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The SAT or the ACT? How to Select Which Test is Best For Your Teen

Although the SAT and ACT exams are both for college-bound high school students, each test is suited to specific strengths and preferences. Here’s how to know which is the best option.

The ACT is better for Reading and English-inclined students

The ACT has individual Reading and English sections that contain a total of 86 questions, whereas the SAT has 54 questions for one SAT Verbal score. For an English-inclined student, answering more questions in their area of strength will lead to strong ACT Reading and ACT English scores, which can, in turn, boost one’s ACT composite score.

The SAT is better for math-inclined students

The math content on the SAT goes up to Algebra II, and the only trigonometry concept a student must know is “SOH-CAH-TOA” (sines, cosines, and tangents). This differs from the math content on the ACT, which includes higher-level material, such as matrices and logarithms. The trade-off here, however, is that the ACT math questions are more straightforward. A key point to remember is: “Do you know your formulas, and do you know when to apply them?” The SAT math questions, on the other hand, have more “layers”: they are like unlocking a puzzle despite their simple content.

The ACT is better for students who want flexible formats

While the SAT is a digital-only experience, the ACT offers both paper and digital exams for students who want more choice in their exam formats. In addition, the Science and Writing (Essay) sections are optional, so a student taking the first three required sections of the ACT– English, Math, and Reading– will take the same amount of time as students taking the SAT.

What To Do Next

Given these differences between the SAT and the ACT, taking one practice test of each can help you better understand which will be better suited for your child. Both the ACT Education Corp. and the College Board have published full-length exams on their respective websites.

How Jamie the Scholar Instructors Can Support Your Child

Our multi-talented team is seasoned in guiding high school sophomores and juniors through their test prep process. If you decide to take the above-mentioned steps, our instructors can meet with you to help you better understand your child’s results and provide tailored feedback about which test is best to take. Call 888-577-3224 to learn more today.

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Why Most Students Struggle in Math and How to Fix It for Good

At Jamie the Scholar, we’re proud to share this guest post from Dr. Micah Fagan, the founder of Doctor Math Medic, an organization that equips district leaders, educators, and thought leaders to transform the culture around mathematics education and teaching.

The reasons why students struggle in math are often misunderstood.. Many parents and educators assume that a student who struggles in math lacks ability or natural aptitude.

However, this assumption does not align with what is consistently observed in practice. Most students who struggle in mathematics are fully capable of success. The issue is not intelligence, but rather the presence of gaps in foundational understanding that have gone unaddressed over time.

Mathematics is a cumulative subject in which each concept builds upon prior knowledge. When a student does not fully grasp an earlier concept such as fractions, integers, or basic operations, future topics become increasingly difficult to understand. For example, a lack of understanding in fractions can significantly hinder a student’s ability to work with ratios, proportions, and algebraic expressions.

In many traditional classroom settings, instruction continues at a fixed pace regardless of whether mastery has been achieved. As a result, students often carry unresolved gaps forward, which eventually leads to confusion, frustration, and declining performance.

Another contributing factor is the emphasis on procedural fluency without conceptual understanding. Students are frequently taught to follow steps or memorize formulas without fully understanding why those steps work. While this approach may allow students to complete familiar problems, it limits their ability to adapt when presented with new or slightly altered problems. True mathematical proficiency requires both procedural skill and conceptual understanding. When students understand the reasoning behind a process, they are better equipped to apply their knowledge in a variety of contexts.

In addition to academic gaps, a student’s mindset plays a significant role in their success. Repeated struggles in mathematics often lead students to develop negative beliefs about their abilities. Statements such as “I am not good at math” can become internalized and influence behavior. This lack of confidence can result in hesitation, avoidance, and reduced effort. Over time, these patterns reinforce the very difficulties the student is attempting to overcome. Addressing mindset is therefore an essential component of any effective instructional approach.

At Jamie the Scholar, in strategic partnership with Doctor Math Medic, the focus is placed on identifying and addressing the root causes of mathematical difficulty rather than simply treating the symptoms. This partnership combines relationship driven instruction with a structured, diagnostic based framework designed to produce measurable results.

The first step involves a comprehensive diagnostic process to determine where gaps in understanding exist. This process goes beyond current coursework and examines the foundational skills that support it.

