Reenergize Your Test Prep in 2025: Fresh Ideas to Boost ACT® & SAT® Success
The new year is a fantastic opportunity to attract new students and better serve those beginning their test-prep journey this January. It is also the perfect opportunity to reenergize your ACT® and SAT® prep courses. With many students choosing to start their test prep in January, you have a unique opportunity to provide them with a structured, supportive, and dynamic environment that sets the stage for their success on the upcoming spring ACT® and SAT®s. By implementing innovative strategies and embracing the enthusiasm that a new year brings, you can create an engaging and effective test-prep program that meets the evolving needs of your clients.
9 Fresh Ideas and New Strategies for Test Prep in 2025
Here are several ideas and strategies to rejuvenate your offerings and more effectively engage your clients in this new year:
1. Develop a Comprehensive January Kickoff Program
Start Strong with Orientation Sessions: Host an introductory workshop or webinar in January to help new clients understand the importance of early ACT® and SAT® prep, how to set goals, and how to create personalized study plans.
Highlight the Benefits of Early Preparation: Emphasize how starting a test-prep plan in January provides ample time to build a strong foundation, reduce stress, and improve scores before the upcoming ACT® and SAT® spring dates.
2. Update and Diversify Your Curriculum
Incorporate the Latest Test Changes: Ensure your materials reflect any ACT® and SAT® formats, content, or scoring updates.
*See Big Changes to the ACT®: What We Know So Far and New Digital SAT® Insights: Comparing Scores and Strategies for recent updates.
Add Interactive Elements: Use interactive content quizzes and online modules to make studying more engaging.
Offer Modular Courses: Provide options for students to focus on specific sections of the test (e.g., Math, Reading, Writing, Science) based on their individual academic needs.
3. Leverage Technology and Online Resources
Implement Learning Management Systems (LMS): Use platforms like Clear Choice Prep to organize course materials, track progress, and facilitate communication through your own branded web application.
Provide Access to Practice Tests: Offer regular, timed ACT®/SAT®-aligned practice exams that mimic the actual test format and environment to build familiarity and confidence.
Utilize Virtual Tutoring: Offer one-on-one or small group virtual sessions for flexibility and to cater to different learning preferences. If you’re not already offering online tutoring, we can help!
*Check out our posts: Extend Your Test-Prep Company's Reach With Online Tutoring and What You Need in Your Online Test-Prep Survival Kit to get your online tutoring started!
4. Engage and Motivate Your Students
Set Clear Milestones: Break down the study plan into manageable milestones with deadlines to keep students on track.
Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge achievements, whether completing a section, improving practice scores, or maintaining consistent study habits.
Foster a Supportive Community: Create forums or group chats where students can share study tips, ask questions, and support each other.
*Read our post, Why Clear Communication is Crucial for Success in Test Prep, for advice on creating a supportive community while maintaining clear communication with your students and their parents.
5. Enhance Instructor Training and Development
Provide Ongoing Professional Development: Ensure your tutors are up-to-date with the latest teaching strategies and test-taking techniques. *Check out ACT’s Professional Development Opportunities for Educators: How to Stay Ahead in 2025.
Encourage Specialization: Allow tutors to specialize in different sections of the ACT®/SAT® to provide deeper expertise and personalized support.
6. Implement Flexible Scheduling and Personalized Plans
Offer Various Class Formats: Provide options such as in-person classes, live online study sessions, and self-paced ACT® and SAT® courses to accommodate different client schedules and learning styles.
Personalize Study Plans: Tailor study plans based on initial diagnostic assessments to address each student’s academic strengths and weaknesses most effectively.
7. Market Your Revitalized Offerings Effectively
Highlight the January Start Advantage: Emphasize how beginning in January gives students a strategic advantage by allowing ample preparation time before spring tests.
Use Success Stories and Testimonials: Share testimonials from past clients who benefited from early preparation and improved their ACT®/SAT® scores.
Offer Free Practice Tests: Use authentic ACT®/SAT® practice tests with custom-branded score reports and give your students opportunities to practice while promoting your brand.
*Read our Free Ebook: How to Generate & Close Leads by Hosting Free Practice SAT® Tests.
Leverage Social Media and Email Campaigns: Promote your updated courses through targeted social media ads, informative blog posts, and regular newsletters.
8. Gather and Utilize Feedback
Conduct Regular Surveys: Collect client feedback to understand what’s working for your business and what needs improvement.
