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 student and parents of our Complete Program.
*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. Get started by creating an account on the registration page. (Please note that once your registration is submitted, it could take up to 48 hours for your access to the student portal to be approved).
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 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 four hours of workshops 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:
- Call your campus to reserve and attend a proctored practice test in person at one of our campuses. Remember to bring a calculator, a snack, and a drink to your proctored practice test. Proctored test-takers will hand in their bubble sheets following the test and a member of the KD team will grade it. Score reports are generally emailed 24-48 hours after the test is graded.
- Come by your home campus to pick up a practice test and test at home. See important note below for grading practice tests that are taken at home.
- Arrange to have a practice test shipped to you. For KD students who live outside the Dallas-Fort Worth area, or students who have paid to have their curriculum shipped, please call or email the Virtual campus at 972-906-8825 or virtual@kdcollegeprep.com to have an advisor help you pick a test and arrange for shipping. See important note below for grading practice tests that are taken at home.
IMPORTANT: When testing at home, practice test bubble sheets are graded through the KD Student Portal. Watch a quick video to learn how!
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.
Here is a video walkthrough 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 with reviews is a great way to monitor your progress and to continue the hard work you started in your lessons and workshops. Let’s talk about a general plan by grade level. (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!)
9th graders—a minimum of four practice tests (with reviews) June through May, depending on start date. Or at least one practice test per season or quarter. This can be a combination of PSAT and SAT® tests. 9th graders have plenty of time. It’s important to balance consistent practice with not overloading a younger student.
10th graders—at least five practice tests (with reviews) June through May, depending on start date. This should be a combination of PSAT, SAT, and one ACT® test. It’s important for 10th graders to begin building up the endurance needed to take the real national tests.
11th and 12th graders—1-2 practice tests (with reviews) each month until the student is finished testing. Additionally, when a national test is ~8 weeks away, these students should plan on taking and reviewing 2-3 of that same type of practice test before the national test date.
Miscellaneous
Do you offer college counseling services?
As part of the Complete Program, we offer grade-specific planning and guidance seminars each year. This seminar is included as part of your Complete Program and contains valuable information for families on how best to prepare for the college admissions process.
KD also has a completely separate college counseling division offering a set of services ranging from concierge-style, one-on-one assistance to hourly help in specific areas. 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 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 section on an SAT® test?
There’s no way to predict: a) if there will be an experimental section on your SAT® test, b) what content will be included in that experimental section, and c) whether or not that section will count towards your overall score. But don’t stress out! Apply yourself and do your best.