Parents frequently observe noticeable improvements within a short period of time. Students demonstrate reduced frustration during homework, increased willingness to attempt challenging problems, and improved performance on assessments. Perhaps most importantly, students begin to articulate their thinking more clearly, indicating a deeper level of understanding. These changes reflect not only academic growth but also the development of confidence and independence.

The ultimate goal of instruction at Jamie the Scholar, supported by the Doctor Math Medic partnership, extends beyond immediate academic performance. The objective is to develop students who are capable of thinking critically, solving problems effectively, and approaching challenges with confidence. These skills are essential not only for success in mathematics but also for future academic and professional pursuits.

Difficulties in mathematics are rarely the result of a lack of ability. They are more often the result of unaddressed gaps, limited conceptual understanding, and diminished confidence. When these factors are addressed through intentional, strategic, and research aligned instruction, students can experience significant and lasting improvement.

How Jamie The Scholar and Doctor Math Medic Can Help Your Student Thrive in Math

Through the combined efforts of Jamie the Scholar and Doctor Math Medic, students are equipped not only to succeed in math but to excel with confidence and clarity.

Would you like to give your student more support in math? Call us today at 888-577-3224 to learn more about whether our approach to math instruction is the right fit for you.

Back to School: What Successful Parents Do Differently

By Dr. Micah Fagan

Let me tell you about a parent I met last spring.

She was exhausted. Her son was struggling in math, and she’d tried everything: flashcards, expensive tutoring centers, late-night homework battles, even bribes.

Nothing worked.

“His teacher says he’s ‘not trying hard enough.’ But I see him. He’s frustrated. He’s ashamed. He told me last week that he’s ‘just not a math person.'”

She paused. I could hear the tears creeping into her voice.

“Where did he get that idea? He’s 11. He hasn’t even finished elementary school. How does he already think he’s broken?”

Here’s the thing: he didn’t come up with that idea on his own.

And the school year hadn’t even started yet.

The Hidden Crisis in Every Back-to-School Plan

We spend so much time worrying about the logistics of back-to-school, the supplies, the schedules, the routines, that we forget the most important question:

What is your child thinking about themselves?

Here’s the data that should stop every parent in their tracks:

Nearly 50% of U.S. adults report feeling anxious about math. Students as young as first grade have already developed a “math self-concept.” By third grade, it’s largely fixed.

Girls and students of color are disproportionately likely to have negative math identities, not because they lack ability, but because they receive different messages about their potential.

Here’s the kicker: when students have a strong academic identity, they are 2.5 times more likely to pursue challenging coursework and high-achievement paths.

Back-to-school season isn’t about backpacks. It’s about beliefs.

What Successful Parents Do Differently

We’ve worked with thousands of families at Jamie The Scholar. And we’ve noticed a pattern: the most successful parents don’t just support their kids. They shift the story their kids tell themselves.

Here’s how.

1. They Start With the Question: “What Worries You?”

Most back-to-school conversations go like this:

“Are you excited for school?” “Yeah, I guess.” “Great! Let’s get supplies.”

That’s not a conversation. That’s a checklist.

Try This Instead:

“What feels exciting about this year?” “What feels a little scary?” “What’s one thing you’re worried about, and one thing we could do to make it less scary?”

Why It Works: Middle schoolers often struggle with emotional and social challenges that impact academics. Keeping the lines of communication open ensures they feel supported.

Pro Tip: Set aside time each week to talk about school, friendships, and life in general. Use active listening: validate their feelings and avoid jumping straight to solutions.

2. They Prioritize Academic Support, Before Crisis Hits

There’s a pattern we see every single year.

September to October: “Let’s give it a few weeks. They’re just adjusting.”

November: “Hmm, that grade is lower than expected. Maybe it’s a fluke?”

December: “Okay, we need help. But it’s the holidays. We’ll figure it out in January.”

January: “Wait, they’re failing. Why didn’t we do something sooner?”

Sound familiar?

At Jamie The Scholar, we’ve worked with students with IEPs, 504s, learning differences, and students who are simply struggling to keep up.

We take time to understand each student’s specific way of processing information, help them identify their strengths, and equip them with strategies that actually fit how they think.

The goal is to build self-knowledge that stays with them long after the tutoring session ends.