Adapt Based on Insights: Use your client feedback to continuously refine your courses, materials, and teaching methods to provide the best ACT®/SAT® prep for your students.
9. Create Incentives for Early Enrollment
Early Bird Discounts: Consider offering discounts or special packages for clients who enroll in January to start 2025 with new clients.
Referral Programs: Encourage your current clients to refer friends and family by providing incentives such as free sessions or discounts.
*Read our Free Ebook: Seven Mistakes Tutoring Companies Make for awesome and actionable suggestions.
Example Implementation Plan for January 2025:
Week 1:
Launch a marketing campaign highlighting the benefits of starting ACT®/SAT® prep in January.
Host a free webinar on creating effective ACT® and SAT® study plans and setting achievable academic goals.
Week 2-4:
Begin orientation sessions and initial assessments to personalize study plans.
Start regular sessions with an updated curriculum and ACT® and SAT®-aligned materials.
Ongoing:
Provide weekly ACT® and SAT® practice tests and review sessions.
Maintain active, clear communication with clients (students and their parents) through newsletters and online forums.
Monitor student progress and adjust study plans as needed based on performance and feedback.
By implementing these strategies, you can create a dynamic and supportive test-prep environment that attracts new clients starting in January and empowers current students to achieve their best possible scores on the ACT® and SAT®.
Upcoming Test Dates & Score Reporting
For more information, registration, and future test dates, please visit ACT’s Registration page or the ACT® Score Reporting page.
For more test dates, registration, and information, visit the SAT® Suite of Assessments page or the SAT® Score Release Dates page.
With these upcoming test dates just around the corner, be sure to promote ACT® and SAT® registration, share test-prep tips and strategies, and encourage your clients to book their post-test strategy sessions to review their test day performance.
January 2025: Federal Holidays and Fun Celebration Days
Kick off the new year by embracing a mix of meaningful federal holidays and delightful daily observances that can add a little fun and motivation to your test-prep program. Incorporate these special days into your January 2025 schedule to keep your students and employees engaged, inspired, and energized as they work toward those ACT® and SAT® goals!
Federal Holidays to Observe in January:
1: New Year’s Day
20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
20: Inauguration Day
January Daily Holidays and Observances:
8: National Clean Your Desk Day
Read: Challenge Your Students to “Kondo” Their Study Spaces for some great ideas!
12: Stick to Your New Year’s Resolution Day
The perfect day to remind your clients of their test-prep goals!
18: National Thesaurus Day
A fun way to celebrate National Thesaurus Day on social media is by hosting a "Synonym Challenge" that engages students in a creative and educational activity.
21: National Cheesy Socks Day
Encourage your team and students to show off those crazy socks you received for the holidays!
24: International Day of Education
Today is an awesome day to celebrate education around the globe!
25: Library Shelfie Day
Invite your students and staff to share photos of their favorite book-filled spaces—whether it’s a library visit, a cozy home bookshelf, or their favorite reading nook!
31: National Hot Chocolate Day
Celebrate this oh-so-yummy day by setting up a hot cocoa bar for clients and staff or maybe share your favorite hot cocoa recipe!
Month of January: National Book Blitz Month
Launch a reading challenge! Encourage your clients and staff to pick up where they’ve left off and finish those books they’ve started! This would make an awesome start to a monthly reading challenge or monthly book pick!
To help you get started, we’ve created a free “cheat sheet” for you with our January 2025 marketing calendar – feel free to download and use it for your test-prep marketing this month!
As you kick off this new year, try embracing a few of these fresh ideas and strategies to refresh your test-prep courses, attract new clients, and help your business thrive in 2025.
By fostering an engaging, supportive, and innovative learning environment, you can effectively attract and retain students who are committed to achieving their best scores on the ACT® and SAT®. Remember, the key to successful test prep lies in early planning, continuous motivation, and the ability to adapt to each student’s unique needs. With a revitalized approach and a clear implementation plan, like Clear Choice Prep’s, your test-prep program will not only meet but exceed the expectations of your clients, setting them—and your business—up for a successful year ahead.
Kickstart Your Test Prep in 2025!
The SAT® is now fully digital, and Clear Choice Prep is here to help your tutoring business excel.
Our digital courses feature adaptive practice tests with advanced scoring, giving your tutors the insights to deliver personalized instruction and boost student scores.
Ready to upgrade your services? Schedule a free demo today and see how our solutions can transform your team and help your students succeed.