A Parent’s Guide to Middle & High School Test Prep and Application Timeline
Thinking about switching schools or preparing for entrance exams? It can feel like a lot, but with the right timeline, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If your child is aiming for a competitive middle or high school, planning ahead is key. The process has a lot of moving parts — from touring schools to test prep, applications and interviews — but breaking it down into manageable steps makes everything easier.
Here is a complete walkthrough of our recommended timeline month by month so you can help your child stay on track and feel confident every step of the way.
January - March: Early Planning Phase
Now is the time to start exploring options. Some families already have a target school in mind, while others are just beginning to search. Either way, this is when you should start researching different schools and their admission requirements. Not all schools require entrance exams, but for those that do—like private, independent, and selective public schools—it’s crucial to know which tests your child will need to take.
What you can do:
Have an open conversation with your partner and child about their interests and goals. What kind of learning environment does your student thrive in? What extracurricular activities matter to them? Do they want to attend a day or boarding school, and what do you want as parents?
Visit school websites, attend virtual info sessions, and start creating a shortlist of potential schools.
Schedule a baseline test early on to assess your child’s readiness. This helps identify strengths and weaknesses early so you can build a smart study plan. We provide free baseline tests for all entrance exams - just reach out and someone on our team will reply within one business day.
April - June: Foundational Test Prep & School Visits
After a baseline you will have a clearer idea of where your child stands, so it’s time to get to work. If their baseline scores are below the 50th percentile, the next few months should focus on building foundational skills—especially in math, reading comprehension, and verbal reasoning.
What you can do:
Set up a structured study plan—small, consistent study sessions are far more effective than last-minute cramming. If needed, work with a tutor or test prep service for targeted practice.
Visit schools while they’re still in session. Seeing classrooms, meeting students, and experiencing the campus firsthand can help your child get a feel for the environment.
Help your student close out the year with great grades. After test scores, transcripts are the first thing admissions offices look at, so finishing the school year strong is essential. Intervene earlier rather than later with tutoring help in application years (the year a student applies and the year before).
Encourage strong relationships with current teachers and coaches. A glowing letter of recommendation can make a big difference in the application process.
July - August: Summer Prep, Register for Test Dates, & First Test Opportunities
With school out, summer is the perfect time to level up test prep when students have more time. By now, students should be working through full-length practice exams, improving weak areas, and getting comfortable with the format of their test (ISEE, SSAT, TACHS, SHSAT, etc.).
What you can do:
Create a realistic summer study schedule. An hour a day is plenty—consistency beats long, stressful cramming sessions.
Mix in different study techniques. Flashcards, timed practice tests, and active recall exercises (like explaining answers out loud) make studying more engaging and therefore effective.
Start drafting application essays. Independent schools typically require personal statements, and getting a head start now will relieve stress later.
Register for primary and backup testing dates
If your child is already scoring at target level in at least one section, they can take their first entrance exam in August to get an early score. Testing early leaves more time for retakes if needed.
Always schedule a backup date in case you need it. Ideal timing of the backup date varies considerably by test and student - we’re happy to guide you in your particular scenario.
September - October: Take Exams & Arrange Letters of Recommendation
Fall is prime test season! Students should now have strong test-taking stamina, thanks to months of preparation. Aside from taking the official exams, this is also the time to schedule school tours and practice interviews. Many top schools require interviews, so it’s important that students feel comfortable speaking about their interests, achievements, and goals.
What you can do:
Ask teachers and other recommendation writers early in the year before they get overwhelmed with requests.
Simulate test-day conditions by having your child take timed practice exams in a quiet environment. This helps reduce test anxiety and improves focus.
Practice interview questions together. A great way to build confidence is by role-playing common interview scenarios at home. Download our guide here.
Visit schools in person. If you didn’t get a chance earlier, now’s the time to see campuses up close.
November - January: Backup Testing & Application Finalization
With first rounds of test scores in hand, this is the time to focus on any lingering challenges and improve scores. Most schools allow superscoring, which means they take the highest section scores from multiple test sittings to compile a composite superscore.
Once final tests are finished, it’s time for essays and any remaining interviews.
What you can do:
Check all application requirements carefully. Every school has different deadlines, so double-check that everything—test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation—is submitted on time or preferably a few days early.
Encourage one last test attempt if needed. If a school allows superscoring, retaking the test in November or December can improve scores dramatically.
Help your child practice their interview skills & polish essays. The application essay process is often the most involved writing process a student has been involved with. Great application essays require multiple drafts and rewrites, and it’s normal for students to feel frustrated during this process. Start early and stick with it - the essays do matter.
Most schools have application deadlines between January 9 and February 1, so staying organized in these final months is crucial.
Final Thoughts: Making the Process Work for Your Family
The middle and high school admissions process can seem daunting, but with the right preparation, your child can enter test day and application season feeling confident and ready. The key is to start early, stay consistent, and break things down into manageable steps.
At Now Test Prep, we specialize in helping students master test-taking strategies, refine their application essays, and prepare for interviews with confidence. Whether your child needs to improve their scores, strengthen foundational skills, or craft a standout application, we’re here to support your family every step of the way.
Want to make sure your child is on the right track? Reach out to Now Test Prep today and let’s build a plan for their success!
