How to Study Vocabulary for the PSAT, SAT®, and ACT® Tests

Yes, the vast majority of this blog post is about vocabulary on the PSAT, SAT®, and ACT® tests. But bear with me for a few introductory paragraphs while I explain why I think a strong vocabulary is so important in general.

Here’s the thing about vocabulary: The words we know shape our perceptions of the world around us—having a word for a particular concept makes it easier to think about and talk about that concept.

Think about the word ennui. It’s a feeling of boredom and simultaneous mental exhaustion caused by having nothing interesting to do. (A whole lot of us suffered from severe ennui during the worst parts of the COVID-19 shutdowns, and I’m not the only one with a giant cross-stitch to prove it). Ennui is a French word, and we stole it from them back in the 1700s because it better encapsulated the complex emotion than did words like listlessness or boredom.

Vocabulary also shapes how other people see us. It’s a huge part of making a first impression, good or bad, as it guides a lot of what a stranger will assume about us. Are those assumptions fair? Probably not. You are not inherently smarter just because you have a superior lexicon to throw around. But are people going to think you are smarter? Probably so.

If you are reading this, you are likely a high school student on the cusp of attempting to convince strangers (potentially much older strangers) that you deserve admittance into particular colleges. This is done mostly through essays and interviews, so you will want to capitalize on the unfair assumptions involved in first impressions.

All that is to say, I think vocabulary will help you even outside a testing environment—from getting into college to getting jobs and promotions to communicating with others for the rest of your life. As my English degree shows, I’m biased about the importance of a strong vocabulary, and I will readily admit this. But I’ll get off my soapbox now and address the questions at hand.

Use the table of contents below to navigate to the sections found within this article:

Is Vocabulary an Important Part of the PSAT, SAT, and ACT Tests?

The short answer? Yes! Vocabulary is absolutely an important part of the PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests.

The long answer? (Spoiler alert—the answer is still yes, just with a few caveats and clarifications).

Do you need to know arcane words that sound more like they belong in a magic spell than in the English language? Mostly, no (except for the historical document reading passage on the PSAT/SAT test—but I’ll get to that). What you do need is a working knowledge of a college-level vocabulary.

There are questions about vocabulary, but the biggest reason you’ll need vocabulary is for reading comprehension and speed. After all, these are timed tests. Your speed should be somewhere between brisk and breakneck depending on your testing style.

The SAT Test Changed Back in 2016. Does Vocabulary Even Matter Anymore?

If you have an older sibling who took the SAT prior to 2016 (or if you’re a parent who took the test in ye olden days), you are probably aware that there used to be a lot of vocabulary-heavy questions on the SAT test. Like, a lot.

Prior to 2016, 16 percent of questions on the Reading and Writing sections of the SAT test were “Sentence Completions.” These questions often contained obscure vocabulary. You had some context to inform you of what kind of word you were looking for, but you had to know the five advanced words making up your answer choices to correctly identify the matching word (see example below).

Though dolphins can be quite -----, jumping in waves and tossing seaweed, they are ----- when protecting members of their pod against predators.

(A) jocose .. ferocious
(B) malleable .. docile
(C) enervated .. decorous
(D) gentle .. decorous
(E) pious .. rectitudinous

And, of course, there were the analogy questions prior to 2005 that required you to know 12 different, and often rarely used, words for a single question without any context to go off of (see example below).

Alleviate : Mallady ::

(A) engender : progeny
(B) obfuscate : verisimilitude
(C) sustain : diversion
(D) invigorate : monotony
(E) protract : prudence

Thankfully, both of these question types have been put out to pasture. You do not need to know the meaning of “obfuscate” in a vacuum. But you might need to know the meaning of “obfuscate” in context. So don’t pile all your vocabulary cards in the backyard and douse them with lighter fluid just yet.

How Have Vocabulary Questions Changed on the “New” SAT Test?

According to College Board, the current version of the SAT test “won’t test you on the meaning of obscure, seldom-used words and phrases presented with little context. Rather, you’ll be tested on words and phrases that often appear in college courses and beyond and that are grounded in rich contexts.” So the kind of words you are tested on are words that are used fairly often in high-level documents (literature, political speeches, medical or sociological reports, etc.) and have multiple meanings depending on the context.

