Brian McElroy's Tutoring Blog
Why the TTP (Target Test Prep) GMAT Verbal component is OverratedPosted 2024-09-16 The Target Test Prep online self-study / subscription program is legendary for Quant, but its new Verbal component is not all it's cracked up to be. Keep Reading |
The 1600 Podcast, Episode 1: Why it DOES make sense for some high-achieving students to take start taking the SAT in 9th or 10th gradePosted 2021-07-11 Pushing back against the "conventional wisdom" that students shouldn't worry about—or begin taking—the SAT until the summer before their junior (11th-grade) years in high school. Keep Reading |
The 5151 Podcast, Episode 4: Decoding (and Leveraging!) the GMAT's Adaptive Scoring AlgorithmPosted 2021-07-11 Brian explains the wacky, adaptive scoring algorithm on the GMAT, where questions at the beginning matter more to your total aka composite score than do questions at the end—especially on Quant, which is heavily front-loaded / lopsided. Keep Reading |
The 5151 Podcast, Episode 2: Why GMAT OG Explanations are so AwfulPosted 2021-07-11 You can't trust GMAT Official Guide (OG) explanations, even though the book is the best source of realistic practice questions. Here's why. Keep Reading |
The 5151 Podcast, Episode 1: Quant difficulty on the GMAT online vs. the test-center GMATPosted 2021-07-11 Brian addresses (and confirms) the widespread rumor that the GMAT online Quant section is wordier and more challenging than its test-center counterpart. Keep Reading |
McElroy Tutoring Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates, Changes and AnnouncementsPosted 2022-06-27 Important updates regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and its effects on the test prep / admissions landscape. Keep Reading |
The QAS (Question and Answer Service) for the SAT, and the TIR (Test Information Release) for the ACT: What are they, and why do they matter?Posted 2024-02-06 Breaking down the important details of the SAT's QAS (Question and Answer Service) and the ACT's TIR (Test Information Release). Keep Reading |
LSAT Action Plan: How to Study and Prepare for the Law School Admission TestPosted 2025-03-11 A 5-Step Plan to prepare any student for the LSAT. Keep Reading |
An Exhaustive List of all 102 (and counting!) Real, Official LSAT PrepTests from LSAC--including paper tests on Amazon, free PDF downloads, LSAT India tests, and even Kindle versions.Posted 2025-02-22 An epic, comprehensive list of links to every version of every official LSAT PrepTest that can be found for free or purchased online. Keep Reading |
My Top 11 SAT Prep Resources, Ranked.Posted 2022-05-13 I'm a Harvard Grad, SAT/ACT perfect scorer, and professional SAT test-prep tutor since 2002. Below are my top 11 personal recommendations for SAT prep practice tests, strategy and learning books, online learning programs, videos, and the like : Keep Reading |