New: Mindset Reflections for ACT & SAT Prep Students Taking Practice Exams

Have a student enrolled in one of Test Prep Chicago’s ACT or SAT Prep courses, one-day workshops, or individual tutoring? We have great news: TPC has now implemented new, advanced analytical tools on our testing platform, Testpress, to help your student better understand their performance on our practice exams.

Once a student completes a Diagnostic or Final exam with us as part of one of our courses, or a Palooza Test as part of one of our one-day workshops, they receive access to detailed testing analytics, including information on their performance on each section, how many questions they left unanswered, how long they took on each question and each section, and more. Students also receive access to answer explanations for each question seen on the exam, regardless of whether they got it correct or not. 

Additionally, as students review the provided answer explanations for each question, they are now able to submit Mindset Reflections for any questions they answered incorrectly. Once submitted, students can access a detailed breakdown of their reflections, along with insights drawn from the pre- and post-exam questionnaires. This tool helps students understand why mistakes are occurring, identify recurring error patterns, and receive tailored test-taking strategies to support meaningful improvement as they continue to work toward success on the ACT and SAT.

If there is ever any confusion regarding how to use TPC’s Mindset Tool or access analytics on Tespress, students and parents alike can refer to our Testpress Tutorial Video (linked here). This video provides a step-by-step overview of how to log in to the platform, access materials, retake exams, review testing analytics, submit Mindset Reflections, and interpret the results. Parents are also welcome to reach out to our team, info@testprepchicago.com, with any questions at any time.

Have a student who is not yet enrolled in a course or workshop? There’s still time! TPC will be running one-day workshops (click here) for the ACT through early April, aligning perfectly with April ACT testing dates. Note that TPC is a Licensed Provider of Official ACT® Content, and our material includes Officially Licensed ACT® Content. For students looking for one-on-one prep, TPC offers individual tutoring (click here) for students taking either or both the ACT and SAT; individual students also get access to testing analytics and the benefits of Mindset Reflections!

High School Entrance Exam Dates Announced for 2026–2027 Cycle — Prep Options Now Open

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has officially announced test dates for the 2026–2027 high school admissions cycle. Below, find a list of key dates, along with test prep options from Test Prep Chicago!

Key Test Dates:

CPS High School Admissions Test (CPS HSAT)

• Oct. 8: CPS Students

• Oct. 15: Alternative Language Testing

• Oct. 18, 19, 25, 26: Non-CPS Students

The GoCPS application portal will open Sept. 23 at 10 AM and close Nov. 14 at 5 PM. You can learn more at go.cps.edu.

Parochial School Entrance Exam (HSPT)

• Dec. 6 (First Saturday in December)

Registration and details are handled by the individual schools.

Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE)

• Fall: August–November

• Winter: December–March

• Spring: April–July

Students may take the ISEE once per season. Learn more on ERB’s website here.

Prep with Test Prep Chicago:

TPC offers a range of prep options to help students get ready for all of these High School Entrance Exams:

• 16-Hour Courses: Focused on math, reading, and test strategies for the HSAT, HSPT, and ISEE. Includes diagnostic/final exams and supplemental material. Click here to sign up.

• One-Day Palooza Workshops: A four-hour workshop simulating real test environments with pizza lunch and step-by-step review included. Click here to sign up.

• Individual Tutoring: Personalized sessions using the full prep curriculum for students seeking one-on-one support. Click here to sign up.

The Importance of Test Preparation and How It Translates Beyond the Classroom

Standardized tests are a consistent part of life, from school assessments to professional certifications. Unlike intelligence or aptitude tests, these exams measure acquired skills, which can be improved through deliberate practice. As a result, test preparation is a powerful tool that not only raises test scores but also builds broader academic and personal skills. Effective test prep delivers targeted strategies, repeated exposure to test formats, and enhanced familiarity with content, which significantly boost a student’s confidence and performance.

One of the key benefits of test preparation is the development of executive function skills, such as time management, organization, and planning. These skills are not only crucial for academic performance but also highly transferable to other aspects of life, including college coursework and professional responsibilities. Test prep teaches students to build study plans, prioritize their weaknesses, and manage the stress and logistics of test day, all of which contribute to long-term success beyond the exam itself.

Test preparation also acts as a diagnostic tool, helping students identify their specific academic weaknesses and tailor their study efforts accordingly. By working through practice tests and receiving feedback, students can better understand their learning styles and adapt more effective study habits. This process of self-assessment not only improves performance on the specific standardized test but fosters deeper academic awareness and adaptability.

Perhaps most importantly, test preparation instills a growth mindset. As students face challenges, make mistakes, and improve through hard work, they develop resilience, discipline, and a sense of agency. The journey from feeling like a “bad tester” to seeing tangible results reinforces the belief that effort leads to achievement. This emotional growth, combined with academic skill-building, ensures that the impact of test prep extends well beyond test day and becomes a foundational part of a student’s personal development.

ACT Enhancements

The ACT has made major structural changes to the exam that will be implemented in the coming months. The ACT will now have 44 fewer questions and students will receive more time to answer each question. The length of the test in total will be reduced to 125 minutes rather than 195 minutes as in previous years. Students will also have the option to opt out of the science section unlike previous years.

Math and English portions of the exam will be adjusted slightly. For math questions, the ACT will be eliminating a response option from each question. Options that are rarely chosen or of poor quality will be removed from the exam, leaving four potential answers rather than five. Additionally, when questions contain a graphic, answer options that can be easily eliminated by looking at the image will be removed from the test. This is designed to match the format of other assessments and improve the test-taking experience for students.

During the English section, students will be provided with clear instructions for each question. Previously, portions of text would be underlined or numbered to denote which phrases pertain to each grammar and language question. However, no instructions were given for each individual question, so students needed to reference the instructions at the beginning of the section. This will no longer be the case, as the ACT will provide instructions for each question such as “which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?” followed by the answer choices. Additionally, the “No Change” options will be bolded so they are easier to see. These changes are being introduced to promote clarity for all students.

ACT enhancements will begin going into effect starting in April of 2025 for students taking the exam online. By September of 2025, all students taking the exam on paper or online will receive these benefits as well. The adjustments will be reflected in all schools and districts by spring of 2026.

Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

Final Paper SAT on December 2, 2023

December 2nd, 2023, which is the final SAT date of 2023, also signifies the final administration of the traditional paper-based SAT. The College Board has decided to exclusively shift to a digital format moving forward, representing a significant transition in standardized testing methods. Students in the USA, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, will take the new digital test starting in March of 2024, while international students have had the option to take the new digital SAT since March of this year.

The paper SAT has been a longstanding tradition, but with this final administration, the College Board is embracing technology and emphasizing adaptability and innovation in testing practices. To read more about the digital SAT, click here.

Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266