A good example is the word “repellent.” In a literature passage, a character may have a repellent personality, meaning that the character acts in an off-putting, possibly disgusting, manner. In a scientific passage, the author may discuss the efficacy of insect repellent in reducing cases of malaria in a given area. You would then be asked to identify how the word is being used in the passage (are we talking about a bad person or bug spray?)

That said, just because you won’t be tested on obscure vocabulary, doesn’t mean you won’t see obscure vocabulary on the test. College Board states that each Reading section of the test will include five passages:

“One passage from a classic or contemporary work of U.S. or world literature.
One passage or a pair of passages from either a U.S. founding document (such as an essay by James Madison) or a text in the Great Global Conversation (such as a speech by Nelson Mandela).
One passage on a social science topic from a field such as economics, psychology, or sociology.
Two science passages (or one passage and one passage pair) that examine foundational concepts or recent developments in Earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics.”

Source: College Board

Types of Passages

The natural science and social science passages don’t present much of a challenge vocabulary-wise. But the same is not true for the literature passage and the founding documents passage.

Literature Passage

Here’s a snippet from the sort of passage you might find on the literature section:

“Ms. Russel, a prying, curious widow, who, whatever might be her reasons for doing so, would rather listen to another’s dealings than tend to her own, excused herself from the conversation at hand upon recognizing the clear tone of Ms. Kellynch. The governess in question was presently occupied with the tedium of convincing the young master that the object of his ambition, namely, one currently steaming morsel sat upon the windowsill, would remain firmly beyond the bounds of his grasp until he could recite his letters with perfect correctitude.”

Technically speaking, none of those words are obscure. But unless you have a penchant for Jane Austen novels, you’ve probably never heard people talk or write like this. When my roommate asks me if our Uber Eats order arrived as expected, I certainly don’t tell her that the food made it to the doorstep with “perfect correctitude.” Not to mention, while you’ve probably heard the word “governess,” do you know what one is? A governess is basically an all-in-one live-in nanny and home-school teacher for old-school rich people.

Ultimately, if you aren’t at least a little familiar with speech patterns, word choices, and societal concepts from past generations, the literature passage can slow you down a lot, wasting time and probably forcing you to read and reread sections just to figure out what is happening.

Historical Documents Passage

Now take a look at this excerpt from Abraham Lincoln’s “Address to the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois,” a historical documents passage that you may find on the SAT test.

“There is no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob law. In any case that arises, as for instance, the promulgation of abolitionism, one of two positions is necessarily true; that is, the thing is right within itself, and therefore deserves the protection of all law and all good citizens; or, it is wrong, and therefore proper to be prohibited by legal enactments; and in neither case, is the interposition of mob law, either necessary, justifiable, or excusable.”

The complexity of this passage’s sentence structure and its challenging vocabulary are pretty typical of historical document passages. Yes, there are easier passages, but there are also harder passages.

A common question on the SAT test may ask you what Lincoln’s main argument was. (Here, Lincoln is arguing that any injustice should be addressed through legal systems of government and that just causes will, eventually, be protected by law, and unjust causes will be prosecuted by the law, and, no matter what the cause, citizens shouldn’t take the law into their own hands).

So answer me this: how many times did you have to read that paragraph to really understand it? (Because it definitely took me more than twice). As you can see, this type of writing will slow you down. It’s nearly impossible to skim something this linguistically dense and come out with a clear understanding of what’s being said.

You are going to see at least two passages on each SAT test that will use atypical vocabulary and written structure. You will probably have to move more slowly through these two passages,. And this can be risky on a test designed to leave you short on time. Keep in mind that each passage includes about 10 or 11 corresponding questions, and you simply can’t afford to miss 20+ questions if you want a competitive score.

The bottom line is that while vocabulary questions on the SAT test have changed over the years, vocabulary is still an important aspect of the test. Before test day, study vocabulary and practice answering questions in a “Words in Context” format. This may help you see a major impact on your scores.

What Do Vocabulary Questions Look Like on the PSAT, SAT, and ACT Tests?

