The ACT® Test Is A Challenge. Score Higher With Prep.
KD offers personalized prep programs for the ACT® test taught by experienced teachers who are passionate about their craft. Students can choose to attend in-person activities at a nearby campus in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex or virtually anywhere in the U.S. through live-online classes.
Programs for 9th-12th Grade. Fees start at $1,099 but depend on grade level and start date. Payment plans available.
No annual fee. Pay once to prep until high school graduation, if needed.
PERSONALIZED LEARNING OPTIONS FOR BUSY STUDENTS
Flexible
Class Schedules
Choose a schedule that works for you and adjust as needed
Convenient
Learning Options
Choose from Live-Online, On-Demand, or In-Person Activities
Detailed
Progress Reports
Measure results and evaluate areas that need improvement
Advisor Guidance
6 Days Per Week
Full-time staff available
to help support you
TEST PREP PROGRAMS
Complete Program for 9th-12th Grade
What’s included:
- Printed Curriculum Materials (new content each year*)
- Live-Online or In-Person Classes
- 14 Core Lessons (new set each year*)
- Workshops with New Content Weekly
- Practice Tests with Score Reports & Reviews
- Bonus Lessons & Self-Paced Extra Practice
- Online Student Portal Access
- Monthly Student Progress Reports
- Annual, Grade-Specific College Planning Seminars
Time-Tested, Proven Approach
For the last 30+ years, we’ve helped prepare over 82,000 students (and their families) for college admissions tests and beyond. Our proprietary curriculum centers around teaching students to not only better understand test content, but develop and master strategies that help them be a more effective and efficient test taker.
Our programs consist of these main types of activities:
- Lessons – Learn content and hundreds of strategies for the ACT test in 14 core, instructor-led lessons for strategic reading, passage analysis, grammar and usage, algebra, data analysis, and more. These core lessons cover approximately 80 percent of the content that is found on the ACT test. Our experienced instructors use the KD curriculum to coach students to their highest possible ACT scores. Students choose a lesson schedule—in-person or live-online—that works best for them, or our team of advisors can help with recommendations based on the students’ needs.
- Intro Lessons for the ACT Test – Students in 9th grade have access to on-demand Intro Lessons—English/Reading and Math/Science. These two lessons build on the core lessons by introducing basic content and format of the ACT test.
- Bonus Lessons for the ACT Test – 10th-12th grade students have two sets of six additional lessons—English, Math A, Math B, Reading, Science A, and Science B.
- Workshops – Get extra practice, gain confidence, and work toward mastery in instructor-led workshops. Self-scheduled verbal and math workshops are offered weekly with new material introduced each Saturday. Test-week workshops provide additional practice for the question types and pacing used on the ACT test. These sessions are in a “quiz-and-review” format and are offered before each national ACT test date.
- Practice Tests with Reviews – Maximize improvement by taking full-length practice tests and find the answers to missed questions using our detailed and thorough test review process. By analyzing performance, students learn from their mistakes and make adjustments to their testing.
- Extra Practice – With the Complete™ Program, students have access to the KD Student Portal, an online learning platform, which includes additional resources such as targeted practice for more difficult portions of the tests. These resources include self-paced practice activities, ideal for when a student has extra time to prep outside of scheduled activities.

Curriculum Crafted By Experts
Complete Program™ students receive printed curriculum books and materials, written and produced by our in-house curriculum experts. To reflect changes in the current national testing environment, our team provides a new set of curriculum for each year in the program*. These books include everything a student needs to participate in KD activities. Families can choose to pick up curriculum materials at a nearby campus or have them shipped to their door for a fee.
Classes Taught By Degreed Instructors
All of our test prep classes are taught by experienced teachers with no less than a bachelor’s degree or higher level of education. Many of our teachers are current or former instructors/administrators from area school districts and have been with KD for years. We require all instructors to demonstrate a profound knowledge of test content and effective teaching methods before they start leading classroom activities. Our virtual instructors are also well-versed in engaging online classrooms and encouraging participation for all live-online activities.
During activities, our instructors work directly with students to explain complex ideas, work through difficult problems, and respond to questions, helping students learn how to find the correct answers in a timely fashion.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the best prep program for the ACT test?
Your grade level, learning preferences, schedule/availability, and score goals will help you determine which prep program is best for you. Our experienced team of advisors is available to help give recommendations based on such factors.
KD’s signature test prep option is the Complete™ Program for 9th-12th grade. This program gives students access to our proprietary curriculum, flexible class schedules, the KD Student Portal, and numerous activities. With this option, we don’t charge an annual fee: you pay once to prep until high school graduation, if needed.
How can I prepare for the ACT test at home?
