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Building Your Foundation for Testing Success!

SAT®/ACT® Test Prep Essentials

Small Classes
with BIG Impacts

Better Info. Greater Possibilities.

Are you unsure whether to prepare for the ACT or digital SAT? These 12 hours of small group instruction and two practice tests are designed to lay a test prep foundation and help you make the decision that’s right for you.

Fall & Winter 2024 Classes

Cost: $595

  • Focused 6-lesson courses
  • Each class meets for 2 hours
  • Math and Reading assessments with advanced score reports
  • A flexible online proctored session for completing your initial assessment; makeup testing sessions available
  • Homework designed to reinforce in-class learning
  • Access to recordings of each session throughout the duration of your class
  • A practice ACT and practice digital SAT
  • The Compass Guide to College Admission Testing
  • Sections limited to 15 students
Getting Started

Students start with an online proctored quiz to evaluate their existing Math and Verbal skills and complete the course with a practice ACT and SAT. Students leave the course with a far more informed understanding of how to choose between the two tests. Throughout the course, they build math, reading, and writing content knowledge that serves as a foundation for formal test prep.

Compass Instructors

Compass expert instructors specialize in inspiring high school students. They are among the most experienced in the industry, averaging over 1000 tutoring hours. Engaging, positive role models, our teachers make learning strategies and reviewing content fun and effective.

Stepping Stone to Success
What Comes Next?
Many students use our essentials program as a launchpad for test prep. We recommend following this course with either customized private test prep tutoring or enrolling in a test prep course aimed at your selected official test date.

Preview Our Platform, Practice Tests, & Score Reports

Sophisticated Score Reports (Features)

Advanced Diagnostics

To help you get where you want to go, we want to see where you currently stand. Our practice test score reports provide a detailed portrait of your testing strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to make recommendations tailored to your personal needs.

  • Interactive Score Reports for a much deeper dive into your diagnostics
  • Digital Adaptive Testing to mirror the multistage adaptive design on test day
  • SAT/ACT Comparison Tool to determine your best path forward for admissions
  • Percentile Ranking Tool to show how different score gains will improve your competitive standing among your peers
  • Similar Scorers Chart to illustrate how students with commensurate testing ability performed on each of the questions
  • Question flagging to review specific questions that you got right but didn’t fully understand
  • Attractor Answers to show which trap answers you did and didn’t fall for
  • Question Performance Tab to show how you fared in specific areas
Digital Practice Test (Demo)

Compass Testing Center

Piloted through our partnerships with hundreds of leading high schools around the nation, practice tests for the new digital SAT are now available to individual students. Tests are self-administered and score reports are released the same day. Students will get a feel for the new test format including:

  • New question formats
  • Shorter reading passages
  • Updated timing
  • Digital interface mimics the real test 
  • Adaptive structure and scoring

Want to learn more? Take a tour of the Online Testing Center.

Note: The demo must be accessed through Safari, Chrome, or Firefox on a laptop, desktop, or tablet. Mobile phones are not supported.

DEMO TESTING CENTER

What Makes Us Different

Modern Approach

Master the topics and strategies that will help improve your score elegantly and efficiently—without risking your grades, extracurricular activities, or academic-life balance. Compass classes combine our seasoned instructors, curriculum perfected over 30 years, and technology that keeps students empowered, informed, and on-track.

Maximizing student outcomes most often comes down to five key areas:

  1. Cutting edge technology designed to give students every advantage possible
  2. Data-driven test-taking strategies proven to help students hit their target scores
  3. Highly personalized learning environments where students can thrive
  4. Transparent, timely, and efficient communication with real-time feedback
  5. Cooperative teamwork to ensure the student, family, & instructors are working effectively together
Compass Guarantee

Compass is an integrity-driven company and we are the best in the business at test prep. We put students first, give them everything they need to succeed, and teach them exactly how to hit their target score on test day. Our track record is impeccable. We have the most effective technology, utilize proven processes, offer 100% transparency, and have been setting the test prep curve for over two decades.

Diagnostic Tools

To help you get where you want to go, we need to know where you currently stand and how you are progressing.

Our interactive score reports are game changers – providing detailed portraits of your gaps and opportunities, allowing us to tailor your test prep strategy to your personal needs.

  • Percentile Ranking Tool to show how score gains will improve your competitive standing
  • Similar Scorers Chart to illustrate how students with commensurate testing ability performed on each question
  • Question flagging so you can review specific questions later that you got right but didn’t fully understand
  • Attractor Answers to show which trap answers you did and didn’t fall for
  • Question Performance Tab to display how well you fared on specific content areas
  • SAT/ACT Comparison Tool to help determine which test will provide the highest admissions value for you
Top Ranked Tutors
Play Video

Tutor Spotlight

Compass is a company of tutors unlike any other. Our group tutoring instructors are hand selected from top ranking academic experts who not only have the highest levels of test prep acumen but the ability to transfer that knowledge in a dynamic and effective manner.

There are no contractors or temps. Every tutor is a full Compass employee with a proven track record and an average of 1000+ hours helping students absolutely shine on test day.

Fall & Winter 2024 Classes

Classes Include:

Cost: $595

  • Focused 6-lesson courses
  • Twice-weekly or thrice-weekly live online classes that meet for 2 hours
  • Math and Reading assessments with advanced score reports
  • A flexible online proctored session for completing your initial assessment; makeup testing sessions available
  • Homework designed to reinforce in-class learning
  • Access to recordings of each session throughout the duration of your class
  • A practice ACT and practice digital SAT
  • The Compass Guide to College Admission Testing
  • Sections limited to 15 students
Getting Started

Students start with an online proctored quiz to evaluate their existing Math and Verbal skills and complete the course with a practice ACT and SAT. Students leave the course with a far more informed understanding of how to choose between the two tests. Throughout the course, they build math, reading, and writing content knowledge that serves as a foundation for formal test prep.

