If you have questions about any of the test prep or college counseling activities you should be doing or when you should be doing them, your absolute best plan of action is to call your home campus and speak with an advisor. You can also visit our current students FAQs to find answers to many of your questions.
KD Student Portal
Current KD students have access to the KD Student Portal. This is where current students can sign up for practice activities such as weekly workshops and begin the test review process for practice tests. The portal also includes extra practice activities, informational videos, and additional guidance and resources for students and parents of our test prep and college counseling programs.
*Are you a KD student but have never accessed the portal? It’s so easy and one of the most important things to do as a student.
To get the most benefit from your program, you will need to complete all the portal activation steps.
Activating the KD Student Portal
- You'll receive an email from us letting you know that we've set up your portal account and asking you to set your password
- Log in using your newly created password, then select the box shown under "My Memberships" - if you don't see a box, contact us
- Select the ENROLL button for every course available to you - new courses may be added from time to time
- Your enrolled courses now appear under "My Courses"
- Need help? Contact us!
KD Test Prep Essentials
Need help with the big picture? Unsure about how lessons, workshops, or practice tests with reviews fit into your overall test prep plan? Want to get the most out of your program activities?
Current Student FAQs
Lessons and Homework
I need to make up a class. What should I do?
When you miss a class you will receive an email with available make up options for that class. Call your campus with your make up selection. Know ahead of time you’ll be missing a class? Call your campus and an advisor can provide make up times for you. All make up lessons are done live online. You will receive a link to the class you missed approximately 24 hours before the lesson begins and again one hour prior.
Can I repeat lessons?
We believe that repeating lessons is not the best use of your time. If you began our Complete Test Prep Program prior to the 11th grade, you will participate in new and unique sets of lessons in each grade level through the 11th grade: a unique set in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. If you have not received the scores you need after taking the national tests in 11th grade, please contact us so we can schedule an evaluation for you. Based on your scores, activities, and goals, we will design a personal plan for you leading up to the 12th grade.
Will I have homework from the lessons?
For extra practice, each lesson contains ~30-45 minutes of homework specific to strategies and concepts in that lesson. Vocabulary practice is also embedded in all the homework found at the end of each verbal lesson. You can find instructor-led videos reviewing the homework through the KD Student Portal.
I’ve finished my 14 lessons. Am I done?
No, and thank you for asking! Your program is not over. For your very best success, find out what should happen next.
Workshops and Vocabulary
When should I start coming to workshops?
Our best recommendation is to start attending workshops as soon as your lessons begin. The workshops are meant to review the concepts and strategies you’re learning in your lessons and to give you more practice until you can achieve mastery with them. You should attend at least (2) two-hour blocks of workshops (four hours) every month until you reach your score goal. That means even during the school year and even during the summer. Practice makes perfect.
Do I need to register for a workshop?
In-person and live online workshops are available at various times each week. You register for your preferred time through the KD Student Portal. A reservation is required at least 48 hours prior to the session. For live online workshops, a link is emailed to you approximately 24 hours before the workshop begins and again one hour prior. You will also register for extra test week and holiday workshops through the portal.
Here’s a video that explains the registration process step-by-step:
I can’t attend the workshop time I originally signed up for. What should I do?
You can cancel a reserved workshop time (live online or in-person) through the KD Student Portal up to 48 hours before the workshop begins and then register for a time that works better for you.
Can I attend a workshop more than once?
We recommend that students attend new workshops weekly to continue to build on what they learned in the initial lessons. (Remember, there is brand new workshop material introduced EVERY Saturday!) We don’t think repeating an in-person or live-online workshop is the best use of your time, so remember to speak up and ask for help! After the workshop is over, you can always ask an advisor for help or call your campus if you have questions.
While you can’t repeat an in-person or live-online workshop, you do have access to extra workshops through the KD Student Portal. Watch a recorded workshop and rewind it as many times as you need to, especially for those concepts that are stumping you a bit.
How often does KD change the workshop material?
