaking the ACT without changing the prep only moves the needle slightly. Here's a 4-question framework to decide whether a retake, and a real change in approach, makes sense.

September 22, 2026

Read the article →
A student comparing their SAT score against national averages
SAT Prep

Average SAT Score in 2026: What You Need to Know

The national average SAT score is around 1010-1020. See how it breaks down by section, grade, and state, and what counts as a good score for your family's goals.

September 15, 2026

Read the article →
A parent and student reviewing an ACT improvement plan
ACT Prep

How to Improve Your Child's ACT Score: A Parent's Action Plan

An 8-step action plan for improving an ACT score, from understanding the starting point to choosing the right prep format and building a realistic timeline.

September 8, 2026

Read the article →
A student submitting a college application online
College Admissions

What Is Rolling Admission? A Complete Guide for Students and Parents

Rolling admission means a college reviews applications continuously, rather than on a single deadline. Here's how it affects your timeline, aid, and application strategy.

September 1, 2026

Read the article →
A parent and student comparing SAT scores to college requirements
SAT Prep

What Is a Good SAT Score? By College, State, and Grade (2026)

A good SAT score depends on your target school. See national averages, percentile bands, and competitive SAT ranges for dozens of colleges, from state flagships to the Ivy League.

August 25, 2026

Read the article →
A student working through ACT math practice problems with a calculator
ACT Prep

ACT Math Prep Guide: What's Tested and How to Improve

ACT Math is 45 questions in 50 minutes with no formula sheet provided. See the content breakdown, pacing strategy, and realistic score-improvement timelines.

August 18, 2026

Read the article →
A side-by-side SAT and ACT score conversion chart
Test Prep

SAT to ACT Score Conversion Chart (2026)

Convert SAT scores to ACT equivalents and back with this 2026 concordance table. See why conversion isn't the same as prediction, and how to decide which test to take.

August 11, 2026

Read the article →
A student planning their SAT testing timeline on a calendar
SAT Prep

When Should Your Child Take the SAT? A Complete Timing Guide

Spring of junior year is usually the strategic sweet spot for the SAT. See grade-by-grade timing advice, the 2026-2027 test dates, and how superscoring affects strategy.

August 4, 2026

Read the article →
A student comparing their ACT score to national averages
ACT Prep

Average ACT Score: What's Good in 2026?

The national average ACT composite is around 19.2. See the full percentile breakdown, Ivy League ACT ranges, and how scores have shifted over the past five years.

July 28, 2026

Read the article →
A student researching Harvard admissions requirements
College Admissions

Average SAT Score for Harvard: What Does It Actually Take?

Harvard's average SAT score is 1540, with a middle-50% range of 1500-1580. Here's the section breakdown, acceptance rate, and what else matters beyond the score.

July 21, 2026

Read the article →
A parent and student discussing ACT score goals
ACT Prep

What Is a Good ACT Score? A Parent's Complete Guide (2026)

A good ACT score depends on your target colleges. See the national average, percentile breakdown, and score ranges for selective universities, with guidance for every grade level.

July 14, 2026

Read the article →
A clock next to an ACT practice test booklet
ACT Prep

How Long Is the ACT Test in 2026?

The ACT takes 2 hours 55 minutes without Writing, or 3 hours 35 minutes with it. See the full section-by-section timing breakdown and extended time rules.

July 7, 2026

Read the article →
A student working through SAT math practice problems
SAT Prep

SAT Math Section Guide (2026): What's Tested and How to Improve

SAT Math is 50% of your composite score. See the four content domains tested, the formulas provided, and realistic score-improvement expectations by starting point.

June 30, 2026

Read the article →
A student tracking SAT score progress over several months
SAT Prep

How to Raise Your SAT Score by 200 Points: A Real Prep Roadmap

A 200-point SAT gain is realistic with the right timeline. Here's the four-phase roadmap, from diagnostic to refinement, that makes a big score jump achievable.

June 23, 2026

Read the article →
A student balancing academics and extracurricular activities
College Admissions

What Does It Mean to Be a Well-Rounded Student?

Colleges don't want a long activity list, they want genuine depth. Here's what 'well-rounded' actually means in admissions, and how to build that profile grade by grade.

June 16, 2026

Read the article →
A student and tutor reviewing a grade report together
Academic Success

How to Raise Your GPA in High School: A Grade-by-Grade Strategy

Raising a GPA in high school is about targeted fixes, not generic effort. Here's a grade-by-grade and subject-by-subject strategy, plus how parents can help.

June 9, 2026

Read the article →
A parent helping a student register for the ACT online
ACT Prep

How to Register for the ACT: A Step-by-Step Parent's Guide

Registering for the ACT takes about 20-40 minutes online. Here's exactly what you need, what it costs, and how to build a prep timeline around your registration deadline.

June 2, 2026

Read the article →
A student researching Ivy League admissions requirements
College Admissions

Ivy League SAT Scores: What It Takes at Each of the 8 Schools

SAT scores for Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and every other Ivy League school, plus why several Ivies reinstated testing requirements and how GPA factors in alongside the score.

May 26, 2026

Read the article →
A student researching University of Michigan admissions data
College Admissions

SAT Score for University of Michigan: What It Takes to Get In

University of Michigan's average SAT score is 1470, with a competitive range of 1430-1510. See the section breakdown, acceptance rate, and how MSU and WMU compare.

