Guide To Creating a Testing Timeline

The “best” test date will depend on a student’s unique circumstances, but we typically recommend that students aim to finish testing by the end of 11th grade, allowing time to focus on college applications during the summer before 12th grade. Sometimes, students need to test into their senior year due to specific goals or because they started later and need more time to test.

For more guidance on which test dates will work best for your student’s timeline, we recommend scheduling a free consultation with a member of our team.

Read more about 2025-2026 ACT and SAT test dates.

Testing timelines depend on a student’s grade level, availability, amount of time for prep, and several other factors. But there a few different types of test dates to choose from:

• National Test Dates: Both the ACT and SAT tests offer seven national test dates throughout the year. These typically occur on Saturday mornings, but there are some Sunday options for students who have to miss a date for religious reasons.
• School Day Test Dates: It’s become common for school districts to offer school day administrations of the ACT and SAT tests. These dates vary by school district, and students should contact their high school counselors to find out the exact date and registration deadline. We should note that not every school district offers a school day test.

In our article called “When Should I take the ACT or SAT Test?”, we answer this question in more detail.

Students should take the PSAT test in 11th grade to participate in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. We also recommend students take the PSAT test when available at their high school, at any grade level*, to serve as extra practice for the SAT test.

There are different versions of the PSAT test depending on grade level. Here are the date ranges for the tests (and remember, school districts set the specific date):

• PSAT 8/9 Test: October 1–October 31, 2024 or March 3–April 30, 2025
• PSAT 10 Test: March 3–April 30, 2025
• PSAT/NMSQT Test: October 1–October 31, 2024

Unlike the national SAT or ACT tests, testing organizations do not offer the PSAT test on multiple dates throughout the year. Student will have the option to take their grade-level test once per year. To sign up, students must contact their high school counselors.

*Note: The PSAT test is not offered to high school seniors.

A student’s grade level, availability, testing timeline, and score goals will greatly impact his or her study plan. One student may dedicate a few hours every week. Another student may need to dedicate more time in preparation for a fast-approaching test date. 

At KD College Prep, our flexible class schedules, easy make-up options, and personalized approach give students the freedom to choose when they want to prep. Our team of advisors can make activity and schedule recommendations based on your student’s unique goals.

If a student has to miss an activity because something else comes up, that’s okay! Just contact us, and we’ll provide a list of make-up options. For more specific guidance, schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.

During the school year, KD offers multiple class schedule options designed to match a student’s hours of availability. For example, you’ll see evening classes on the weekdays and more weekend class options. View the options currently available on our Class Schedules page.

The best time to start depends on the student. While a longer runway often gives students plenty of time to prepare, it’s possible to start too early. If a student starts test prep too early and doesn’t see significant improvement early on in the process, or the prep material is too advanced, they can become discouraged. It’s best to wait until your student is ready—ready academically and ready to be invested in the process.

Here are some general guidelines for when a student should start:

• Elementary students: Grade-level (or above) reading, math, and vocabulary practice outside of school can help students build a strong test prep foundation. KD does not offer prep programs for elementary students.
• Gifted and advanced middle school students: Students who fall into this category are sometimes ready to start prep as early as 7th or 8th grade due to having an above-average proficiency in the content found on the tests. In fact, some middle school talent identification programs require a certain SAT or ACT score for admittance. To learn more about middle school prep, check out our Advanced Start program.
• 9th grade students: Many students begin their test prep in 9th grade, but the decision should be based on the individual student. 9th graders who have already taken Algebra I, are conscientious in their attention to schoolwork, and are goal-driven and hungry to learn are good candidates for starting test prep. But some expectations should be set for these younger students (and parents). 9th graders will encounter test prep material they have not yet seen in their high school courses—which is perfectly normal. They can’t be expected to know what they don’t know. And 9th graders should prep at much slower pace than older students.
• 10th grade students: At KD, we believe 10th grade can be the ideal time for most students to begin test prep. These students have weathered the transition to high school. In most cases, they’ve taken Algebra I and II (and sometimes geometry and other higher-level math classes). They have settled into a schedule with their schoolwork and extracurriculars and should begin thinking about what comes after high school. At KD, starting test prep in 10th grade also allows students to experience several years of test prep curriculum and practice activities, which develops good skills and habits that benefit them on test day.
• 11th grade students: By 11th grade, a student ought to have established a strong foundation for the material found on the tests. They’ve most likely attended higher-level math classes, seen some advanced vocabulary, and are mentally ready to begin the college admissions process, which often begins with testing. Plan to reach your score goal by the end of the school year (knowing that you may need to continue testing if goals are not met).
• 12th grade students: Don’t make the mistake of thinking testing is something you only do your senior year of high school. That puts entirely too much pressure on students to prepare AND perform in a much shorter period of time—with a college acceptance possibly on the line. A 12th grader’s runway is short! Start preparing for your tests and plan to finish as soon as possible. You may also need to be more realistic about your college list.