Vocabulary questions on the PSAT and SAT tests are called “Words in Context.” They will look mostly the same on both tests. The difference is that the Reading section will require you to pick the best synonym for a word in the passage whereas the Writing section simply tasks you with filling in the blank. In both scenarios, you’ll have to use context clues to determine the way a word is being used.

Example of what you may see on the PSAT/SAT Reading section:

“When a sojourner in south central Connecticut decides upon the wrong fork at the crossroads of Dunwich pike just beyond Howard’s Corners she finds herself entering a forlorn and otherworldly country. The landscape becomes elevated, and the pebbled stone walls begin to choke the old roads that wander fearfully around the gnarled trees that offer their oppressive security.”

As used in line 1, “sojourner” most nearly means:

A) tourist
B) tenant
C) transient
D) traveler

Example of what you may see on the PSAT/SAT Writing section:

In a disconcerting turn of evolutionary events, both B. ephippium and B. pitanga are incapable of hearing their own mating calls due to their underdeveloped ears, leading scientists to wonder why they bother making the noise in the first place.

A) NO CHANGE
B) knotty
C) perplexing
D) worrying

Vocabulary questions on the ACT test assess the same skills as vocabulary questions on the SAT tests. However, the format for reading questions is slightly different. The Reading section, instead of asking for a synonym, will ask for clarification of an idea or a specific term. However, the English section tests vocabulary in the same manner as does the SAT Writing/Language section.

Example of what you may see on the ACT Reading section:

The phrase “diverging viewpoint” as it is used in line 11 refers to:

A) a dispassionate argument
B) an iconoclastic tenant
C) a contentious diatribe
D) an ephemeral maxim

How Hard Are Vocabulary Questions on the Tests?

As the excerpts above hopefully show, the vocabulary questions for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests really are not especially hard if you know what to expect.

Most of the words you will be tested on are words you should come across through your high school coursework. The hardest part is interpreting the language used in the literature and historical documents passages and knowing how to tie words to meaning and main ideas.

How Can I Memorize Vocabulary Before Test Day?

Studying test vocabulary doesn’t work like studying vocab for your Spanish class. You can’t just make a bunch of flash cards and cram the night before.

For the best results, start preparing for the verbal sections of the PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests as soon as possible. To clarify, we normally recommend that students aim to finish testing by the end of 11th grade. If you’re going for a competitive test score, this means planning to take both the SAT and ACT tests at least twice.

So if you’re reading this as a 6th grader, it’s probably a little early for you to start preparing for the tests. But if you’re already in the 10th grade, now is the perfect time to start! At KD, we offer a variety of test prep programs to help you reach your test score goals.

And remember, pulling an all-nighter before test day will only make you more tired and slow down your response time. This is not ideal since these are very fast-paced tests. In our experience, cramming rarely gives you any real benefit. Instead, try these methods.

1. Read the Classics

One of the most reliable ways to expand your vocabulary is to read college-level books. And since reading harder books is time consuming, it would be best to start early. The types of books that will read most like the hardest literature passages on the PSAT/SAT/ACT tests are what we typically consider “classics”—books by Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, Charles Dickens, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, Mark Twain, and the like.

Start with your high school English reading lists. If there are any books on your high school syllabi from previous years that you didn’t actually read, read those first. (And hey, if you read every single book you were ever assigned in school, you deserve a cookie. Even straight-A students skim through books every now and then).

After checking off previously assigned reading, find reading lists online like this list of 100 classics. Pick the books that sound most interesting to you.

The idea behind reading classics is not to read content that you think will actually be on the test. To be honest, I’ve never seen an excerpt from anything I’ve read on a test. And it’s almost impossible to predict exactly what you’d find.

The idea is just to get used to how writing and speech sounded 100+ years ago so that you are used to it and can move more quickly through those passages.

2. Read Historical Documents

If you want to be extra ambitious, read letters and speeches written by our Founding Fathers like James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, etc. Older historical documents tend to follow a more dense or legal style of writing that is harder to understand. You probably aren’t used to reading long paragraphs filled with words that no one uses nowadays.

This will certainly not be the most entertaining form of reading, but it will help you prepare.