Most high school students are very busy with homework and extracurricular activities and may not have the available time to attend in-person prep classes. Luckily, KD provides a wide range of live-online and self-paced prep activities such as lessons, workshops, and practice tests that your student can complete at home using a combination of on-demand and virtual test review processes.
Is ACT test prep worth it?
Results matter, and we are focused on providing the resources and instruction necessary to help students achieve their SAT score goals. KD students typically see a 100-400 point increase in their SAT test scores. Read on to find out how our test prep programs helped students reach their target test scores.
“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping me get the score I needed to receive over $464,000 in scholarships, including two full rides. I started the program the summer going into my junior year. I had an excellent GPA but struggled on standardized tests. Taking the test prep classes throughout junior year and taking practice tests got me more prepared each time I took the test. I achieved my best score the summer going into my senior year. That score allowed me to apply to my top schools as soon as early decision opened. I am so grateful to Karen Dillard and the extra practice and proctored exams! My parents are grateful too—for the small investment they got a great return.” Saadia P. – Class of 2022
“The resources that KD offers have greatly prepared me for the college admissions process. Without KD, I would not have been this prepared and confident… I am a rising senior, and I ended up receiving a 1570 on my SAT® test (third time) and a 35 on my ACT® test (first time). I remember the first ever practice test I took for the SAT test was a 1230 (about 1.5 yrs ago) and the first ever practice test I took for the ACT test was a 31 or 32 (about 6 months ago).” Elise P. – Class of 2022
“I just wanted to say thank you to KD for all the help and support you’ve given over the past couple years! I was able to get the scores I wanted for the PSAT, SAT®, and ACT® tests. The resources were very helpful, and the individualized assistance I received from teachers were what really supported my learning. Special thanks to Ms. Barwick and Mr. Hoffman!” Advika R. – Class of 2022
When should I take the ACT test?
Our goal for all KD students is to finish national testing by the end of the 11th grade, giving students more time for the intensive college admissions process before they begin 12th grade. However, students may need to continue to test into their 12th grade year for a variety of reasons such as higher test scores for scholarship levels, admissions into honors colleges, or highly-competitive degree plans.
KD’s general recommendation for taking the ACT test is during the spring of a student’s 11th grade year. The ACT test contains slightly more advanced math concepts. Taking the test in the spring semester of 11th grade allows students to advance farther through their high school math courses, thus gaining more specific knowledge about what they might see on the test.
Preparation for the test can begin as early as 9th grade, although some high-performing students are ready to begin in 7th or 8th grade.
With the Complete™ Program, there is no annual fee. KD works with students until they achieve their testing goals or until high school graduation.
Can you study for the ACT test by yourself?
Of course, but instructor-led activities in a classroom environment can eliminate stress, teach you effective testing strategies, and may lead to better results. With the Complete Program, we take the guesswork out of test prep. We provide a clear path for students to follow, and students who follow our program and recommendations benefit most from having this level of guidance and structure through the testing process.
How much can I raise my ACT score?
It really does depend on the student and his or her starting point. With consistent practice and guided instruction, our students often see a significant improvement with their scores. Keep in mind that participation is a necessary aspect of our test prep programs. Students who start early and engage in our activities on a regular basis are the ones who garner the best results.
How many hours per day should I study for the ACT test?
Some students dedicate time daily throughout the school year to prepare for tests, while others decide to prepare on the weekends, during summer break, or during extracurricular off-seasons. The bottom line is that the amount of time you will need to set aside to study for the ACT test will depend greatly on your schedule, your score goals, and when you begin.
Our flexible class schedules make it easier to find time to prepare. Can’t find a schedule that works? Schedule a consultation with an advisor to create your own test prep plan.
What is a good ACT score?
A perfect score on the ACT test is a 36. The test consists of four main sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each section is scored from 1-36 and then averaged for the composite score. The good news? You don’t have to be perfect to get into your dream college. Your score goal will depend on where you want to apply to college. The average national score is between 20 and 21. But if you’re dreaming of attending an Ivy League school, you’ll need to score between 32 and 36. Read more about what is considered a good ACT score.
Is one month enough time to prepare for the ACT test?
Most students won’t see a significant score increase if they only spend a few weeks preparing for the ACT test. Waiting until the last minute (or “cramming”) usually creates more anxiety, chaos, and sometimes less-than-desired results. We generally recommend that students begin preparing for tests earlier rather than later. Sometimes it’s a delicate balancing act between starting too early and starting too late. Planning early usually leads to the best results. Our experienced team of advisors can help with specific recommendations for your student.
* It is our hope that most students finish testing by the end of 11th grade; however, students sometimes need to test into the fall of 12th grade for a variety of reasons, such as score goals, admissions into honors colleges, and/or a competitive degree program. In most cases, 12th graders would not go through an additional set of lessons. Instead, we build a unique plan for them based on their individual needs.