Episode 328 | Dan Marlin | Galin Education | Part 2 | The EdisonOS Podcast

Episode 328 | Dan Marlin | Galin Education | Part 2 | The EdisonOS Podcast

In this episode, Dan, Test Prep Director at Galin Education, breaks down why the PSAT is low stakes, low risk, and often misunderstood, with most students simply not knowing what it is or what it can offer rather than misunderstanding it outright. He explains the score ranges that signal real National Merit potential, around 28 to 29 and above on the ACT or 1350 and higher on the SAT, and why prepping for the PSAT looks almost identical to SAT prep given how closely aligned the two tests have become. He discusses how the section adaptive format works in practice, why getting students into the harder second module is the real key to a top score, and shares his honest take on the new digital ACT, including why he still recommends paper and pencil over computer for students who have the choice, and what the ACT still needs to catch up to where the SAT's digital platform already stands.

Episode 327 | Rhea Wanchoo | M&W Education | Part 2 | The EdisonOS Podcast

In this episode, Rhea Wanchoo, co-founder of M&W Education, shares how her background in academic psychology shaped a company built at the intersection of test prep, college admissions, and student confidence. Drawing from her experience working with students through high school and into the college transition, Rhea explains why effort alone is never enough and why the biggest gap she sees is not hard work but the absence of structure, clear feedback, and a personalized system. She discusses how the computer adaptive format of the digital PSAT triggers a different psychological reaction than the old paper based test, why high GPA students still struggle on test day due to anxiety and poor simulation of real conditions, and shares why she considers the overwhelmed student the hardest to help, not the underprepared one, because stress blocks execution even when the ability is fully there.

Episode 326 | Michael Scheller | Astute Academics | Part 2 | The EdisonOS Podcast

In this episode, Michael Scheller, an experienced test prep coach, shares his direct and no-nonsense perspective on PSAT and AP preparation, explaining why he believes prepping specifically for the PSAT is a waste of resources and why strong SAT prep naturally covers it. Drawing from tens of thousands of hours working with students across New Jersey and Connecticut, Michael breaks down how cutoff scores, state testing requirements, and AP placement policies vary dramatically by district and why knowing your school is the single most important rule. He discusses the dangers of overloading on AP courses, sharing a real student story where jumping from one AP to five led to a downward spiral that was only reversed by scaling back, and warns families against blindly following advice from social media, reminding listeners that what works in one state can be completely irrelevant in a highly competitive market like New Jersey or Massachusetts.

Episode 325 | Charles (CJ) Palma Jr | CJ101 Tutoring | Part 2 | The EdisonOS Podcast

In this episode, CJ Palma, founder of CJ101 Tutoring, shares how his unique background in marine science, computer science, and psychology shapes his approach to teaching AP Environmental Science, and how growing up as a second generation American informs the empathy driven strategies he brings to test prep. Drawing from his own academic and entrepreneurial journey, CJ explains why building resilience in students matters just as much as the score itself. He discusses common misconceptions students have about the digital and adaptive PSAT, including how to handle the emotional reaction to a tougher second module, the careless calculator errors he sees most often, and why he believes consistent quality study time matters more than cramming, while also reminding students that what they take away from this process goes far beyond the test score.

Episode 324 | Philip Bates | UWorld | Part 2 | The EdisonOS Podcast

In this episode, Philip Bates, who leads college readiness at UWorld, reveals how the digital and adaptive shift in the PSAT and AP exams is reshaping test prep and what it will take for these exams to stay relevant in a test optional world. Drawing from his work with school districts nationwide, Philip explains why teaching content alone isn't enough, students also need to be taught executive function skills like how to study, write effective essays, and use tools such as the embedded Desmos calculator. He discusses the importance of using PSAT and AP data to find curriculum gaps rather than just piling on more practice questions, and shares why successful rollout of resources like UWorld depends on building teacher buy in early, training school leaders the spring before launch, and being ready to fix problems quickly when something doesn't go smoothly.