May 19, 2026

Read the article →
A student planning their AP course schedule with a counselor
College Admissions

How Many AP Classes Should You Take? A Grade-by-Grade Guide

Quality beats quantity with AP classes. See how many to take by grade level, what top colleges actually expect, and when AP coursework can hurt more than it helps.

May 12, 2026

Read the article →
A calendar marked with upcoming ACT test dates
ACT Prep

ACT Test Dates 2026-2027: Full Schedule and Registration Guide

See every ACT test date through 2027, registration fees, deadlines, and how to choose the right date based on your child's college application timeline.

May 5, 2026

Read the article →
A clock and SAT practice test on a student's desk
SAT Prep

How Long Is the SAT? A Complete Timing Breakdown for 2026

The digital SAT takes 2 hours 14 minutes, split between Reading & Writing and Math. See the module-by-module breakdown, extended time rules, and how to use timing to prep smarter.

April 28, 2026

Read the article →
Kids engaged in a structured summer day camp activity
Parenting

Summer Day Camp vs. Staying Home: What Working Parents Really Need to Know

Comparing summer camp to staying home isn't camp vs. free, it's camp vs. the real cost of alternative supervision. Here's the honest cost and learning-loss comparison.

April 21, 2026

Read the article →
A calendar marked with upcoming SAT test dates
SAT Prep

SAT Test Dates 2026-2027: Full Schedule, Deadlines, and How to Choose

See every SAT test date through 2027, registration deadlines, fees, and how to pick the right date based on your child's grade and college application timeline.

April 14, 2026

Read the article →
A parent and student reviewing ACT prep program options
ACT Prep

How Much Does ACT Prep Cost? A 2026 Pricing Breakdown

ACT prep ranges from free self-study to $2,500 full tutoring programs. Here's what each option actually costs, what you get for it, and how to decide what's worth paying for.

April 7, 2026

Read the article →
A student researching Boston University admissions requirements
College Admissions

Boston University SAT Scores: What It Actually Takes to Get In

Boston University's average SAT score is 1460, with a competitive range of 1360-1530. Here's the section breakdown, acceptance rate, and how scores vary by school.

March 31, 2026

Read the article →
A Florida student reviewing scholarship requirements with a tutor
Scholarships

SAT Score for Bright Futures Scholarship: FAS and FMS Requirements Explained

Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship requires a 1290 SAT for the top tier (FAS) or 1170 for the mid tier (FMS), plus a GPA and service-hour minimum. Here's the full breakdown.

March 24, 2026

Read the article →
A student checking their PSAT score report online
SAT Prep

PSAT Score Range: What a Good Score Looks Like and How National Merit Works

The PSAT scores from 320 to 1520. See what counts as a good score by grade, how the National Merit Selection Index works, and what your child's score predicts for the SAT.

March 17, 2026

Read the article →
A student reviewing SAT formulas the week before test day
SAT Prep

Last-Minute SAT Tips: What to Do in the Final Days Before the Test

Can you still improve your SAT score in the final week? Yes, with the right strategy. Here's exactly what to review, what to skip, and what to do the night before.

March 10, 2026

Read the article →
A tutor reviewing an SAT practice test with a frustrated student
SAT Prep

Why Your Teen's SAT Score Isn't Improving (And How to Fix It)

If your teen's SAT score has stalled, it's usually one of six fixable causes, not a ceiling. Here's how to diagnose the real problem and break through the plateau.

March 3, 2026

Read the article →
A high school student reviewing a college acceptance letter
ACT Prep

ACT Score Percentiles Guide (2026): What Your Score Really Means

See the full 2026 ACT score-to-percentile table, what counts as a competitive score for top universities, and how much a retake typically moves the needle.

February 10, 2026

Read the article →
A student practicing timed ACT questions on a laptop
ACT Prep

ACT Prep Games: Do They Actually Raise Your Score?

ACT prep games can build speed and familiarity, but they rarely close a real score gap on their own. Here's which games help each section, and when to move past them.

February 3, 2026

Read the article →
A student writing a study shortcut in a notebook
Study Skills

Mnemonic Devices: What They Are and How to Use Them in Math and Science

A mnemonic device is a memory shortcut that turns a long list into something easy to recall. See real examples for math and science, and how to build your own.

January 27, 2026

Read the article →
A tutor reviewing a report card and study plan with a student
Academic Success

How to Get a 4.0 GPA: A Practical, Habit-Based Guide

A 4.0 GPA is built from daily habits, not raw talent. Here's exactly what to change in high school and college to get there, and how to recover if you're starting behind.

January 20, 2026

Read the article →

No posts in this category yet. New articles are added every month.

Page 1 of 1. New articles are added every month.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Everything families ask us before their first session.

How does the free consultation work?

We'll ask about your student's goals, current grade level, and timeline, then recommend a program and tutor match. There's no obligation.

Are sessions in-person or online?

We offer both in-person sessions across the Dallas area and live online sessions, depending on what works best for your family.

How is my student matched with a tutor?

We pair students with a tutor based on subject expertise, teaching style, and schedule fit, then adjust if it's not the right match.

What subjects and grade levels do you cover?

We cover K-12 subject tutoring plus SAT, ACT, ISEE, STAAR, and TSI test prep programs.

Free consultation

Tell us about your student.

We'll follow up within one business day.

No obligation. We reply within 1 business day.