Many colleges are still taking applications for next fall, and it’s never too early for students in any grade to start thinking ahead.
With resources available for free in our E-Library, you can do test prep, get help with your financial aid application, and even look ahead at career planning.
To access the best of what these resources have to offer, make sure to access them through the links in our E-Library or those given directly here.
LearningExpress Library
LearningExpress Library contains a veritable smorgasbord of tools for any kind of learner. When it comes to college prep, this is where you’ll find SAT practice tests (both timed and untimed), skill-building tools, and even some writing and editing ebook guides.
You can find practice tests and free prep ebooks for:
- ACT® Test
- SAT® Test
- PSAT/NMSQT® Test
- AP® Exams
- TOEFL iBT® and IELTS™ Tests
- College Admissions Essay Writing
How to use LearningExpress Library:
Go to LearningExpress Library, then pick the resource you want, and choose “Sign in or Register To Begin”
If you have never used LearningExpress Library before, you'll have to register. This allows you to save your progress on any practice test or tutorial you do. Choose Register.
Choose “Library Card” and enter your card number, then choose “create account” to set up a username and password you will use to access the site.
Gale Presents: Peterson's Test Prep
Peterson’s Test Prep is bursting with information for applying to college and preparing for a career. Not only can you download Peterson’s ebooks for test prep, but even before you reach that point, Peterson's Test Prep offers you some insight into what your study and career interests might be. Depending on where you want to start when it asks, you might get a recommendation of tools to use, or you can click around on your own. Once you’re in, you can use the college and scholarship search, essay-writing guides, and even FAFSA guides. To avoid becoming overwhelmed, think of the kinds of things you might be looking for in college prep. You’ve got a lot of things available to help get your college or career exploration going.
Test prep for the ACT, SAT, and exams that might help you earn college credit for knowledge you already have. Resources include practice tests, study guides, and online courses.
The College Planning Center includes check lists for keeping on top of college prep tests during each year of high school, as well as information about test prep, financial aid, and more.
College and Scholarship Search lets you search for the right match with filters such as location, tuition cost, areas of study, and much more. The database includes distance learning and undergraduate nursing programs.
Petersen’s also features Career Tools to help you explore different possible careers, create a resume, and practice for vocational exams for careers ranging from teaching to medicine to firefighters, and many more.
How to use Peterson's Test Prep:
Go to Peterson's Test Prep and scroll to the bottom of the page to create an account. If you've used it before, click on Log in. If you're new to the site, click on Register, so you can save your progress.
Brainfuse
While most known for daily live tutoring, Brainfuse has lots of other things that could be useful. The most useful for someone preparing for college is the writing lab, where you can submit something that will be reviewed by a real person and returned in a couple days with comments and suggestions. This is a great way to get advice on your college entrance essays. Pretty cool, right? There’s also resume review, skills-building, and space to do digital conferencing. You can even send a question and get some expert help! What more could you need?
Brainfuse has experts ready to help you fill out your FAFSA! Get Live One-on-One FAFSA assistance M-Th from 12-9pm MST. The Federal Application for Federal Student Aid is the form you need to fill out each year to receive financial aid from the federal government for school. Aid available through the FAFSA includes grants, loans, and work-study. The FAFSA assistance is available without signing up for an account just by clicking the Featured Service. Once there, select Live FAFSA Help.
The LEAP Learning Platform will take you through determining which subjects you need to focus in in preparation for college and help design a learning plan for you. It also includes practice tests for the ACT and SAT.
The eParachute feature will guide you through activities to help determine possible career paths.
You’ll be prompted to set up a username and password.
Opposing Viewpoints
This isn’t a particularly college-prep specific resource, but it’s a great place to read up on current events (or even past ones) and get both sides of a story. Say you’re dealing with one of those wily essay prompts that requires you to talk about something happening in the news? You can get a full rundown of the topic all in one spot.
These are just a few of the most helpful places you can go in our E-Library in order to help yourself to a better-prepared college application season. But feel free to wander through and see what else might be useful!
Updated 12/19/2022