Our philosophy: if your child is struggling with schoolwork, consider seeking additional support like tutoring, before they fall behind.

3. They Celebrate Effort, Not Perfection

This one is harder than it sounds.

We live in a world that rewards outcomes, the A, the trophy, the acceptance letter. But those outcomes are built on something less glamorous: the struggle.

Try This Instead:

“I’m really proud of how much time you spent preparing for that test.” “That hard work will help you keep getting better.” “What did you learn from this, even though it didn’t go the way you wanted?”

Why It Works: Focusing on effort over outcomes reduces fear of failure and encourages perseverance.

For middle schoolers: help them reflect on what they learned and how they can improve next time.

4. They Create Stability (But Not Rigidity)

Stability isn’t about strict schedules. It’s about knowing what to expect.

Try This:

Create a consistent routine: A consistent schedule can help ease the transition back to school and provide stability.
Set boundaries: Explaining to your child what their responsibilities are and what is expected of them creates great structure without miscommunications.
Include family time: Having set scheduled family time creates a more positive atmosphere for your child.

Why It Works: Routines create the necessary structure and stability that your child requires so they are attentive during the day at school.

5. They Get Organized, Together

Getting organized is crucial for a successful school year.

Try This:

Sit down together at the start of each week to plan their schedule, including homework, activities, and downtime.
Break assignments into smaller, manageable steps. For example, “Research topic,” “Write outline,” and “Draft introduction” for an essay.
Revisit the plan midweek to adjust as needed.

Why It Works: Collaborative planning empowers your child to take ownership of their schedule while learning a valuable life skill.

What We’re Offering This Year

At Jamie The Scholar, we’re not just tutors. We’re partners: in your child’s education, in your family’s sanity, and in building a better relationship with learning.

We Understand How Kids Learn

We know that the way a student learns is as unique as their fingerprint. That’s why we don’t use one-size-fits-all approaches.

Our tutors have experience with:

Neurodivergent students (ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and more)
Students with IEPs and 504 plans
Students who have lost confidence in their academic abilities
Students who are struggling with a particular subject

Our team includes tutors with lived experience of neurodivergence. That’s not incidental. It means that when your child sits down with one of our coaches, they’re working with someone who has personally navigated the experience of thinking differently.

We Partner With Parents

We know you’re busy. We know you’re tired. And we know you want to help your child, but sometimes you’re not sure how.

That’s where we come in.

We work with you to:

Identify your child’s strengths and challenges
Develop strategies that fit your family’s life
Communicate with your child’s teachers and school
Build a partnership that extends beyond tutoring sessions

The goal isn’t just better grades. It’s a better relationship with learning.

The Bottom Line

Back-to-school season is overwhelming. There’s so much to do, so much to buy, so much to plan.

But here’s the truth: the most important thing you can do for your child isn’t on any supply list.

It’s about how you show up. It’s about the messages you send. It’s about building a foundation of confidence, resilience, and curiosity that will carry them through every grade, every subject, and every challenge.

That’s what we’re offering. That’s what we’ve always offered. And this year, we’re making it easier than ever to get started.

You don’t have to do this alone. We’re here to help.

Ready to support your child’s academic journey? Connect with us at Jamie the Scholar today at 888-577-3224 to schedule a free consultation. Let’s see how we can help your child thrive this year.

High School to College: A Parent’s Guide to Readiness

For many families, the move from high school to college feels like standing between two chapters of life—one closing, the other just beginning. Your student is eager for freedom but may also feel uncertain about what’s ahead. As a parent, your role shifts from managing daily details to guiding from the sidelines. The goal is not to hold on but to help them feel capable of standing on their own..

1. Acknowledge the Emotional Transition

Leaving high school behind can stir up more emotions than most students expect. They’re excited to take the next step, but underneath that excitement often lies anxiety about fitting in, managing new responsibilities, and being far from home

That worry can make even strong students doubt their abilities. A national survey found that 46% of college students felt least prepared for the academic side of college, not because they lacked skills, but because they struggled with confidence and adjustment.

That sense of being “not ready” can show up as stress or self-doubt in the first semester.When parents validate those difficult emotions, rather than rushing to fix them, it helps teens regain that confidence.

Ask what they’re excited or uncertain about, listen without judgment, and remind them that it’s normal to feel both ready and unsure.

