#PREPPED: The Test Prep Podcast
From TestTakers, this is the #PREPPED Podcast, a podcast dedicated to helping parents and students learn the secrets and strategies of SAT standardized test preparation and college admissions. Hosted by Directors Andrew 'Naka' Nanayakkara and Jeremy Freed, #PREPPED helps reduce stress, answers the most important questions, and guides parents to help their students succeed during this important time in high school. With over 30 years of student success stories, TestTakers provides weekly insight through discussions with counselors and test prep experts in #PREPPED to help students and families succeed most. Preppedpodcast.com
Episodes
38 episodes
SAT YOGA: Breathing And Relaxation Techniques To Ease Test Stress!
In this #PREPPED SPECIAL, Naka is joined by Carolyn Carpentiere of CCYOGA to discuss the added benefits of yoga and breathing techniques when it comes to SAT and ACT preparation. The episode concludes (starting at 18:05) with TWO quick guided p...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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30:16
What is TESTTAKERS? (w/ President & Founder Frank Pomilla)
After 5 Seasons of #PREPPED: The Test Prep Podcast, we finally dive deep into "What is TestTakers?" with our special guest, TestTakers' President, Frank Pomilla, who shares the founding story and inspiration behind this remarkable ...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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35:24
Getting Great Recommendation Letters (w/ Mrs. Nancy Fleming)
In this episode of #PREPPED, Host Andrew 'Naka' Nanayakkara discusses a critical component of the college application process: recommendation letters. Joining Naka is his own high school English teacher, Mrs. Nancy Fleming, voted 'Most Popular ...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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22:06
How To Practice & How To Motivate Students (for the SAT)
Get ready for an invaluable episode of #PREPPED as we take a deep dive into the ultimate guide on PRACTICING for the SATs! In this episode, we'll reveal the top test-taking tips for unlocking your potential and optimizing your performance every...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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20:52
THE FUTURE OF TESTING: THE 2024 DIGITAL SAT (feat. President Frank Pomilla & Director Brian Corridan)
In the Season 5 premiere of #PREPPED: The Test Prep Podcast, Naka welcomes TestTakers President Frank Pomilla and Senior Director Brian Corridan back to the show to discuss the future of the SAT and standardized testing. The College Board is...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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19:17
So You Want To Be Recruited? (w/ Coaches Steve Panzik and TJ Cleveland)
The Season 4 Finale of #Prepped delivers a spectacular interview focusing on College Sports Recruitment – one of the most pursued avenues in admissions.Join Naka, Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach TJ Cleveland of the St. John...
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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32:11
So You Want To Be An Actor? The Theater Arts Episode with Broadway Star Derrick Davis
In this special #PREPPED episode, Naka is joined by Broadway star (and Long Island native) Derrick Davis to discuss the path to becoming an actor and studying theater arts in college. Derrick started his journey studying voice at LIU Post, and ...
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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20:47
So You Want To Do Science Research? (w/ Dr. Serena McCalla of iResearch Corp.)
In this #PREPPED episode, Naka is joined by the 'Godmother of Science Research,' Dr. Serena McCalla (Founder of the iResearch Institute, iResearch Academy, President of the New York State Science and Engineering Fair, Jericho H...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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21:41
Writing Your College Resume (w/ Brendan O'Flaherty of HS2 Academy)
Brendan O'Flaherty returns in this college preparation episode of #PREPPED to help identify key characteristics of effective college resumes. College resumes, serving a different function than professional ones, should be treated as 'living doc...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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24:58
Mental Health Matters: A Discussion On High School Mental Health (w/ Max Benezra of South Shore Counseling)
In this #PREPPED episode, Naka is joined by Max Benezra, the Assistant Director of South Shore Counseling and a psychotherapist with expertise in adolescent mental health, to discuss an obvious yet marginalized topic f...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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19:56
Starting Your College Search (w/ Nandita Gupta of Enlighten Education Consulting)
A must-listen episode for all parents and students!The Founder and CEO of Enlighten Education Consulting, Nandita Gupta, joins Naka in a wonderful discussion about the most important first steps when starting your college search!...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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28:35
College Board's 'SECRET' Test: Earning College Credits Early Using CLEP (w/ David Vise of ModernStates & Freshman Year For Free)
Pulitzer Prize-winner and Executive Director of Modern States, David Vise, joins Naka in a captivating episode discussing how students can take advantage of a lesser-known College Board test that has been around for over 50 years to gain colleg...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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25:43
Director Discussion: The New DIGITAL SAT Announcement!