3. Listen to Audiobooks

I know this opinion will be controversial since many capital “R” Readers feel like listening to an audiobook doesn’t actually count as reading. But you don’t have to limit yourself to physically reading a book to gain vocabulary knowledge. Yes, you are much more likely to notice vocabulary that you don’t know in print form. And seeing the word written down certainly makes the word easier to look up. But if you are an active, attentive listener, audiobooks can be a great supplement to eyes-on-page reading.

For example, this morning I was listening to a mystery-of-the-week novel while getting ready—two activities that seem completely unrelated to studying vocabulary for college admissions tests.

The book was far from classic literature, but while multitasking, I mentally flagged two words to look up later. One word was “jocular.” I’d heard it enough that I thought I knew what it meant, but I wasn’t 100 percent sure. Turns out I was way off on the meaning, which is to be fond of joking, humorous, or playful. The second word, “saturnine,” was definitely a word I didn’t know. It means a slow and gloomy temperament. After screwing up the spelling of both words and letting Google do its thing, I now have two new words in my lexicon.

4. Make Vocabulary Building a Part of Your Lifestyle

There is no shame in making a concerted effort to improve the way you communicate with others. And it can even be fun!

My main point here is that there are many ways to build up your vocabulary knowledge. Read, listen to, or watch anything and everything: YA novels, comic books, podcasts, news articles, webtoons, movies, and TV.

Be present when you are consuming media. Make notes when you stumble upon a word you don’t already know. Write it down and remember to look the word up later.

If flash cards work for you, then make a flash card with the word and definition (or use virtual flashcards). Write new words down in a journal or in your iPhone notes. Reread the definitions each day until they stick. You could even write the words and definitions on sticky notes and place them on your bathroom mirror to recite until you know them well.

Gathering and studying vocabulary for admissions tests is not quick, but it can become an easy part of a life-long learning habit.

Can I Use a Dictionary or Thesaurus on the PSAT, SAT, and ACT Tests?

This is a hard “no.” There are absolutely no dictionaries or books of any kind permitted for the PSAT, SAT, or ACT tests, even if English isn’t your first language. So, you’ll need to establish a deep knowledge of vocabulary before test day if you want to reach your best scores.

Need Help Preparing for Upcoming Tests?

At KD College Prep, we offer in-person and online test prep programs for students in 7th–12th grade. Since 1992, we helped more than 72,000 students prepare for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests, and we have a team of amazing instructors and curriculum writers who specialize in teaching the verbal material found on these tests.

Schedule a free consultation to learn more about our programs.

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Armaan C. – Class of 2023

“I am very grateful that KD was able to offer so many resources and guides for the SAT® and PSAT tests. They really helped me get a good grasp on the types of questions that the SAT exam tested on, and I was able to get a really good score the first time I took it! Once again, thank you KD, and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to earn a high SAT score.”

“I am very grateful that KD was able to offer so many resources and guides for the SAT® and PSAT tests. They really helped me get a good grasp on the types of questions that the SAT exam tested on, and... Read more...

Sri Vamsi Krishna Putti – Class of 2023, Frisco ISD

“My husband and I are so impressed with your course and the quality of guidance that you provide. It feels like you really want our son to succeed. Thank you!”

Debra H. – Son, Class of 2023

“KD taught me so many useful strategies for the SAT® & PSAT/NMSQT® tests. They helped me improve my SAT score by over 400 points, and I got done with the SAT test at the beginning of 11th grade! I would recommend KD to anyone who wants a highly competitive SAT score.”

“KD taught me so many useful strategies for the SAT® & PSAT/NMSQT® tests. They helped me improve my SAT score by over 400 points, and I got done with the SAT test... Read more...

Praneel S. – Class of 2023

“My time and experiences at KD College Prep have efficiently guided and prepared me for my future educational career as a college student. Not only did KD help me with college entrance exams but also provided numerous informational seminars that helped me with the various steps required for college admissions. At KD I enjoyed learning from amazing teachers, who cared for each of their students individually and were ready to help wherever it was needed. Being a student at KD has also helped me figure out which learning techniques work best for me. The opportunity to engage in different learning methods such as small group interactive learning, larger group discussions, or individual practice are all ways that helped me come up with a learning... Read more...

“My time and experiences at KD College Prep have efficiently guided and prepared me for my future educational career as a college student. Not only did KD help me with college entrance exams but also provided numerous informational seminars that helped... Read more...

