Test Prep+

Aimee Urdiales
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Courses
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Test Prep+ Podcast, the podcast that helps students and parents on their test prep journey! Join us on a dynamic journey through the world of standardized testing, where we unravel the mysteries of the ACT, SAT, and PSAT exams. From insider tips and expert strategies to breakdown complex concepts, this podcast series is your go-to resource for conquering these pivotal tests with confidence. Whether you're a student aiming for top scores or a parent navigating the test prep landscape, tune in for engaging discussions, actionable advice, and inspiring success stories.

  1. 60: Why Refine, Not Relearn, Wins in the Final Stretch

    2d ago

    60: Why Refine, Not Relearn, Wins in the Final Stretch

    Just finished the July ACT and already Googling new prep books? Stop. Here's the thing — that instinct to "start over" and relearn everything before September is the single most common mistake Test Preppers make in this exact window, and it's costing you points, not earning them. In this episode, Aimee Urdiales breaks down why relearning feels productive but almost never is. Most students aren't missing points because of a knowledge gap — they're missing points because of four or five specific, fixable habits: a comma rule you keep getting wrong, a pacing issue on Reading, second-guessing Math problems you actually know how to solve. Relearning treats a precision problem like a knowledge problem, and it burns the one resource you can't get back: time. You'll hear the story of Jonathon, a student who came out of a spring ACT with a 24, panicked, bought two new prep books, and binged six hours of "ACT Math Tricks" videos — only to retest cold at the exact same score. Once he stopped relearning and started refining two specific comma rules and one Reading habit, his next practice score jumped to a 28. In two weeks. Aimee walks through the exact four-step refining method: build an error log, identify your real four or five weak spots, drill those specific skills instead of reviewing whole sections, and retest frequently on just those targets — not the full exam. She also covers how to tell a genuine content gap from a habit (there's a simple gut-check test), what to do if your score barely moved or even dropped, and why this eight-week window between test dates is the highest-leverage stretch in your entire prep timeline. Plus: details on ACT Bootcamp Live, running July 28–30 (6:30–8:30 PM CST), built specifically around drilling the habits actually costing you points — not re-teaching the ACT from scratch. Save your spot at upreptestprep.net/bootcamp. Use code PLUS60 to get $50 off your bootcamp! Other resources mentioned in this episode: Kaplan's Total Prep Book: https://amzn.to/4wBoLFu ACT Big Red Book: https://amzn.to/3R9Tryz ACT Tutoring (Virtual)--https://upreptestprep-site-1ee6.thinkific.com/products/live_events/act-virtual-tutoring ACT Personalized Course--an ACT prep course designed specifically for you--https://upreptestprep-site-1ee6.thinkific.com/courses/act-personalized-course ACT Masterclass: Your personalized course plus virtual tutoring each week--https://upreptestprep.net/act-masterclass If you're prepping for the Enhanced ACT and stuck at the same score across multiple test dates, this episode is your plan for the next eight weeks. Topics covered: ACT score improvement, Enhanced ACT prep strategy, ACT error log method, ACT test anxiety and pacing, ACT English comma rules, ACT Math careless errors, ACT Reading pacing, ACT Bootcamp Live, refine don't relearn philosophy

    42 min
  2. 59: You Just Finished Junior Year--Here's What to Do in the Next 30 Days

    2d ago

    59: You Just Finished Junior Year--Here's What to Do in the Next 30 Days

    You just finished junior year — and the next 30 days matter more than most rising seniors realize. In this episode of the Test Prep+ Podcast, ACT coach Aimee Urdiales breaks down exactly what to do between now and your fall ACT test date so you're not scrambling in August. Aimee walks you through five concrete steps: giving yourself a strategic reset, knowing your ACT score gap, locking in your fall test date before registration fills up, building a real summer prep plan (not a vague intention), and starting before you feel ready. Whether you're a rising senior trying to figure out your next move or a parent wondering how to support your student this summer, this episode gives you a clear, no-fluff roadmap. Topics covered: ACT prep for rising seniors, how to improve your ACT score over the summer, when to retake the ACT, how to plan for the September and October ACT, Enhanced ACT prep strategy, summer test prep planning, ACT score gaps and target scores, and how to build a summer study schedule that actually works. ACT Bootcamp Live starts May 27th — enroll at https://upreptestprep.net/bootcamp

    32 min
  3. 58: How to Support Your Kid Through Testing Season Without Becoming the Enemy

