Parents Test Prep Start Pack

Find the answers and resources you need to make the best testing decisions for your family!

1. Does my student need test scores to save money on college costs?

Test scores definitely help a lot, but they are not necessarily required! This article breaks down the steps of how to use test scores to earn financial aid and scholarships:

Article: “use your sat or act scores to get college scholarships”

Check out the latest episodes of The College Checklist podcast for in-depth guides to college admissions and how test scores fit into your college plan!

2. When should my student take the test?

This article explains the best time for students to take the SAT (or ACT!):

article: “When should you take the sat?”

And below you can find all of the upcoming test and registration dates:

Registration usually closes 2-4 weeks before test day, but seats can get snapped up fast, so register as early as possible!

ACT Test DatesACT Registration DatesACT Score Release Dates
February 8, 2025Jan. 3rdFeb. 18th
April 5, 2025Feb. 28thApril 15th
June 14, 2025May 9thJune 24th
July 12th, 2025June 6thJuly 22nd
September 2025*t.b.d.t.b.d.
October 2025*t.b.d.t.b.d.
December 2025*t.b.d.t.b.d.

*Specific ACT test dates for Fall 2025 have not yet been announced.

SAT Test DateSAT Registration DatesSAT Score Release Dates
March 8, 2025Feb. 21stMarch 21st
May 3, 2025Apr. 18thMay 16th
June 7, 2025May 22ndJune 20th
August 23, 2025t.b.d.t.b.d.
September 13, 2025t.b.d.t.b.d.
October 4, 2025t.b.d.t.b.d.
November 8, 2025t.b.d.t.b.d.
December 6, 2025t.b.d.t.b.d.
register for the official act here
register for the official sat here

3. How much do the tests cost and how do I register?

We have a full cost break-down and a detailed guide to registering for the tests in our free Parent Guide to the SAT and ACT below!

4. My student needs extra time, how do we apply for accommodations?

These are step-by-step instructions on how to apply for accommodations on the SAT/PSAT and ACT:

Article: “accommodations for the SAT/PSAT” article: “accommodations for the ACT”

5. How should my student be preparing for the tests?

Students can start by diagnosing their specific testing barriers: Are they an anxious test-taker? Do they need review on math? Do they have trouble getting to all of the questions?

This article breaks down how to diagnose and resolve testing issues:

article: “Common sat and act hang-ups and how to target them”

6. How much do Higher Scores courses cost and what’s included?

Our SAT and ACT courses come in two main packages: The Sprint courses for students with a short amount of time to prepare or a smaller budget, or the Comprehensive courses for students with time to cover every single question type in detail.

Sprint Courses

$170

Improve your SAT or ACT score in a week with strategies proven to improve your score!

  • ACT or SAT courses
  • New and Improved Online Classroom
  • Flexible 6-Day Study Guide
  • Learn the secrets of the test in 4 hours of videos
  • Downloadable materials delivered immediately
  • Detailed Quiz Score Reports
  • Ongoing Email Support from Test-Prep Teachers
  • 90 Days of access
  • Discount on Cash for College course ($97 value)

Most Sprint students test once or twice after they prepare. Youโ€™ll have access to the Sprint course for 3 months so youโ€™ll have plenty of time to take advantage of all of the resources available, including the special bonus!

Buy now

Comprehensive Courses

$650

Challenge yourself, breakthrough your blocks, and earn your most remarkable score possible!

  • New and Improved Online SAT or ACT Classroom
  • Flexible 18-Day Study Guide
  • Learn the Secrets of Every Single Question Type for Each Subject
  • Full-Length Practice Tests
  • Ongoing Email Support from Test-Prep Teachers
  • Detailed Quiz Score Reports
  • 365 Days of Access
  • Special Bonus: Cash for College course ($97 Value)

Most Complete Package students test two or three times after they prepare. Youโ€™ll have access to the Comprehensive Package course for 12 months so you can have a unified approach to testing throughout your journey.

buy now

Explore our full course list here!