In this bonus 'Director Discussion' episode, Naka is joined by the TestTakers Directors as they weigh in on one of the biggest headlines of the year so far, the new DIGITAL SAT!Debuting in the USA in early 2024, this new Digital SAT will fi...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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12:00
How To Make GREAT SAT Materials
In this #PREPPED SEASON 4 PREMIERE, Host Andrew "Naka" Nanayakkara is joined by Director Brian Corridan and President of TestTakers Frank Pomilla in a conversation about making not just good but GREAT SAT practice materials. With s...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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17:26
The SAT Diet (feat. Michelle of NutrishMish)
Naka is joined by Michelle of NutrishMish for the Season 3 Finale of #PREPPED! Everyone knows that test preparation includes aggressive study and practice, but a less-explored aspect of test prep is NUTRITION.
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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12:53
When Is Enough...Enough? A Discussion On Expectations and Score Growth
The President of TestTakers, Frank Pomilla, and Director Brian Corridan are back for another informative episode with host Andrew "Naka" Nanayakkara to discuss one of the most difficult aspects of SAT test preparation: when to call it a day<...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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21:37
The College Interview (feat. Brendan O'Flaherty of HS2 Academy)
The interview about college interviewing!Brendan O'Flaherty of HS2 Academy joins Naka to talk all about college interviewing (in addition to an update on what is going on with standardized testing in California). Brendan guides st...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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29:36
The College Essay Episode (feat. Lisa Antinore Duer of Ad Astra***)
In this episode, Naka is joined by Lisa Antinore Duer of Ad Astra*** to discuss the ins and outs of the college essay. Lisa lends her over 24 years of experience as she walks through how students should approach the college essay, including whe...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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24:09
So You Want To Be A Doctor? (feat. Dr. Sahil Mehta of MedSchoolCoach)
The Pre-Med Episode! FREE PRE-MED GUIDEBOOK IN SHOW NOTESNaka is joined by Dr. Sahil Mehta, the founder of MedSchoolCoach, to discuss the process and steps involved in the pre-med journey to becoming a doctor! Discussions a...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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24:20
The Perfect College Candidate (feat. Sasha Chada)
Season 3 continues with a fantastic interview with Sasha Chada, the CEO and Founder of Ivy Scholars. Ivy Scholars is a boutique college candidacy building firm located in Sugar Land, Texas.Naka and Sasha discuss the important aspects ad...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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25:09
The Need For Speed (How to Get Faster on the SAT)
If you're struggling to finish any section on the SAT then this episode is for you! Naka is joined by Site Director Alan Reed and an 'OG' of the SAT Prep World Adam Danger (with over 30 years in the world of test prep) to discuss strategies to ...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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18:54
The Perfect Scorers Podcast: An Interview with 3 Perfect Scorers
In this episode, the SEASON 3 PREMIERE of #PREPPED: The Test Prep Podcast, Naka interviews Jonathan Wu, Aarya Agarwal, and Rhea Rasquinha- 3 Perfect Scoring SAT Students!Jonathan is part of the Manhasset High School Class of 2022 and is ...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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24:10
AVOIDING CARELESS MSITAKES (feat. Peter Baum)
A MUST-LISTEN FOR ALL PARENTS AND SAT STUDENTS!Naka is joined by Peter Baum for the SEASON 2 FINALE of #PREPPED: The Test Prep Podcast! Peter is THE premier SAT tutor in the San Francisco Bay Area and has been working with familie...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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13:56
So You Want An 800 on SAT READING/WRITING?
Directors Brian and Jeremy join Naka in this content-driven episode for students aiming to get that perfect 800 on the SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing. While it is tremendously difficult to get a perfect score on the English portion of t...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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28:17
So You Want An 800 In Math? (feat. Mike of PWN THE SAT)
How do you take an already high SAT math score and make it even higher?Mike McClenathan of PWN Test Prep and the popular book series PWN THE SAT joins Naka to discuss some important concepts and specific advice for high scorers to keep ...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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19:34