As we’ve already emphasized, every student is different, and each student’s unique situation should be taken into consideration when deciding on a starting point for test prep. For more specific guidance based on your student’s personal needs, schedule a free consultation.

A testing plan is a schedule or timeline that lines out when a student plans to prepare for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests, along with ideal dates for taking the official tests or planning retakes. It should look different for every student since availability and goals vary from student to student. If you want to get really specific, you may also include registration deadlines, school day test dates, score release dates, a weekly prep schedule, or other items associated with your student’s testing process.

By establishing a testing plan, students will have a clear path to follow, reducing anxiety and last-minute cramming leading up to test day. Remember, consistent prep over a long period of time typically results in the best outcomes. (Important note: a 9th or 10th grade testing plan will look very different and will probably change significantly over time versus that of an 11th or 12th grader.)

KD’s General Testing Timeline by Grade Level:

7th or 8th Grade:

• PSAT 8/9 test in October for practice. Date is selected by middle school and not offered by every school. We recommend only for students who are already familiar with above-grade-level math and verbal concepts.
• Consider the Advanced Start if a student feels ready for early exposure to test prep. Ideally, a student would start this process the summer before or during 7th or 8th grade, completing activities throughout the year.
• In less common cases, a 7th or 8th grader may plan to take the SAT or ACT test to qualify for certain gifted and talented programs, like Johns Hopkins’ Center for Talented Youth.

9th Grade:

• PSAT 8/9 test in October (for practice). Date is selected by high school and not offered by every school.
• Consider the Advanced Start or Complete Test Prep programs if the student feels ready to start the test prep process. Students can start attending activities as early as the summer before 9th grade, although activities are offered year round.

10th Grade:

• PSAT 10 test in October (for practice). Date is selected by high school and is offered by most schools.
• Consider signing up for 10th Grade Complete Test Prep or the College Prep Package, a money-saving option for students who want to plan ahead for both tests and college applications.

11th Grade:

• PSAT/NMSQT® test in October (used for National Merit® recognition). Date is selected by high school and offered by every school.
• SAT test (twice during the fall semester)
• ACT test (twice during the spring semester)
• If you haven’t started test prep already or need to switch to a new program, consider 11th Grade Complete Test Prep or the College Prep Package.

12th Grade:

• SAT test (if necessary, until score goal is reached)
• ACT test (if necessary, until score goal is reached)
• Consider 12th Grade Complete Test Prep if you haven’t already enrolled in a program. Students can start as early as the May before senior year, and the earlier a student can start, the better.

For more insight into why we recommend this specific testing timeline and number of national tests, please schedule a free consultation. KD advisors can start initial conversations about how to build an effective plan for your student—and families leave with free resources, like our Test Reference Guide, even if they decide to prep elsewhere.

How To Create a More-Detailed 11th Grade Testing Timeline:

Additionally, here’s a quick step-by-step guide for building a testing timeline for 11th graders, which is generally when most national testing takes place.

• Step 1: Establish which dates work best for you. For example, if you have a debate tournament or volleyball game the same weekend as the September test date, then that may not be the best test date for you.
• Step 2: Add registration deadlines. National ACT and SAT test dates require you to sign up online several weeks in advance of test day. The PSAT test requires you to reach out to your high school counselor, but also note that your school will set its own cutoff deadline, usually a few weeks ahead of the test.
• Step 3: Don’t forget to include your score release dates and retest options. You may not reach your score goal on the first attempt, so be sure to give yourself time to retake the test if necessary. In fact, KD recommends that you plan on taking both the SAT and ACT tests twice. You may not need all those test dates, but it’s good to be prepared.
• Step 4: Decide on your weekly schedule for test prep. If you follow a program like Complete Test Prep, include the dates of the activities you plan to attend and ask our advisors for recommendations if you’d like an expert opinion. If you’re preparing at your own pace, decide on a set number of hours you’ll dedicate to prep each week and block out that time in your calendar. The key is to give yourself plenty of time to work toward your score goals. Don’t underestimate how much time you’ll need.
• Step 5: Stick to the plan! Sure, unexpected things will come up. You’ll just have to adjust the timeline accordingly. But if you stick to your plan as much as possible, you’ll feel adequately prepared on test day.

