Who writes our guides
Guides on CollegesCompete are published under the byline "CollegesCompete Editorial Team". We cover two subjects: test prep (the SAT, ACT, PSAT, AP exams, math competitions such as the AMC and AIME, and graduate admissions tests such as the MCAT, GMAT and GRE) and college and graduate school admissions.
Where our facts come from
We start from primary sources: the organizations that write and score the tests, and the colleges that set their own admissions rules. That means the College Board for the SAT, PSAT and AP exams, ACT, Inc. for the ACT, the test makers' own pages for graduate admissions tests, colleges' admissions pages for requirements and deadlines, and U.S. Department of Education data (College Scorecard and IPEDS) when a guide discusses cost or outcomes.
Our standard is that scores, requirements, fees and dates come from official sources. When a guide gives advice, such as how to plan a study schedule, it is presented as guidance, not as an official rule.
Keeping guides current
Test formats, deadlines and testing policies change. We update guides when they do, and we merge or remove guides that overlap with another guide or no longer meet these standards.
What we don't do
We don't promise score increases or admissions results; good preparation helps, but nobody can guarantee an outcome. We're not affiliated with the College Board or ACT, Inc. AP, SAT and PSAT are trademarks of the College Board; ACT is a trademark of ACT, Inc. We're not a college, we don't make admissions decisions, and we don't give legal, tax or financial advice.
How we make money
Our guides are free to read. We may earn money when you ask to hear from schools: some schools, or their marketing partners, pay us for those introductions. Schools shown are not owned or operated by CollegesCompete, and payments never change our test prep or admissions content.
Corrections
Spot an error? Tell us through our contact page. We check every report and fix confirmed mistakes. You can read more about us on our About page.