Many of Compass’s current families first came to us years ago when their oldest child reached the college testing stage. It’s fun to hear returning parents reflect on what they learned about the college process—and testing in particular—the first time through. It’s also a chance to make sure they are caught up on what has recently changed! So whether you’ve done this before or your first (or only) child is a current freshman, this post will help you anticipate what’s ahead and allow you to chart an individualized course from a posture of confidence.
Our seniors who maximized their potential and saw the greatest gains were the ones who found the time early on to become well-informed. From there, they were able to plan well and trust their moves as decisions emerged over the ensuing years. They remained strategic yet sensibly grounded throughout.
College admission decisions can seem unpredictable, and the system is imperfect. Yet, it generally works—and works out—despite some uncertain moments along the way. It’s complex but not overly complicated: while colleges consider the “whole” applicant (as well as factors an applicant can’t control), much of the heavy lifting falls to the academic profile: high school grades and test scores.
In other words, the most important thing a 9th grader can do is have a good 9th grade year. Then a strong 10th grade year. Your grades follow you, for better or worse, so we urge our 9th and 10th grade families to carefully watch grades and seek tutoring assistance in any class that begins to slip. Academic rigor increases in 11th grade, which is also when testing enters the picture and specific college consideration begins. Good early high school years pay dividends when things start to accelerate in the upper grades. Despite how competitive the college landscape may seem, those who reach the fall of senior year with solid transcripts and testing records will enjoy plenty of encouraging options.
Good Test Prep Starts with Good Planning
The healthiest approach to test preparation avoids the extremes. That means not underestimating or overestimating the importance of testing. Seek and listen to expert guidance but try not to become too affected by generalized hype. Accept testing as an important, but not all-consuming, component of the college admission process.
When individualizing a long-term plan with our clients, we tend to start at the finish line. We work backwards from the fall of senior year. College admission tests should not happen as isolated events aimlessly scattered across school years. Customized, strategic planning involves mapping out likely test dates so that proper preparation and realistic timelines can take shape, factoring in all that contributes to optimal outcomes in the long run, such as coursework, personal schedules, conflicts, testing experience, and cognitive development.
While standardized tests are not pleasant, they are predictable. Early exposure and subsequent practice breed familiarity and confidence. Gradually, as experience grows, students develop not only a better grasp of content and the features of a test but also valuable test-taking skills like pacing, endurance, time management, decision making, and self-discipline.
A few high schools offer a freshman-level practice test known as the PSAT 8/9. This is an age-appropriate, low-stakes introduction to the kind of testing students will see in the future. If available at your school, it’s a worthwhile exercise.
Most high schools, however, first expose students to simulated college admission testing in 10th grade by including them with juniors in the PSAT administration or administering the PreACT (a sophomore-level practice version of the real ACT) or contracting with a company like Compass to administer a mock exam on campus. The results of these tests are never presented to colleges; they are only meant to provide experiential opportunities and diagnostic feedback.
Even though some of the most advanced math content may be unfamiliar to a sophomore, the results (percentiles) are normed by grade for useful context. And the detailed score reports provide actionable insight into skill areas that may require extra attention sooner rather than later.
Some experts conservatively caution against testing too early, even when it involves low-stakes testing like the PSAT, PreACT, or mock exams. They worry that a disappointing score early on could shake a student’s confidence. This is a valid concern that should be considered at the individual level. But we prefer having some data a little too early rather than a little too late. Postponing an initial baseline diagnostic test until a student feels “fully” ready could adversely affect planning decisions and test preparation for the official tests that will matter.
We suggest scheduling an initial strategic planning meeting or call with your Compass director by the spring of 10th grade. At that time, it’s most helpful to have diagnostic results from either a PSAT, a practice ACT, or both. With those, we can make appropriate recommendations about test selection, timing, and preparation.
Prep Before the Prep
Actual test prep usually spans a few months, not a few years. Detailed plans (test selection, program scope, lesson scheduling, tutor pairing, etc) are usually finalized 5-6 months prior to a target test date. Weekly private lessons, regular drill work, and monthly diagnostic tests occur as prescribed by a thoughtfully constructed plan you develop with your director. But all of that should wait until your student’s needs and goals become clearer.
In the meantime, we encourage you to take advantage of the educational resources we maintain for your benefit. If you closely follow those who closely follow the topic of college admission testing, you’ll be that much further ahead of the pack when it’s time to formally engage in testing and preparation.
