Scheduling is usually the largest factor students consider when choosing the right test date. For example, if you’re in the school play that has 2 hour rehearsals 5 days a week and several weekends of performances, you probably want to wait until it’s over to start your prep. But just because your last show is in October doesn’t mean you’ll be ready to test in November.
As a general rule, Compass recommends 3–4 months of regular preparation for a first attempt at an ACT or SAT test and 4–6 weeks of regular preparation for AP Exams (though we can also offer year-round support for these classes). And all our preparation plans start with a practice test prior to that.
Drop down each target test date to see the most ideal timeline leading up to it, then contact one of our directors to discuss your test preparation plans. Click here to see the calendar of test dates.
February ACT
The February ACT usually takes place on the first or second Saturday of the month.
- Initial Diagnostic Test: the previous September or earlier
- Get Your Materials: early October
- Begin Lessons: mid to late October
March SAT
The March SAT usually occurs on the first or second Saturday of the month. **Note: there are no Subject Tests offered in March.
- Initial Diagnostic Test: the previous October or earlier
- Get Your Materials: early November
- Begin Lessons: mid to late November
April ACT
The April ACT is usually on the first or second Saturday of the month.
- Initial Diagnostic Test: the previous November or earlier
- Get Your Materials: early December
- Begin Lessons: mid to late December
May SAT and AP Exams
The May SAT usually takes place on the first Saturday of the month.
- Initial Diagnostic Test: the previous December or earlier
- Get Your Materials: early January
- Begin Lessons: mid to late January
AP exams take place during the first two weeks of May. Day of the week and time of day for each exam vary by year. **Note: The College Board has not released any official full-length practice tests for the AP exams, but Compass has sample questions for most tests.
- Get Your Materials: early March
- Begin Lessons: mid to late March
June ACT and SAT
The June ACT usually takes place on the second Saturday of the month.
- Initial Diagnostic Test: January or earlier
- Get Your Materials: early February
- Begin Lessons: mid to late February
The June SAT is usually the first Saturday of the month.
- Initial Diagnostic Test: January or earlier
- Get Your Materials: early February
- Begin Lessons: mid to late February
July ACT
The July ACT usually occurs on the second or third Saturday of the month. **Note: the July ACT is not offered in New York.
- Initial Diagnostic Test: February or earlier
- Get Your Materials: early March
- Begin Lessons: mid-March to early April
August SAT
The August SAT usually takes place on the last or second to last Saturday of the month.
- Initial Diagnostic Test: March or earlier
- Get Your Materials: early April
- Begin Lessons: late April to mid-May
September ACT
The September ACT usually occurs on the second Saturday of the month.
- Initial Diagnostic Test: April or earlier
- Get Your Materials: early May
- Begin Lessons: mid to late May
October ACT and SAT
The October ACT is usually the last or second to last Saturday of the month.
- Initial Diagnostic Test: May or earlier
- Get Your Materials: early June
- Begin Lessons: mid-June to early July
The October SAT usually occurs on the first Saturday of the month.
- Initial Diagnostic Test: May or earlier
- Get Your Materials: early June
- Begin Lessons: mid to late June
November SAT
The November SAT usually takes place on the first Saturday of the month.
- Initial Diagnostic Test: June or earlier
- Get Your Materials: early July
- Begin Lessons: mid to late July
December ACT and SAT
The December ACT usually occurs on the second Saturday of the month.
- Initial Diagnostic Test: July or earlier
- Get Your Materials: early August
- Begin Lessons: mid to late August
The December SAT is usually the first Saturday of the month.
- Initial Diagnostic Test: July or earlier
- Get Your Materials: early August
- Begin Lessons: mid to late August
