Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Welcome to THE college admissions industry podcast! Join Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley as they discuss the latest issues in testing, admissions, learning, and education with leading experts.
Tests and the Rest is perfect for parents, students, counselors, educators, test prep professionals, college consultants, and just about anyone engaged in the college admissions process. You can subscribe to this podcast or stream it online via any podcast app, including iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio.
YOUR HOSTS
Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and Leap.
Between the two of us, expect over 60 years of industry insight, expertise, insider news, and a bit of sarcasm.
- Update frequency
- every 4 days
- Average duration
- 24 minutes
- Episodes
- 673
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
672. From Stage To Test: What Performance Teaches Us About Test Anxiety
All the world’s a stage, which means that performance anxiety can be debilitating in a variety of contexts. What does it take to silence your inner critics and do your best when only your best will d…
671. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: August 2025
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enj…
670. Intentionality On The Road To College
It’s been said that when we set an intention, somehow the world seems to magically come to meet us. Does that apply in college admissions? You'll never find out if you don’t try. Amy and Mike invited…
669. College Essay Secrets
Few writing assignments loom as large or feel as significant as the application essay does to a college-bound teen. But what if the keys to a statement that makes a difference were both simple to und…
668. STRATEGIES FOR THE COMPUTER-BASED ACT
Starting in September 2025, the ACT will be administered nationally both on paper and on digital devices. Should you take the ACT on a computer? If so, what do you need to know in advance? Amy and Mi…
667. THE IMPACT OF DUAL ENROLLMENT
Imagine two models of education, one of which reserves opportunities for college credit for college students and another which allows high schoolers to also earn college credit. Which do you think mo…
666. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: July 2025
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enj…
665. HOW TO MANAGE PROCRASTINATION IN THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Procrastination does not necessarily stem from laziness or disorganization. Sometimes, we put off important tasks to cope with negative emotions associated with their outcomes–perfectly understandabl…
664. TESTING GAMEPLAN FOR THE CLASS OF 2027
When tests change, so should the conventional wisdom about timelines and options. How will the Enhanced ACT factor into your admissions exam plans? Amy and Mike invited educator Brian Eufinger to rev…
663. ADMISSIONS NOTES FOR THE HS GRADUATING CLASS OF 2026
Every year, new calculations and complications impact the college application process. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski to return to the show with admissions notes …
662. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS FOR THE STUDENT ATHLETE
The path for high school athletes seeking to play at the next level becomes more uncertain every year. The increasing complexity of college sports recruitment is matched only by the uncertainty of ev…
661. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: VEGA AI
AI-first data-driven platform to build, deploy, analyze, and personalize any course.
What are five things you will learn in this episode?
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What is the story behind VEGA AI?
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How does VEGA AI work?
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660. HOW ARE POLITICAL CHANGES SHAPING HIGHER ED?
The walls of academia have always seemed distant and distinct from the corridors of political power. But even the ivory tower isn’t safe during periods of dramatic societal change. Amy and Mike invit…
659. HOW MUCH AI IS JUST RIGHT IN THE COLLEGE ESSAY?
Smart college applicants know not to let artificial intelligence agents write their entire personal statement but might shudder at the idea of ignoring these tools entirely. How much is too much? Amy…
658. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: June 2025
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enj…
657. DOES IT MATTER IF YOU TAKE CALCULUS IN HIGH SCHOOL?
If you’re applying as a STEM major or looking at selective colleges, there’s no question that you should consider taking advanced or accelerated math courses at the secondary level. The question inst…
656. HOW TO PLAN A GAP YEAR
Most students matriculate directly from high school to college. But what if you’re not like most students? Amy and Mike invited education consultant Julia Rogers to explore how to plan a gap year.
Wh…
655. TEST PREP PROFILE: Kristen Lefebvre
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry?
MEET OUR GUEST
Meet Kristen Lefebvre, the National Director of Education at StudyPoint,…
654. TEST PREP PROFILE: Allen Tsao
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry?
MEET OUR GUEST
Meet Allen Tsao, who started out as an Electrical Engineer (BS at UC Berk…
653. TEST PREP PROFILE: Margaret Duden
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry?
MEET OUR GUEST
Meet Margaret Duden, Founder of Twin Cities Test Prep Tutor, is a full-ti…