New workshop material is introduced each Saturday and that material repeats throughout the week. In other words, don’t sign up for a math workshop on Saturday AND Sunday—it will be the same content. The week before a national test date, the workshop material changes daily Monday-Thursday. We also offer extra workshops during certain times of the year. Practice, practice, practice.
How does the KD curriculum help with vocabulary?
We’re glad you asked! Vocabulary is embedded in both the reading and writing passages of the tests and often makes answer choices tough. Each verbal lesson contains vocabulary practice so you’ll be able to navigate those passages more effectively.
Full-Length Practice Tests with Reviews
When can I take a full-length practice test?
Our recommendation is that after attending Math 3 and Verbal 4, you are ready to begin taking practice tests. (Please remember that you need to review each practice test completely before taking any additional tests!) You have several options for taking a practice test. Watch this short video to learn how to request a practice test.
I've requested a test. Now how do I take it?
Taking a test is easy as long as you’ve activated your KD Student Portal AND requested a test.
For step-by-step instructions, watch this brief explanation.
How do I review my practice tests?
We all learn from our mistakes…that’s what a test review is all about. And it’s where the real magic happens. No one drastically improves their test scores overnight. By learning how to avoid making the same mistakes on future tests, your scores will begin to improve. Then you can move on to the next set of concepts and/or strategies that you need to master.
Watch this explanation of the test review process.
You will find detailed instructions on each of your score report emails and in the KD Student Portal.
Remember: Each practice test must be reviewed completely before you take additional tests.
How often should I take a practice test?
Taking regular practice tests and then following the entire review process for each test is a great way to monitor your progress and to continue the hard work you started in your lessons and workshops. Click on the appropriate grade level below for our recommended practice test schedule. (Specific recommendations depend on a student’s starting point in the program. As usual, call your campus with questions so we can make recommendations that are specific to you!)
Recommended practice test schedule for 9th grade—9th graders have plenty of time. It’s important to balance consistent practice with not overloading a younger student.
Recommended practice test schedule for 10th grade—It’s important for 10th graders to begin building up the endurance needed to take the real national tests.
Recommended practice test schedule for 11th grade— We recommend students be finished with their national testing by the end of the 11th grade, if possible.
Recommended practice test schedule for 12th grade— 12th graders should contact their KD campus to speak with an advisor about a testing plan that’s specific to their goals.
Miscellaneous
Do you offer college counseling services?
As part of the Complete Test Prep Program, we offer grade-specific planning and guidance seminars each year. This seminar is included as part of your Complete Test Prep Program and contains valuable information for families on how best to prepare for the college admissions process. Don’t miss it. It’s one of the most valuable things we do for our families!
KD also has a separate college counseling division offering solutions for 7th through 12th grade, ranging from a set of 16 small-group classes that covers the entire college admissions process or hourly one-on-one assistance for help in specific areas, to boot camps for college admissions essays. Find out more about our college counseling programs.
I think I need extra tutoring. What should I do?
If you are actively attending workshops, and you’re taking regular practice tests and reviewing each test, you may not feel like you need additional help. If there’s an area in which you want a little more focus, you want to review one of your tests individually, or a time constraint or learning difference concerns you, let us know.
One-on-one tutoring for test prep can always be arranged for an additional hourly fee of $75/hour for Complete Test Prep Program students to help you feel more confident on the big test day.
When should I take the national tests?
As part of your orientation and planning and guidance seminars, we will help you develop your testing timeline. Your timeline will be affected by many factors such as your high school courses, exam schedule, college choices, and score level, so it’s wise to discuss your options with a member of our team. That’s always good advice, no matter the question.
How do I prepare for the experimental questions on a digital SAT® test?
There’s no way to predict: a) which questions will be experimental (AKA “pretest”) on your SAT® test, or b) what content will be included in those experimental questions. Here’s what we know:
- There are two experimental questions per module (for a total of 8 per test).
- Your answer to these questions have no impact on your score.
So don’t stress out! Apply yourself and do your best.