<![CDATA[Beyond the Test]]>Beyond the Test is the podcast from Academic Approach that asks what it actually takes to prepare a young person — not just for a test, but for college, career, and everything that comes after.

Hosted by Academic Approach founder Matthew Pietrafetta, each episode goes deep on the questions that don't fit on a score report: How do young minds really develop? What does human learning look like in an age of AI shortcuts? And is the system we've built to prepare students actually working?

With guests ranging from researchers and school leaders to college counselors and AA alumni, Beyond the Test is a show for parents, educators, and anyone who believes that the most important things a student learns can't be standardized.

]]>https://www.academicapproach.com/Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Fri, 11 Sep 2026 05:15:49 GMTThu, 12 Mar 2026 18:23:02 GMT60Academic Approach<p>Beyond the Test is the podcast from Academic Approach that asks what it actually takes to prepare a young person — not just for a test, but for college, career, and everything that comes after.</p><p>Hosted by Academic Approach founder Matthew Pietrafetta, each episode goes deep on the questions that don't fit on a score report: How do young minds really develop? What does human learning look like in an age of AI shortcuts? And is the system we've built to prepare students actually working?</p><p>With guests ranging from researchers and school leaders to college counselors and AA alumni, Beyond the Test is a show for parents, educators, and anyone who believes that the most important things a student learns can't be standardized.</p>episodicAcademic Approachmarketing@academicapproach.comno<![CDATA[Out of the Dark: CPS's New High School Admissions Test]]>The conversation covers the evolution of high school admissions testing, the complexity of multiple standardized tests, and the impact on academic information and preparation. It also discusses the long-term impact on student growth, the benefits of vertical alignment and transparency, and expectations and collaboration for educators. The upcoming information release from CPS is also highlighted.

Takeaways

  • Evolution of high school admissions testing
  • Complexity of multiple standardized tests

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction of Carla Peterson
  • 01:29 Evolution of High School Admissions Testing
  • 03:08 Options for Selective Enrollment High Schools
  • 04:15 Complexity of Multiple Standardized Tests
  • 05:09 Comparison with College Admissions Testing
  • 06:01 Difficulty Level of New Pre-ACT9 Secure
  • 07:33 Transparency and Visibility of New Test
  • 08:19 Impact on Academic Information and Preparation
  • 09:09 Long-Term Impact on Student Growth
  • 11:11 Pressure on Middle and High Schools
  • 13:39 Immediate Action for Students and Parents
  • 16:08 Benefits of Vertical Alignment and Transparency
  • 21:14 Expectations and Collaboration for Educators
  • 25:15 Long-Term Planning for Students and Parents
  • 28:13 Upcoming Information Release from CPS
]]>889d9f94-b8fa-4857-b447-65dd92d28f0eThu, 10 Sep 2026 17:07:18 GMT<p>The conversation covers the evolution of high school admissions testing, the complexity of multiple standardized tests, and the impact on academic information and preparation. It also discusses the long-term impact on student growth, the benefits of vertical alignment and transparency, and expectations and collaboration for educators. The upcoming information release from CPS is also highlighted.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Evolution of high school admissions testing</li><li>Complexity of multiple standardized tests</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction of Carla Peterson</li><li>01:29 Evolution of High School Admissions Testing</li><li>03:08 Options for Selective Enrollment High Schools</li><li>04:15 Complexity of Multiple Standardized Tests</li><li>05:09 Comparison with College Admissions Testing</li><li>06:01 Difficulty Level of New Pre-ACT9 Secure</li><li>07:33 Transparency and Visibility of New Test</li><li>08:19 Impact on Academic Information and Preparation</li><li>09:09 Long-Term Impact on Student Growth</li><li>11:11 Pressure on Middle and High Schools</li><li>13:39 Immediate Action for Students and Parents</li><li>16:08 Benefits of Vertical Alignment and Transparency</li><li>21:14 Expectations and Collaboration for Educators</li><li>25:15 Long-Term Planning for Students and Parents</li><li>28:13 Upcoming Information Release from CPS</li></ul>no00:27:0112Out of the Dark: CPS's New High School Admissions Testfull<![CDATA[Introducing "Beyond the Test"]]>The conversation covers the evolution of Academic Approach over the past 25 years, the motivation behind starting a test prep company, the impact of mentoring on students, the changing landscape of standardized testing, and the future of test prep and college admissions.

Takeaways

  • Mentoring adolescents is a timeless need
  • Standardized tests provide a nationally normed assessment of college readiness skills
  • Grade inflation and the need for standardized testing as a contextualizing tool
  • The importance of skill-building and its impact on college success

Chapters

  • 00:00 Evolution of Academic Approach
  • 01:13 Motivation Behind Starting a Test Prep Company
  • 02:08 Impact of Mentoring on Students
  • 03:02 Changing Landscape of Standardized Testing
  • 05:09 Future of Test Prep and College Admissions
]]>427901f0-3e65-4625-b81a-a5195d2db646Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:53:20 GMT<p>The conversation covers the evolution of Academic Approach over the past 25 years, the motivation behind starting a test prep company, the impact of mentoring on students, the changing landscape of standardized testing, and the future of test prep and college admissions.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Mentoring adolescents is a timeless need</li><li>Standardized tests provide a nationally normed assessment of college readiness skills</li><li>Grade inflation and the need for standardized testing as a contextualizing tool</li><li>The importance of skill-building and its impact on college success</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Evolution of Academic Approach</li><li>01:13 Motivation Behind Starting a Test Prep Company</li><li>02:08 Impact of Mentoring on Students</li><li>03:02 Changing Landscape of Standardized Testing</li><li>05:09 Future of Test Prep and College Admissions</li></ul>no00:32:0611Introducing "Beyond the Test"full