As anyone who has ever taken a standardized test knows, the last step in preparing for the test is to sharpen your No. 2 pencil. That may not be enough, however, for those thinking about taking college entrance exams. Planning and preparation for the ACT/SAT should begin now for rising seniors. Here are some topics to consider as you establish your test-taking strategies.

“The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” starts off with a recipe for grade-A comedy. The cast includes names such as Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Alan Arkin, James Gandolfini, and Jim Carrey. The director is Don Scardino of “30 Rock” while Jonathan M. Goldstein and John Francis of “Horrible Bosses” penned the screenplay. The premise regarding rivaling magicians offers endless comedic possibilities. So how is it that the final product is just mediocre?

‘The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” starts off with a recipe for grade-A comedy. The cast includes names such as Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Alan Arkin, James Gandolfini and Jim Carrey. The director is Don Scardino of “30 Rock,” while Jonathan M. Goldstein and John Francis of “Horrible Bosses” penned the screenplay. The premise regarding rivaling magicians offers endless comedic possibilities. So how is it that the final product is just mediocre? It’s probably because the audience has to be constantly caught off guard in order for a magic show or comedy to succeed. In “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,” the audience can pretty much predict everything that’s going to happen. This subtracts the elements of surprise and humor from the equation.

A spider crawls up the leg of 18-year-old India Stoker (Mia Wasikowska) early in Park Chan-wook's English-language debut, "Stoker," and she regards it passively, intrigued.

The share of tax dollars that actually wind up in Arizona classrooms slid again last year, to the lowest level in the 12 years the state has been monitoring.

The Spectral Artists will host their 32nd annual art show celebrating the talent of local artists.

The SAT and ACT are the main tests colleges use to determine if a student is “worthy” for admission into their school. These tests can be pretty scary if you don’t know what to expect.

The good, the bad, the kitschy. A “seasonal sweater” is one way to start a conversation at a holiday function.

A desire to recycle, save money and add that personal, imaginative touch is what entices many crafty people to create what easily can be bought. This time of year, that includes crafting a lunch sack.

Glynis Abapo knew just what she wanted her dream wedding cake to be: simple. Three or four tiers. A rich, white confection with white peonies and peony petals cascading down the middle.

Age: 69

This year, four candidates for the Kyrene School District Governing Board each face tight rivalry, as they compete for three available seats on the board.

Colt Sample, a student at Kyrene Altadeña Middle School, recently built a sensory room to help students with Autism or on the spectrum.

You may be among the thousands of Arizona parents who bought pencils, notebooks, and backpacks last month to help your kids get ready for that first day of school. But with all the supply checklists, did you remember to check the grade for your child’s school?

Arizona schools are being forced to implement new standards for English and math this year while still waiting for financial help from the state officials who are promoting them.

Arizona schools are being forced to implement new standards for English and math this year while still waiting for financial help from the state officials who are promoting them.

Arizona schools are being forced to implement new standards for English and math this year while still waiting for financial help from the state officials who are promoting them.

Arizona schools are being forced to implement new standards for English and math this year while still waiting for financial help from the state officials who are promoting them.

It can be nerve-wracking to take these tests, so follows are the top 10 SAT and ACT test-taking tips:

It can be nerve-wracking to take these tests, so follows are the top 10 SAT and ACT test-taking tips:

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack.

Bank of America is partnering with the local nonprofit Back-to-School Clothing Drive to help Valley students prepare for the 2012-13 school year by collecting new or unopened school supplies at more than 100 banking centers in metropolitan Phoenix through Aug. 3.

First American Title and The Exchange Club of Tempe are hosting its second ‘Stuff the Bus’ Back to School Drive benefiting the Kyrene Foundation.