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 be finished testing by the end of 11th grade, allowing time to focus on college applications 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 our team.

Read more about 2024-2025 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 timeline is a schedule that lines out when you plan to take the PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests. A testing timeline may also include registration deadlines, school day test dates, score release dates, a weekly prep schedule, or other items associated with the testing process.

By establishing a testing timeline, students will have a clear plan to follow, reducing anxiety and last-minute cramming leading up to test day. Remember, consistent prep over a long period of time typically garners the best results. (Important note: a 9th or 10th grade testing timeline 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:

9th Grade:

• PSAT 8/9 test in October (for practice). Date is selected by high school and not offered by every school.

10th Grade:

• PSAT 10 test in October (for practice). Date is selected by high school and is offered by most schools.

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)

12th Grade:

• SAT test (if necessary, until score goal is reached)
• ACT test (if necessary, until score goal is reached)

For more insight into why we recommend this specific testing timeline and number of national tests, please schedule a free consultation. KD’s test reference guide document guides many of these initial conversations with families—and you leave with the document even if you 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.

Yes, you most certainly can. 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.