TOP PICKS | 23 TOOLS

Apps and Websites for Test-Prep and Studying

Whether it's the SAT, ACT, AP, or GED -- or even just an old fashioned test or quiz -- exams can induce anxiety in both students and teachers. While there's no love lost for them, tests are a reality. Students need help tackling them effectively and confidently, and teachers need help getting students prepared, especially for studying at home. These great apps and websites for test-prep and studying take some of the pain out of drill-and-kill, giving students the targeted practice, reference resources, and study skills they need to conquer high-stakes tests.

Top Picks

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Tools to Prep for Specific Tests

ACT Academy

Personalize and differentiate with expansive multimedia resource library

Bottom line: Whether it's skill-building, test prep, interactive lessons, or games you're after, this extensive site has it all in an easy-to-use platform.

Grades: K–12 Price: Free, Free to try, Paid The site and most resources are free. A premium subscription ($9.95 per month) gives students access to widely used testing program questions and high-quality assessments.

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Membean

Deep, data-driven vocabulary tool challenges learners

Bottom line: Membean has the potential to push students and grow their vocabulary while providing teachers with data they'll love.

Grades: 4–12 Price: Free to try Pricing starts at $6 per student for a large district, but can be as high as $20 per student.

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Albert

Flexible, interactive test-prep practice for high school and beyond

Bottom line: A variety of question types and on-the-spot analytics help teachers individualize test-prep practice.

Grades: 7–12 Price: Free to try, Paid $11-$59 per subject for individuals; $325-$500 for classrooms with 40-100 students; $1,250-$1,750 plus $5 per seat for schools.

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SAT

Trustworthy, practical SAT prep from the makers of the test

Bottom line: Kid will gain confidence as they review practice tests, videos, and SAT advice.

Grades: 8–12 Price: Free, Paid Online practice questions, study tips, and a practice test are available for free on the site. Students can also purchase the "Official SAT Online Course" for $69.95 or choose from several study DVDs and books for $21.99-$31.99.

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SAT Vocab by MindSnacks

Variety is key in charmingly effective SAT vocab app

Bottom line: Upgrading to the full version gets you great games and a thorough word list for SAT vocab prep.

Grades: 8–12 Price: Free, Paid The free version includes one lesson with only 20 SAT prep words. Once unlocked for $4.99, it includes 500 words. The All Language Pass costs $17.99.

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General Prep and Practice Tools

CK-12

Super STEM resource with highly accessible content

Bottom line: Making STEM content accessible to kids with different learning styles, CK-12 could be the key to mastery for some students.

Grades: K–12 Price: Free

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Khan Academy

Missions boost learning with balance of focus and freedom to explore

Bottom line: A solid resource for math and science instruction as well as foundational knowledge in a number of other high school subjects.

Grades: K–12 Price: Free

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NRICH

Untangle robust math problems for all ages; plenty of teaching support

Bottom line: It's an excellent classroom companion that can be implemented quickly with little adjustment and a high probability of success.

Grades: K–12 Price: Free

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A+ Spelling Test

Spelling practice app meets expectations, doesn't exceed them

Bottom line: An option worth considering for students needing to build their spelling skills at home or in the classroom.

Grades: 1–6 Price: Free, Paid $0.99 to unlock full content including sharable lists, list importing, 400 spelling lists, and 6,300 words.

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ExploreLearning Gizmos

Vast array of science and math simulations impresses

Bottom line: This powerful and extensive set of math and science tools puts the learning in students' hands.

Grades: 3–12 Price: Free to try, Paid Free accounts allow access to a rotating collection of free Gizmos, as well as a preview of all Gizmos for up to five minutes a day. School and district licenses available; pricing available upon request.

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Tinycards -- Learn with Fun, Free Flashcards

Gamified flash cards feature great built-in content, spaced repetition

Bottom line: A smart, easy-to-use, and surprisingly fun way to study and review.

Grades: 3–12 Price: Free

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Mathalicious

Toughest palates can't resist appetizing look at real-world math

Bottom line: Easy-to-deliver lessons use real-world topics tweens like.

Grades: 6–12 Price: $320 annual subscription per teacher Sliding scale: $10, $15, or $20 per month -- pay what you can.

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Quizlet

Flexible study aid supports learning at home, at school, and on the go

Bottom line: A quality study tool for learning and memorizing facts; extensions to support higher-level thinking would be a nice addition.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Paid $35.99 per year for Quizlet Teacher, which includes progress tracking, advanced creation options, and more. Purchase two or more teacher subscriptions at a time for 20% discount.

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StudyAce

Flash card app gamifies rote memorization; some cool features

Bottom line: An attractive though potentially spendy way to make studying feel more like a game.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free to try, Paid $4.99–$23.99

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StudySync

Superb ELA/EL resource is a complete package

Bottom line: StudySync continues to thoughtfully grow its already robust platform, offering a complete secondary ELA/EL program that cleverly bridges reading and writing, online and offline work.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free to try A one-year subscription starts at $21.42 per student. The print student reading and writing companion units cost $10.20 per student per year, and the print bundles (including two novels) start at $31.11 per student per year.

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Virtual Nerd

Flip a classroom with these quality video math tutorials

Bottom line: High-quality math and physics tutorials are a great classroom supplement, plus they're aligned to Common Core standards.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Paid

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Brilliant

Challenge top students with self-guided math, science, and CS courses

Bottom line: This learning and review site can be an exciting challenge for passionate students, but may be too much for struggling kids.

Grades: 7–12 Price: Free to try, Paid Limited intro courses are free. Premium subscriptions are $9.99 per month (if billed annually), $24.99 per month (if billed monthly), and $599.99 for a lifetime membership.

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Vocabulary.com

Surprisingly addictive quiz game adapts as students play

Bottom line: Teens can learn new words in a variety of contexts as they play a surprisingly addictive game.

Grades: 7–12 Price: $2.99

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Studytracks - Study Like This

Notes are transformed into hip-hop beats in musical studying app

Bottom line: Studytracks offers an engaging alternative to traditional and sometimes drab forms of studying.

Grades: 8–12 Price: Free to try Some content is free for each subject area, but the rest is priced at $0.99 per subject or $3.99 per month and includes access to playlists and in-app quizzes. Teachers can sign up for a free trial on the website.

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