$97
SAT Writing Prep: Grammar and Synthesis
$97
Digital SAT Reading Prep: Vocabulary and Text Analysis
$97
Digital SAT Math prep: Statistics and Geometry
$97
Digital SAT Math Prep: Intermediate and Advanced Algebra
$650
Digital SAT Comprehensive (1)
$170
Digital SAT Sprint
$195
$95
Cash for college
$170
Online ACT Sprint
$650
Online ACT Comprehensive

Boost your SAT English Score with Targeted Practice
>


Increase your SAT Math score with specialized courses
>


Choose the right SAT Course to earn your goal score >

Find a Course to help win College Scholarships here >

Explore the best ACT courses for your college goals here >

Hear about our courses from other parents:

Both of my sons loved it!

My sonโ€™s score went up significantly by taking the Higher Scores Test Prep SAT course.ย He was able to be independent in his studying but had support.ย My younger son will be doing this program when it is time for him to get ready for his SATs.
Laurie M.
– SAT Comprehensive

5-Star Service!

Our son David began his SAT prep just weeks before his final attempt to raise his score.ย He raised his score by 60 points!ย Those 60 pointsย landed him an additional scholarship for $4,000!ย I’m a believer.
Tracey W.
– SAT Sprint

She was absolutely thrilled

One of my children has never been a good test taker,ย but she implemented the Higher Scores strategies and found that they really worked!ย Her scores in English and Reading were each 3 points higher than her practice test.
Betsy S.
– ACT Sprint

Boom! She scored a 33!

Boom! … That was the first word out of my daughter’s mouth when she got her December ACT score back. She tossed her phone to me and I quickly found out why… she scored a 33! I couldn’t be more proud of her. She was diligent studying the material, and it paid off!
Mike B.
– ACT Comprehensive

Review when it’s convenient

My son has a very busy sports schedule running XC and Track year round. We also had vacations planned and he couldn’t take advantage of the SAT review sessions offered by his school. Luckily, I found Higher Scores Test Prep. He was able to review when it’s convenient for him, even when we went on vacations. My son was very happy with his SAT score. Earlier this month, we received the news we have been hoping for. He was accepted at his top pick for Engineering school!
Christine M.
– SAT Comprehensive

Frequently Asked Questions:

Our courses primarily focus on helping you find your testing confidence by showing you ways to hack the tests from the strategic angle. Our content is all about helping you understand the test-makers and how the test is put together so that you can excel even if you don’t have 100% of the concepts memorized.

Unfortunately, the official test-makers have no real incentive to show you how to hack their exam, so working with their official review materials can only get you so far. To maximize your final score, you’ll need to learn a tried and true strategic approach like the one we teach in our courses.

On average, ACT prep students realize 3-5 points of improvement.

On average, our SAT prep students realize 80-160 points of improvement.

The sprint courses can be completed in as few as six hours, though we recommend working through them over the course of a week!

Students taking the Comprehensive courses ideally should complete the full 18-lesson study guide prior to their first exam over the course of three to twelve weeks.

You’ll need a computer with an internet connection to access the video tutorials for the program. At registration, you’ll be prompted to create an account which will give you access to your courses at any time.

All prep materials for the courses are accessible in the relevant lessons under the “Materials” tabs. The lessons are organized by “days” which include all of the lessons and homework we recommend you complete in one study day. You can find an overview of the schedule on the Study Guide which will be emailed to you (and available for download under Course Materials) when you register.

If you choose to follow the study guide, it organizes the video tutorials from the course alongside free official practice tests from College Board or ACT, as well as some in-house quizzes to track your progress.

All of our courses come with easy-access question forms that go directly to our test prep teachers.

Students can get help on the courses, tests, platforms, and anything else they might be curious about at the click of a button. Our team of teachers have been working with these tests for over 25 years, and they will be available for whatever you might need.

We’d love to answer them! Just fill out our contact form, and we’ll get back to you shortly.

Score Higher Today!

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