    Apr 18

    58: How to Support Your Kid Through Testing Season Without Becoming the Enemy

    You want to help your kid through testing season. So you ask how studying is going, mention the test date at dinner, maybe send a few articles about college admissions. All of it comes from love — and almost none of it is landing the way you intend. In this episode, Aimee breaks down exactly why well-meaning parent support can quietly work against your student's performance — and what to do instead. You'll learn: -The Pressure Trap: why external parental pressure actually undermines a student's ability to perform on test day -What students say they really need from their parents during testing season (it's not what most parents are doing) -A practical communication playbook — specific phrases to retire and what to say instead -How to be genuinely helpful without hovering, checking in, or becoming the enemy -The one concrete thing you can do right now that makes more difference than any amount of nagging This is Part 2 of the Testing Season Mini-Series. Part 1 (Episode 57) was for the students. This one is for you — though your teen will probably want to share it with you. Resources mentioned in this episode: -ACT Bootcamp Live kicks off April 22nd — three live Zoom sessions covering English, Math, and Reading with an ACT-certified instructor. If you want your student walking into testing season with a real strategy, this is it. Details at https://upreptestprep.net/bootcamp -ACT Last Minute Checklist--this free downloadable checklist gives you everything to remember in those last few days before the test. Download yours for free right here: https://u-prep-test-prep.myflodesk.com/c230rj2lra

    25 min
  4. 57: How to Walk Into Any Standardized Test Without Losing Your Mind (for Students)

    Apr 7

    57: How to Walk Into Any Standardized Test Without Losing Your Mind (for Students)

    Testing season is here — and if you've been prepping for weeks but still feel like you're not ready, this episode is exactly what you need to hear. In this first episode of the Testing Season Mini-Series, Aimee breaks down why "ready" doesn't mean perfect, and what it actually takes to walk into a standardized test with confidence and a real game plan. You'll learn: -Why the students who score highest aren't the ones who studied the most — they're the ones who studied smarter -The Refine-Don't-Learn Rule: why the weeks before your test are for sharpening, not cramming -The three biggest mental traps students fall into on test day (and exactly how to beat each one) -A test-day playbook — from packing your bag the night before to what to do when you hit a question that stops you cold -Why leaving even one bubble blank on the ACT or any standardized test is leaving points on the table Students: This episode gives you a practical, no-panic framework for walking in prepared — regardless of where your practice scores are right now. Parents: You'll want to listen too. Episode 58 is coming for you next week. Resources: ACT Cram It! Course ($67)--check it out here https://upreptestprep.net/act-cram ACT Bootcamp Live--next ACT Bootcamp Live is at the end of April! Sign up here! https://upreptestprep.net/bootcamp

    25 min
  5. 56: The Final Two Weeks – What Actually Matters Now for the ACT

    Feb 2

    56: The Final Two Weeks – What Actually Matters Now for the ACT

    Are you two weeks away from your ACT test date and not sure what to do—or what to stop doing? In this episode of the Test Prep+ Podcast, host Aimee Urdiales shares a focused, no-fluff guide to maximizing your final 14 days before test day. You’ll learn: ✅ The #1 mindset shift that separates calm, confident test-takers from overwhelmed ones ✅ A week-by-week plan (14 to 1 day out) that includes how to practice, what to review, and what to skip ✅ The most common mistakes students make in the final stretch—and how to avoid them ✅ Practical tips for parents on how to support (not stress out) their student ✅ When to ease up and how to prioritize rest and test-day logistics Plus, discover how the ACT Cram It! Course can give you a structured 7-day refresher in English, Math, and Reading—perfectly timed for last-minute prep. Click here for more info: https://upreptestprep.net/act-cram 🎯 Whether you’ve been prepping for months or you're just starting now, this episode will help you walk into the test center sharper, calmer, and ready. 📌 Mentioned Resources: ACT Cram It! Course – 7-day targeted prep course for the New Enhanced ACT https://upreptestprep.net/act-cram ACT Bootcamp Live – Special offer: $50 off + free diagnostic through Feb 14. Use the code LOVE50 at checkout to get $50 off! https://upreptestprep.net/bootcamp ACT Official Test Prep Guide for 2025-2026: https://amzn.to/46eMMY6 ACT Diagnostic Testing: https://upreptestprep-site-1ee6.thinkific.com/courses/act-diagnostic-testing FREE ACT Last-Minute Checklist: https://u-prep-test-prep.myflodesk.com/c230rj2lra Listen now, and get your final two weeks dialed in. You’ve got this!

    25 min
  6. 55: The 8-Week ACT Strategy: Your February 14th Game Plan

    Jan 7

    55: The 8-Week ACT Strategy: Your February 14th Game Plan

    Registered for the February 14th ACT? You have exactly eight weeks to prepare—and that's either enough time to significantly improve your score or just enough time to waste if you don't have a strategy. In this episode, Aimee Urdiales breaks down exactly what to do week-by-week from now through test day. You'll learn: • Why eight weeks is the sweet spot for meaningful score improvement (and why cramming doesn't work with the Enhanced ACT) • The Week 1-2 diagnostic and foundation phase that determines everything else • How to identify your highest-leverage weak areas instead of trying to review everything • The exact pacing for Weeks 3-4 skill building and Weeks 5-6 test-taking refinement • Why Week 8 should be a taper, not a panic—and what to do instead • The test day prep that actually matters (and what's just noise) Parents: Get specific scripts for supporting your student without creating pressure, plus the logistics checklist you need to handle. Students: Get a realistic, actionable plan that respects your time and focuses on what actually moves scores. Whether you're aiming for a 2-point improvement or a 6-point jump, this episode gives you the roadmap. Eight weeks starts now. Resources: • ACT Bootcamp Live (via zoom) starts January 18th; sign up by Jan. 12th to receive a free ACT diagnostic test and prep planning session. Spots are limited. Check it out at https://upreptestprep.net/bootcamp • ACT Diagnostic Test—take an ACT Diagnostic test, let me grade and create your study plan for you. Check it out here: https://upreptestprep-site-1ee6.thinkific.com/courses/act-diagnostic-testing • My favorite ACT resources— https://upreptestprep.net/my-favorite-links • Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get free resources: https://u-prep-test-prep.myflodesk.com/freebie-signup

