What Students Can Expect Each Week

We want families to have a clear picture of what effective test prep looks like in practice. When students work with Premier—whether in a 1-on-1 setting or a small group class—they can expect a focused, time-limited commitment that leads to meaningful score gains.

Weekly Commitments

Most students will have about 5–7 hours per week of test-prep work, including:

  • Weekly class or session with a tutor (1-2 hours). Either in a small group class or one-on-one.

  • Practice test nearly every week (2-3 hours). We encourage students to take their tests in the realistic proctored setting at our Ambler location on weekend mornings. But students are always able to take tests at home if they can’t make it.

    • A standard time practice test lasts just over 2 hours. An extended time practice test takes over 3 hours. For extended time students, we may give full practice tests a bit less frequently or modify them so the workload stays manageable.

  • Targeted practice assignments (2-3 hours). These assignments are customized to each student’s specific needs and patterns, even in our group classes (we use adaptive systems to individualize practice). This is where students have the most control over their progress: the more focused effort they put in, the more improvement we typically see.

Over 6–8 weeks of this level of work, most students are able to make significant progress, which is why we tend to recommend shorter, intensive prep windows rather than dragging test prep out for many months or years.

Test Prep Time Commitment in Context

We know high schoolers are busy, so our expectations are designed to not overwhelm and consume their lives.

  • The weekly time commitment is less than half of what a student might spend on a typical school sport, closer to 20% of what an intensive sport or activity may require.

  • Test prep has a similar time commitment to many part-time jobs for high schoolers, except test prep can potentially lead to $100,000+ in merit scholarships. A lot better than $12/hour, right?

Individualized Plans and Flexibility

This is just a rough idea of what to expect. Every student’s situation is different, and we customize prep plans for each student. If you ever have questions about whether the workload is appropriate—or how to help your student get the most out of their prep—we’re always happy to talk.