For starters, tune into a live or recently recorded Compass webinar to hear our experts discuss the role of testing in competitive contexts and offer practical answers to common questions. Also be sure to download the latest edition of the Compass Guide to College Admission Testing so you have a trusted reference when detailed questions arise. Our Resource Center is where to access all of our research and analysis. Then when you’re ready, you can schedule a call with a Compass program director to discuss your student’s timeline, request practice tests, and get help interpreting results from early diagnostic exams.
A Sneak Peek Into Test Prep
After guiding thousands of families through the test prep process for over three decades, at least one fact holds true: every student is case-by-case. That said, we also see that many of the best practices we’ve promoted over the years remain sound. Here is what has worked well for many of our clients:
- The 10th grade PSAT is an important first step. We pay less attention to the score, but we find the diagnostic analysis to be invaluable. Our tutors are also able to go back to that report and use the results to identify and clean up content gaps and blind spots. Waiting for 11th grade PSAT results postpones that initial orientation.
- A mock ACT at the beginning of the summer after 10th grade provides useful comparative data. There is a slight time lag between the PSAT and the practice ACT, but we are still able to use the results to make an informed test-type selection. There isn’t always a clear-cut choice, but when there is, it’s an advantage to know it.
- An introductory round of foundational test prep over the summer prior to 11th grade can be a good decision. Although testing may not begin until the spring of junior year, the lighter summer allows for easier scheduling and keeps some cognitive engagement in play in July and August. Many rising juniors are receptive to once a week private summer lessons to give a jumpstart on test prep before a busy junior fall begins. It also then allows the student to take a break in the fall and focus on the important first semester without worrying about getting a late start on test prep. Then resume a second round of tutoring in December as spring test dates near.
- Some parents want to introduce their students even earlier to the essential aspects of college admissions standardized testing, in which case we recommend Compass Fundamentals, an 8-week enrichment program designed specifically for 9th and 10th graders.
- Monthly proctored practice testing will provide fuel and continuity to the program. Every 4–6 weeks, another full-length diagnostic test is taken, scored, and shared with the tutors. They in turn use the analytics to further refine test-taking skills and identify patterns, habits, pacing adjustments, and missed opportunities. Scores sometimes dip or remain flat, but every report nonetheless provides powerful and actionable insight and error analysis.
- Online tutoring is a great option, especially when a student plans to spend several summer weeks away from home, in an area where reliable in-person tutoring is not an option. Online tutoring is seamlessly integrated into their schedules, even across time zones. When students return home, some choose to keep their lessons online because it allows them to work with tutors who are best matched to their personality and learning style, without tutor proximity limiting the choices. The question is no longer, “Who is our best tutor for your child in your area?” But simply, “Who is the best tutor for your child?” Increasingly, Compass clients everywhere—anywhere—are gaining access to our popular tutors from the Bay Area, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Washington, DC.
Smart Shopping for Test Prep
When the time comes to explore commercial options, it’s good to be armed with questions to help you determine the best fit. Start with what matters most to you. Then ask friends and counselors for trusted recommendations. Finally, think of what to ask a prospective provider. If you’re satisfied with the way these questions are answered, you’ll feel better about your decision. A few suggested questions to get you started:
- Does the firm specialize in test prep and high level (Honors, AP, IB) academic tutoring, or is instructional support on a long list of its college-related offerings?
- Is tutoring the firm’s true area of expertise? Does the firm publish ongoing research and resources demonstrating expertise?
- Is the firm equipped to handle all of your test prep needs (SAT, ACT, AP Exams, Academics) with subject-matter experts? Does it have strong curricula and sufficient study materials?
- Is the company technologically capable and fully invested in handling the transition to digital adaptive testing?
- What is the firm’s history with college admission testing and preparation? Who provides leadership?
- Is the firm’s recommendation placed within the context of your needs and goals? Did your contact take the time to ask thoughtful questions and listen to you?
- Who are the instructors? How are the instructors hired, trained, supervised, supported, evaluated, and professionally developed?
- How does the student-instructor match process work to ensure a good fit?
- What exactly will test preparation involve on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis?
- How are goals determined, pursued, and measured? What happens if goals are not reached?
- Who is ultimately accountable for a satisfying experience and outcome? Who is in charge of resolving issues along the way?
- What are the contractual terms of the program? Are the terms client-friendly? Are they student-centric? Are they easy to understand?
- What are the firm’s expectations for the student? For the parents?
At Compass, we look forward to discussing these questions and many more with you when the time is right. Until then, focus on what matters most now and know that we’ll be here to guide you on the road ahead.