Tanisha P. – Class of 2020

“My feedback can only be positive, given how much you helped me get ahead with my application process. I really appreciated how much work both of you put into helping me write the best essay possible, especially reviewing my essays twice to polish them completely. In addition, I have noticed that writing my resume has released a lot of stress off my shoulder when it comes to making sure I have all the things necessary to apply to schools.”

“My feedback can only be positive, given how much you helped me get ahead with my application process. I really appreciated how much work both of you put into... Read more...

Claudia A. – Class of 2020

“My favorite things about KD were the mirroring it had to actual test questions, the availability, and the relationships you built with all the teachers and advisors who made the process of learning easier. I think that after you started going to a good amount of classes and the workshops, you knew every teacher, and they were always available to answer any questions that you had...Everyone was just so welcoming and made learning more engaging for the students, especially with the workshops. All of had their own unique style of teaching which never made a class boring.”

“My favorite things about KD were the mirroring it had to actual test questions, the availability, and the relationships you built with all the teachers and advisors who made the process of... Read more...

Rishab P. – Class of 2021

“I want to thank both of you so very much for making this dream come true. When I first came to KD, I wanted to get a score of 1520 or above... So many people told me it would be impossible to reach my desired score. After months of using KD's methods my scores definitely improved but hovered around 1350—still not near the score I needed but closer. After finally working with both of you during one on ones, my scores started to see heavy improvement and while I didn't get a score of 1520 or above as a single score, I got it as a superscore... Read more...

“I want to thank both of you so very much for making this dream come true. When I first came to KD, I wanted to get a score of 1520 or... Read more...

David P. – Class of 2022

“It takes a village to raise a child—this is so true. KD College Prep staff have been nothing but uplifting to my child and to us parents through their eager attitudes to assist, in-depth guidance and unparalleled wisdom. I am in awe at the consistent level of professionalism yet genuine concern for each and every person that walks through their doors. Thank you KD staff for being great mentors for our children!”

“It takes a village to raise a child—this is so true. KD College Prep staff have been nothing but uplifting to my child and to us parents through their eager attitudes to assist, in-depth guidance and unparalleled wisdom. I am in... Read more...

Gloria D. – Daughter, Class of 2021

“I attended KD for the last 3 years, and I was blessed with the opportunity to take the SAT^® test one last time last month. I got a 1430 on the test. I wanted to take the time to say I have finished college applications, and I would love to thank all the teachers and aides at KD for giving me the score that I got on the test. Without the extra practice, I wouldn't have been able to get through to the score I got. These past 3 years went by so fast, and it is so fun to look back at where I started and how much I have come out with flying colors. Thank you so much!”

“I attended KD for the last 3 years, and I was blessed with the opportunity to take the SAT^® test one last time last month. I got a 1430 on the test. I wanted to take the time to say I... Read more...

Kareena A. – Class of 2021

“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!”

“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... Read more...

Advika R. – Class of 2022

“I shifted toward taking practice tests and going to workshops because I felt those were the best ways to apply the concepts (I was) learning in class. I started applying the tips and tricks that the teachers were showing me in class. In conjunction, those two things helped me raise my score a lot because I was not a math kid before KD or high school. The repetition and being able to practice in a non-stressful environment and simulating that testing experience is something that was very beneficial for me... “The college counseling team was super patient and honest about the work I was submitting. I know for a lot of kids, it’s hard to articulate who you are through 250-300 words. It was definitely... Read more...

“I shifted toward taking practice tests and going to workshops because I felt those were the best ways to apply the concepts (I was) learning in class. I started applying the tips and tricks that the teachers were showing me in... Read more...

Blaine W. – Class of 2021

“Both of my sons have been guided by KD College Prep counselor Steve Peifer on their journey to finding the right college for them, and we could not have had a better experience and outcome. My oldest son is now a rising junior at the University of Miami, and my youngest son is an incoming freshman at Vanderbilt University. Steve’s help in navigating the complicated college landscape and finding the BEST FIT for my two sons is what has made this resource invaluable. “What made the biggest difference for my two sons was the depth and breadth of knowledge Steve has of the many universities and colleges in the U.S. First, by getting to know my kids on a one-on-one basis, he was able to... Read more...