Compass Instructors

Compass expert instructors specialize in inspiring high school students. They are among the most experienced in the industry, averaging over 1000 tutoring hours. Engaging, positive role models, our teachers make learning strategies and reviewing content fun and effective.

Stepping Stone to Success
What Comes Next?
Many students use our essentials program as a launchpad for test prep. We recommend following this course with either customized private test prep tutoring or enrolling in a test prep course aimed at your selected official test date.

SAT/ACT Essentials

Target Test Date

Class Type

Test Type

Online/In-Person

Test Type Target Test Date Classes Range Days & Times Class Format Price Class Details

Featured in:

Test Prep Essentials Resources

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What Makes Us Different

Modern Approach

Master the topics and strategies that will help improve your score elegantly and efficiently—without risking your grades, extracurricular activities, or sanity. Compass classes combine our seasoned instructors, curriculum perfected over 30 years, and technology that keeps students empowered, informed, and on-track.

Maximizing student outcomes most often comes down to five key areas:

  1. Cutting edge technology designed to give students every advantage possible
  2. Data-driven test-taking strategies proven to help students hit their target scores
  3. Highly personalized learning environments where students can thrive
  4. Transparent, timely, and efficient communication with real-time feedback
  5. Cooperative teamwork to ensure the student, family, & instructors are working effectively together
Compass Guarantee

Compass is an integrity-driven company and we are the best in the business at test prep. We put students first, give them everything they need to succeed, and teach them exactly how to hit their target score on test day. Our track record is impeccable. We have the most effective technology, utilize proven processes, offer 100% transparency, and have been setting the test prep curve for over two decades.

Don’t Trust Money-Back Score Guarantees: They are rarely honored, always have fine print, never come without a big fight, kick in too late for the best possible student outcome, and are designed to put financial pressure on tutors, which adds stress to students.

Diagnostic Tools

To help you get where you want to go, we need to know where you currently stand and how you are progressing.

Our interactive score reports are game changers – providing detailed portraits of your gaps and opportunities, allowing us to tailor your test prep strategy to your personal needs.

  • Percentile Ranking Tool to show how score gains will improve your competitive standing
  • Similar Scorers Chart to illustrate how students with commensurate testing ability performed on each question
  • Question flagging so you can review specific questions later that you got right but didn’t fully understand
  • Attractor Answers to show which trap answers you did and didn’t fall for
  • Question Performance Tab to display how well you fared on specific content areas
  • SAT/ACT Comparison Tool to help determine which test will provide the highest admissions value for you
Top Ranked Tutors
Play Video

Tutor Spotlight

Compass is a company of tutors unlike any other. Our group tutoring instructors are hand selected from top ranking academic experts who not only have the highest levels of test prep acumen but the ability to transfer that knowledge in a dynamic and effective manner.

There are no contractors or temps. Every tutor is a full Compass employee with a proven track record and an average of 1000+ hours helping students absolutely shine on test day.

Nothing makes us happier than helping our students reach their SAT goals.

The instructor was the best part 100%. I got excited to come to the class every Saturday morning at 7am because of him. The questions he asked always made it feel like a community, and I really feel 10x more prepared because of him.

Compass Classes Student11th Grader at Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences

The course was exactly what we were hoping for. Our instructors were enthusiastic, friendly, and always open to questions.

Parent of an 11th GraderNewbury Park High School

The tutoring and testing plan developed by Compass resulted in my son increasing his SAT score 190 points from his PSAT. Not only was this crucial in his college application/admission process where he received direct admission to prestigious programs like the Kelley School at Indiana University, but it resulted in him getting scholarships at every school he was admitted to.

Dan G.Parent of Tyler, 12th Grader at San Marino High School

Our daughter’s ACT score jumped from 28 on her first practice test to a whopping 34 on the actual test. The reason? Some amazing tutors from Compass. Both Compass tutors were true masters of their craft, plugging into opportunities for improvement and helping our daughter learn critical test-taking strategies. We could not be more pleased with the support that Compass provided and the exceptional results that they helped our daughter achieve.

Tom T.Father of Zoe, 11th Grader at Greenhill School

I deeply appreciate the passion for teaching and kind patience that both of my instructors demonstrated throughout the sessions. Each teacher was engaging and attentive.

Alanu U.11th Grader at Dwight Global Online School

Our daughter took the SAT with no tutoring or practice beforehand and scored a 1290. After tutoring with Compass, she improved her score by 190 points. Compass' expertise and helpful, patient and knowledgeable staff were absolutely key to not only the significant improvement in her score, but also her subsequent acceptance to a top Ivy League college. We are over the moon thrilled with Compass and would highly recommend their services to anyone!

Jenny A.Parent of Alex, 12th Grader at Harvard-Westlake

Compass provided the preparation structure and strategies necessary for our daughter to have a successful ACT experience. The tutors and directors were terrific partners throughout the program. I would highly recommend Compass to any student/family looking to enhance your collective understanding, approach, and performance related to college entrance exams.

Tracey G.Mother of Marin, 12th grader at John Burroughs School

We are so pleased with our experience with Compass. The tutors are very professional, always on time and really helped our daughter. The results were even better than we had hoped for.

Denise W.Mother of Makena, 11th Grader at Flintridge Prep

Get Your Free Compass Prep SAT Guide!