It is most certainly possible for students to do school and test prep at the same time. A competitive high school will already provide a heavy workload, but if a student starts early enough, there is plenty of time to work toward college admissions goals. You just have to choose test dates that work with your schedule and give yourself plenty of time to prepare.

Test score goals are more attainable when a student has a learning partner to guide them through the process. At KD College Prep, our team of advisors is available 6 days per week to support students and their families. We provide the test prep activities so students don’t have to waste hours of prep time researching what they should practice. Instead, they receive printed curriculum materials and attend activities taught by degreed instructors. All a student has to do is decide when and where they will attend their activities. We’ll guide them through each step from there.

The only students who should worry about their remaining testing window are students going into 12th grade (Class of 2026). With college application deadlines arriving soon, they will need to reach score goals in the next few months. Whether or not they will succeed will depend on the amount of time available for test prep and their dedication to the process. With that being said, we have seen plenty of students put in the work and see improvement, even when they waited until senior year to start. 

If you student is just starting 10th or 11th grade, then it’s the perfect time to begin test prep. With plenty of test dates and months of practice left, your student should still have time to improve their scores, especially if they are enrolled in a test prep program and are willing to put in the time and effort.

For 7th, 8th, and 9th graders, of course there’s time. They’re just starting the process or are almost ready to start. While admissions testing may seem daunting, early exposure to test content, practicing strategies, and the right guidance can help them get a head start.

Regardless of grade level, KD has the tools and resources to help your student streamline their testing process and check scores off the list. In a free consultation, we can provide personalized guidance specific to your student’s grade level, goals, and remaining testing window.

During the school year and summer months, KD’s test prep classes take place at various meeting times throughout the week. Schedules can be tailored to a student’s availability with our convenient learning options and flexible make-up opportunities.

Class schedules for lessons are selected during the registration process. View our current Class Schedules.

The answer to this question varies from student to student, but to put it simply, it’s up to you. The amount of time that a student can dedicate to test prep will depend on his or her availability, learning style, and test score goals. Some students choose a class that meets five days per week, while another student may choose one that meets two to three times per week.

The lessons teach students PSAT, SAT, and ACT test concepts, question types, and specific strategies to find answers quickly and confidently. Read more about what’s included with the Complete Test Prep or Advanced Start.

During the summer, our campuses offer extended hours, additional class schedule options, and full-time advisor support to help a student find the time to participate in prep activities.

First off, if your student didn’t reach a score goal on one test, then it’s best to plan to make an attempt at the other. Since the ACT and SAT tests contain different content and formats, students may find that their strengths align best with one test over the other. KD recommends that students plan to take both admissions tests at least twice to maximize their odds for reaching desired test scores. This will let the resulting scores guide which test is their best fit—and which scores should be submitted as part of the application process.

If a student does not reach his or her target test score on the first attempt, that’s totally normal. Most students don’t hit the mark on the first attempt, which is why the ACT and SAT tests allow students to retake them. However, your student will need to plan ahead to allow time for one or multiple retakes, but remember to be practical. Students who test too often may feel discouraged by stagnant test scores.

With Complete Test Prep, 9th-12th grade students have access to digital and paper practice tests with self-guided and personalized test reviews. These activities are offered at various times throughout the week and are just one of many aspects of the test prep program. To find out if KD is the best prep program for your student, schedule a free consultation.

Yes, it does matter. The longer a family waits to sign up, the less time a student will have for test prep. In other words, an earlier start means less stress and anxiety in the weeks or days leading up to test day.

With Complete Test Prep, your student’s start date will also impact the amount of test prep activities available. While we do not recommend signing up for test prep until your student is ready to engage with the activities, it is important to start as early as possible. If you need help motivating your student to decide when to start, we recommend signing up for a free consultation with a KD advisor. During this meeting, we can provide an overview of the testing process and give insight on how test scores impact a student’s admissions odds.