“Both of my sons have been guided by KD College Prep counselor Steve Peifer on their journey to finding the right college for them, and we could not have had a better experience and outcome. My oldest son is now a... Read more...

Julio M. – Parent

“My daughter loved the program—the program materials and the teachers both online and in person. She participated in a year of online and a year of in person. It was incredible enrichment and helped her keep her skills sharp over the summer. She liked being challenged academically, and she loved taking classes with high school students who were focused on their college goals. These students were also excellent role models! The lessons were especially important during the pandemic when it wasn’t a typical middle school experience.”

“My daughter loved the program—the program materials and the teachers both online and in person. She participated in a year of online and a year of in person. It was incredible enrichment and helped her keep her skills sharp over the... Read more...

Beth L. – Advanced Start™ Parent

“I wanted to say thank you to all of the teachers and directors at KD for helping me get a great score on the SAT^® test. I started with a 1250 on the first KD test I took, and I got a 1530 on the December 5th SAT test. KD played a huge role in this, and I just wanted to say thanks to everyone there for helping me achieve this.”

“I wanted to say thank you to all of the teachers and directors at KD for helping me get a great score on the SAT^® test. I started with a 1250 on the first KD test I took, and I got... Read more...

Vyom S. – Class of 2022

"Our twin 16-year-old boys used KD College Prep to study/practice for the PSAT test, and we believe the classes and coaching were invaluable. Very professional and concise. Worth every penny!"

Jerry – Sons, Class of 2022

“I'm writing to thank the KD team for all the help and guidance over the last couple of years! All the resources provided were very useful to me and helped me achieve the scores I was aiming for on the PSAT, SAT^®, and ACT^® tests (1520, 1580, and 34). I really appreciate everyone's willingness to be flexible and accommodate my requests!”

“I'm writing to thank the KD team for all the help and guidance over the last couple of years! All the resources provided were very useful to me and helped me achieve the scores I was aiming for on the PSAT,... Read more...

Mithra A. – 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)."

"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... Read more...

Elise P. – Class of 2022

“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping both of my kids over the last years reach successful outcomes on their SAT^® and ACT^® scores, which helped them get into great colleges. I found the college prep class for parents very informative and helpful during the process as well. My son (Jacob) graduated in 2018 and got a 32 on the ACT test. got accepted into Texas A&M but chose Baylor for Health Sciences. My daughter (Morgan) graduated in 2020 and got a 1450 on the SAT test and a 32 on the ACT test. got into an Ivy League school (Cornell) for Engineering. Both my kids say that they apply the test taking skills they learned at KD Prep to... Read more...

“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping both of my kids over the last years reach successful outcomes on their SAT^® and ACT^® scores, which helped them get into great colleges. I found the college prep class for parents... Read more...

Jon D. – Parent

“Coming into this whole process, I had absolutely no idea what anything was, and your help was invaluable—your encouraging words, strategic advice, and wholesome stories and jokes really got me through a stressful time! I'm still on the waitlist at Harvard and other schools, but I've really started to immerse into the Emory culture, especially their debate team. Not having to pay for college and still attend a private institution is really a dream come true, and it wouldn't be possible if it were not for you.”

“Coming into this whole process, I had absolutely no idea what anything was, and your help was invaluable—your encouraging words, strategic advice, and wholesome stories and jokes really got me through a stressful time! I'm still on the waitlist at Harvard... Read more...

Shreyas R. – Class of 2020

“The most beneficial guidance I received during my College Counseling experience was being taught that it's completely ok to not know what I want to do with the rest of my life at 17/18 years old. Steve told me that a good school will help me find my path. Also, Steve's knowledge about what colleges were wanting to see in potential admissions candidates was a huge help... “There was not one specific beneficial moment or turning point in my time working with Steve, there were many. He encouraged me during the entire application process and brought to my attention many colleges I wouldn't have considered or heard about without his help.”

“The most beneficial guidance I received during my College Counseling experience was being taught that it's completely ok to not know what I want to do with the rest of my life at 17/18 years old. Steve told me that a... Read more...

Jake W. – Class of 2020

"I'm very happy my daughter chose KD as her learning partner to achieve her goals. All the experiences with KD and the Directors there are fabulous. My daughter has improved significantly."