    42 min
  7. 54: How to Use Your January Wisely--The Month That Makes or Breaks Your ACT Score

    12/21/2025

    54: How to Use Your January Wisely--The Month That Makes or Breaks Your ACT Score

    If you're testing on February 14th, listen up. January isn't just another month—it's THE month that determines whether you walk into that ACT confident or scrambling. In this episode, we're breaking down exactly how to use your January strategically so you don't waste the most critical 5-6 weeks before test day. Most students completely blow this window. Don't be one of them. What You'll Learn: -Why winter break studying probably won't happen (and why that's okay) -The 3 Pillars of January Prep: Focus, Practice, and Mental Game -How to identify your highest-value targets instead of trying to fix everything -Why the Enhanced ACT's tighter scoring curve makes January even more critical -Smart practice strategies that actually improve scores (versus just taking test after test) -How to train your mental game so you don't freeze on test day -What to do RIGHT NOW before winter break starts For Parents: We've got a whole section on how to support your student through January without nagging them into resentment. Because let's be real—pressure doesn't work, but structure does. Ready to make January count? Join us for the ACT Bootcamp LIVE - three virtual sessions starting January 18th covering English, Math, and Reading strategies that actually move scores. Get 6 hours of expert instruction, a custom workbook, and a clear plan for those final weeks before February 14th. Only $249 (includes free diagnostic test + free 1-hour planning session) Register: upreptestprep.net/bootcamp Use "XMAS25" for an additional $15 off the bootcamp! Resources mentioned in this episode: ACT Bootcamp Live--https://upreptestprep.net/bootcamp (use "XMAS 25" for an additional $15 off) ACT Resource books: https://upreptestprep.net/my-favorite-links ACT Diagnostic Test: https://upreptestprep-site-1ee6.thinkific.com/courses/act-diagnostic-testing Time to stop stressing and start preparing strategically. Let's do this, Test Preppers!

    33 min
  8. 53: Should You Study Over Winter Break for the ACT? The Real Answer

    12/08/2025

    53: Should You Study Over Winter Break for the ACT? The Real Answer

    It's December. Some of you are taking the ACT this weekend. Some of you are staring down a February test date. And everyone—students and parents—is asking the same question: Should I study over winter break? Here's the truth: Most students get this wrong. They either burn themselves out with four-hour study marathons, or they take two full weeks off and lose all their momentum. Both approaches tank your score. In this episode, we're giving you the real answer—and it's going to depend on where you are in your testing journey. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why December test-takers need actual recovery time (and what happens if you don't take it) • The "Sweet Spot Study Plan" for February test-takers—45-60 minutes a day that maintains momentum without burnout • What to study each day during break (with a practical daily schedule by section) • The one practice test you should take mid-break (and when to take it) • What parents should—and absolutely shouldn't—say about studying over break • The January Reset Strategy to come back strong when school starts Plus: Aimee shares the story of two students who got winter break completely wrong—one burned out from overstudy, one lost momentum from understudy—and what you can learn from their mistakes. Whether you're recovering from the December ACT or prepping for February, this episode will help you use winter break strategically without sacrificing your mental health or your vacation. Want help with your ACT prep? Join Aimee's ACT Bootcamp Live—three intensive virtual sessions (Jan 18, Jan 25, Feb. 1) covering English, Math, and Reading strategies. Get expert instruction, a custom workbook, free diagnostic test, and a personal planning session. Register at https://upreptestprep.net/bootcamp. About Test Prep+: Hosted by ACT-certified instructor Aimee Urdiales, Test Prep+ gives students and parents the strategies, mindset, and real talk you need to succeed on the ACT and SAT—without the stress. Resources mentioned in this episode: ACT Bootcamp Live--use code BF25 for $50 discount, plus get free ACT Diagnostic Test with personalized study plan

    44 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Test Prep+ Podcast, the podcast that helps students and parents on their test prep journey! Join us on a dynamic journey through the world of standardized testing, where we unravel the mysteries of the ACT, SAT, and PSAT exams. From insider tips and expert strategies to breakdown complex concepts, this podcast series is your go-to resource for conquering these pivotal tests with confidence. Whether you're a student aiming for top scores or a parent navigating the test prep landscape, tune in for engaging discussions, actionable advice, and inspiring success stories.

Information

  • Creator
    Aimee Urdiales
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Show Website
    Test Prep+