That emotional steadiness becomes the groundwork for stronger learning habits later on.

2. Build Life Skills for Independence

Once your student feels emotionally grounded, it becomes easier to focus on the skills they’ll need to succeed in college. The college environment is different from high school in ways that can surprise even strong students. Professors expect more independence, assignments come with fewer reminders, and grades often depend on just a few major projects or exams.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, about 45% of high school graduates enroll directly in four-year colleges and 17% in two-year schools. Every student must adjust to new expectations for time management and accountability. The earlier students start building these habits, the easier that transition becomes.

Gently Guide Habit-Building

This is where parents can make a lasting impact. By offering gentle guidance now, you can help your student build the habits that turn uncertainty into confidence. Start with a few simple areas that prepare them for independence:

Time management: Encourage your student to map out their week, balancing study, rest, and downtime. Tools like Google Calendar or MyHomework can help students visualize their time and stay organized.
Budgeting: Give them the chance to handle their own spending for a month or manage a set allowance.
Self-care: Talk openly about sleep, nutrition, and taking breaks when things feel heavy.
Organization: Let them take ownership of keeping their space tidy and their schedule on track.
Problem-solving: When challenges come up, resist the urge to step in. Instead, guide them through how to find their own solutions.
Support Identification: Help them understand how to recognize when they need extra support and how to ask for it.

For example, a Jamie The Scholar tutor can help students strengthen academic strategies like planning, organization, and workload management while supporting them in their subject areas

Give your student room to stumble now, when the stakes are lower. Each mistake is a rehearsal for independence. These moments of learning, patience, and resilience will shape the foundation they’ll stand on when they head off to college.

3. Guide, Don’t Take Over, the College Application Process

The college application season can be one of the most exciting and stressful times for families. Parents want to help, but it is easy for that support to turn into pressure without meaning to.

This time is less about managing your student’s progress and more about walking beside them as they make big decisions about their future.

Help your student take ownership of the process. Set aside time each week to review progress together, but let them lead the way.

Encourage them to research schools, schedule campus visits, and communicate with admissions offices. Your role is to provide guidance, encouragement, and a calm perspective when the process feels overwhelming.

Example Conversation:
Instead of saying, “Have you finished your applications yet? You are running out of time,” try, “How are you feeling about your applications this week? Is there a part that feels tricky or stressful?”

This gentle shift invites conversation rather than pressure and keeps communication open.

When it comes to essays or interviews, be their sounding board, not their editor. Offer feedback only when asked, and focus on encouragement more than correction. The goal is to help your student find their voice, not to rewrite it for them.

Example Conversation:
Instead of saying, “That essay does not sound like you,” try, “Your story comes through really clearly here. Is there anything you would like to add to make it feel more personal?”

The college process is not just about acceptance letters. It is a training ground for independence. Let your student feel trusted, even when the outcome is uncertain. That trust will matter more than any essay draft or deadline ever.

4. Stay Connected Once College Begins could

When college move-in day finally arrives, the shift can feel just as big for parents as it does for students. After years of daily involvement, it can be hard to step back and let them take the lead. Yet this is exactly what helps your student grow into their independence.

Your role now is to stay present without hovering. Keep communication open by setting a rhythm that works for both of you, such as a weekly call or a regular text check-in.

These small connections remind your student that you are still there while allowing them the space to manage life on their own.

Example Conversation:
Instead of asking, “Are you keeping up with your classes?” try, “What has been your favorite part of this week so far?”

This kind of question invites real conversation and gives your student room to share what matters most.

If your student starts to struggle, remind them that asking for help is a sign of maturity, not failure. Encourage them to reach out to professors, tutoring centers, or academic coaches for support. Continued support can make a significant difference during the first semester when new responsibilities and challenges often feel overwhelming.

A Partnership for the Journey Ahead

The move from high school to college is as much a milestone for parents as it is for students. By offering guidance, space, and belief in your student’s abilities, you’re giving them the foundation to succeed not just in college, but in life.

Whether your student is preparing for applications or adjusting to their first semester, Jamie The Scholar can help them strengthen academic skills, build confidence, and develop lasting independence.

Call us today at 888-577-3224 to learn how our tutors and academic coaches can make the high school-to-college transition smoother for both you and your student.