Zarni, Daughter – Class of 2021

"I took KD classes the summer before my junior year, and I was finished with my SAT^® test by December...The test prep classes also helped me earn the award of National Merit^® Finalist."

Claire I. – Class of 2020

"It's been super helpful, and I've noticed my scores go up both on my SAT^®/ACT^® scores as well as test scores in school... Overall, I believe this to be the best college prep that money can buy."

Gopi C. – Class of 2021

"KD helped me come up with a game plan for the colleges I wanted to attend, as well as any backups, and how to manage my time during this stressful period. They helped to ease the stress and made sure that I would be successful in whichever college I picked, and I am eternally grateful for all their help and hard work!"

"KD helped me come up with a game plan for the colleges I wanted to attend, as well as any backups, and how to manage my time during this stressful period. They helped to ease the stress and made... Read more...

Omar S. – Class of 2020

"My initial goals when I first started working with the KD Counseling crew was to compile a list of colleges that I would be somewhat interested in attending and fit my career goals. I think that this step I was by far the most concerned about. I didn’t know how exactly I should go about choosing which places to apply to and if I were to be accepted, if they would fit me. The team did a wonderful job considering my likes and dislikes and helped me compile a list of colleges that suited my tastes and would further my academic career. "After this integral first step, my focus turned towards time management and writing quality essays that would stand out to colleges. I got... Read more...

"My initial goals when I first started working with the KD Counseling crew was to compile a list of colleges that I would be somewhat interested in attending and fit my career goals. I think that this step I was by... Read more...

Nina H. – Class of 2020

"I was thankful for all the help I received from KD in preparing for my SAT^® and ACT^® exams. The workshops they offered, as well as the practice exams, gave me the tools I needed to do my very best."

Morgan D. – Class of 2020

"KDCP is a must for students wanting to stay a step ahead of the game for getting into college. My son has gained huge insight from the ACT^®/SAT^® practice workshops, practice tests, and essay class."

Tiffany – Son, Class of 2021

"KD helped to increase the efficiencies of how I took the national exams. I was also able to implement these efficiencies in my daily school studies within the IB program at PESH. I would (and have) recommend KD to those students wanting an edge on their national test scores!"

"KD helped to increase the efficiencies of how I took the national exams. I was also able to implement these efficiencies in my daily school studies within the IB program at PESH. I would (and have) recommend KD to those students... Read more...

Daniel J. – Class of 2020

"Not only have I been able to significantly improve my test scores, I have learned a tremendous amount of information about the college application process due to complimentary events that KD offers."

Sam H. – Class of 2020

"I came to KD the summer before my senior year with only my determination and big goals! KD provided me with the resources necessary to improve my test score to increase my chances at my dream school, Notre Dame, with the help from amazing teachers and staff. I am so grateful for KD!"

"I came to KD the summer before my senior year with only my determination and big goals! KD provided me with the resources necessary to improve my test score to increase my chances at my dream school, Notre Dame, with the... Read more...

Matt K. – Class of 2020

"I started classes at KD the summer before 9th grade. I...made a perfect score on the PSAT (earning the National Merit^® scholarship) and, after taking the SAT^® test only once (a relief!), scored a 1590/1600."

Thomas D. – Class of 2019

"In just one year, I was able to raise my score by 300 points and get into my dream school."

Piper F. – Class of 2020

"Having our recent GHS graduate attend KD was life changing. It provided our son with choices and opportunities that he might not have had otherwise."

Kathy – Son attends Mizzou

“I came to KD College Prep after already using another tutoring service which we were not seeing results with. Due to time constraints, the traditional classes were not going to be feasible for my daughter. They took the time to figure out a personal plan that would work for her and were always available for our questions and helping her reach her goals. Every employee from the managers to the students working at their locations are top notch.”

“I came to KD College Prep after already using another tutoring service which we were not seeing results with. Due to time constraints, the traditional classes were not going to be feasible for my daughter. They took the time to figure... Read more...

Tracy – Daughter, Class of 2020

"The KD College Prep course not only provided test practice but also motivated her to work hard for her college applications. It gave her the confidence to dream big!"

Prema – Daughter attends Rice