Go to the Scores tab in the mobile app and tap '+ Log Score'. Enter your SAT or ACT score by section. This creates your baseline and activates personalised coaching.
2
Open the AI Test Prep Coach
In the Teen tab, tap the 'Coaching' sub-tab. The AI Readiness Assessment shows your current vs. target score gap, suggests which test to focus on (SAT or ACT), and generates a personalised study strategy.
3
Set a target score
In the Coaching sub-tab, tap 'Set Target Score'. Choose an SAT or ACT target aligned with the schools on your list — the AI coach references this target in every recommendation.
4
Take Mini Practice Tests
In the Teen tab, tap the 'Practice' sub-tab. Scroll to 'Mini Practice Tests', filter by ACT or SAT, and pick a section (English, Math, Reading, Science, or R&W). AI-generated questions load instantly — no external app needed.
5
Review your answers
After submitting a practice test, every question is shown with your answer, the correct answer highlighted, and your scaled score (ACT 1–36 or SAT section score). Save the score to your profile to track improvement over time.
6
Use free practice resources
The Practice sub-tab also links to Khan Academy SAT Prep, ACT Academy, and College Board score reports — all free. Use these alongside mini tests for deep subject practice.
7
Track progress in My Journey
Go to the Journey tab → Progress to see your Test Prep track score as part of your overall College Readiness Index. Consistent daily practice and saved test scores both contribute to your score.
Tap the 'Teen' tab in the mobile app's bottom navigation. If your teen hasn't been invited yet, send an invite first. Once linked, all sub-tabs reflect your teen's live data.
2
Review the Coaching sub-tab
Tap 'Coaching' to see the AI Test Prep Coach summary: your teen's current SAT/ACT scores, their target score, and the AI's personalised strategy. You can see at a glance if your teen is on track or falling behind their target.
3
Check score history in the Scores tab
The Scores tab (bottom nav) shows every logged SAT and ACT score with date, section breakdown, and trend over time. Both parent and teen can log scores here.
4
Monitor the College Readiness Index
In the Teen tab, tap 'Journey' (or use the dedicated Journey tab). The Progress sub-tab shows a 4-track readiness index: Academic, Test Prep, Application, and Financial — each scored out of 25. This gives a quick overall health check.
5
Manage extracurricular activities
Tap the 'Activities' sub-tab in the Teen tab. Add clubs, sports, volunteering, leadership roles, and awards. These feed directly into scholarship matching and the Application track of the Readiness Index.
6
Set goals and challenges
Go to the Parent tab → Goals. Create a new goal tied to a test prep milestone (e.g. 'Score 1300+ on May SAT') with a reward. Your teen is notified via push and the goal appears in their My Journey Goals view.
7
Use the AI Financial Coach for context
Tap the Parent tab → Financial. The AI coach can answer questions like 'How much does test prep tutoring affect our funding gap?' — giving you the financial context alongside the academic picture.
On your Overview dashboard, scroll to the 'SECURE 2.0 Roth Tracker' card. This tracks the $35,000 lifetime rollover benefit.
2
Set your 529 open date
Enter the date your 529 plan was opened. The 529 must be open for at least 15 years before rollovers are allowed. CollegeCountdown will tell you exactly when you become eligible.
3
Link your 529 (optional)
If you link your 529 via Plaid, the tracker automatically pulls your current balance and calculates how much is available to roll over.
4
Log a rollover
Once eligible, click 'Log a Rollover'. Enter the amount and tax year. CollegeCountdown enforces both the $35K lifetime cap and the annual Roth IRA contribution limit (~$7,000).
5
Track remaining capacity
The lifetime cap progress bar shows how much of the $35,000 you've used and how much remains across all rollovers.
6
Stay compliant
CollegeCountdown tracks rollovers against annual limits automatically. Always consult a tax advisor before executing rollovers — the SECURE 2.0 §126 rules apply.
In the mobile app, tap the Teen tab and then the 'Practice' sub-tab.
2
Find Mini Practice Tests
Scroll below the AI Coach card to the 'Mini Practice Tests' section. Use the ACT / SAT filter buttons to narrow by test type.
3
Choose a section
Tap any section card — ACT English (10 Qs), ACT Math (10 Qs), ACT Reading (8 Qs), ACT Science (8 Qs), SAT Reading & Writing (10 Qs), or SAT Math (10 Qs). Questions are AI-generated and fresh each session.
4
Answer the questions
Tap A, B, C, or D for each question. A progress bar shows how far along you are. Navigate with the Previous / Next buttons.
5
Submit and see your score
Once all questions are answered, tap 'Submit & Score'. Your raw correct count converts to a scaled score: ACT sections use the official 1–36 scale; SAT uses section scoring (200–800).
6
Review every answer
After submission, every question is shown with your choice highlighted and the correct answer marked in green. Use this to understand exactly where you went wrong.
7
Save your score
Tap 'Save Score to Profile' to record the result. Saved scores appear in your Test Prep history and count toward the Test Prep track of your College Readiness Index.
8
Resume a test you didn't finish
If you close the app mid-test, a blue 'Resume' banner appears at the top of the section picker next time you open Practice. Tap it to continue exactly where you left off.
Tap the 'My Day' tab (calendar icon) at the bottom of the teen's screen. It's a dedicated tab separate from the Teen and Journey tabs.
2
Generate today's plan
If no plan exists yet, tap 'Generate Today's Plan'. The AI builds a schedule based on your logged scores, upcoming test dates, active milestones, and extracurricular profile. Generation takes a few seconds.
3
Understand your plan
Each item shows a time slot, category (SAT Math 📐, Essay ✍️, Scholarship 🏆, etc.), estimated duration in minutes, and difficulty: Warm Up (green), Core Focus (red), or Challenge (purple).
4
Work through your tasks
Tap 'Done' on each item as you complete it. Tap 'Skip' to pass on one. Your completion percentage bar updates live at the top of the screen.
5
Follow resource links
Some tasks include a tappable resource link (e.g. a Khan Academy lesson or College Board practice). Tap it to open the material in your browser.
6
Regenerate if needed
If today's plan feels mismatched, tap 'Regenerate Plan' inside the theme card. A fresh plan is generated instantly.
7
Track your streak
Daily completion counts are tracked in the Journey tab → Progress. Consistently completing your My Day plan lifts the Test Prep track score in your College Readiness Index.
Review the colleges on your teen's list. Each school has its own aid deadline — many are between November and February. Missing these means missing aid.
2
Gather tax documents
FAFSA uses prior-prior year taxes. For 2025–26, you'll need your 2023 federal tax return. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to link it directly.
3
Review 529 balance
Your linked 529 balance on CollegeCountdown reflects exactly what you'll need to report on FAFSA as a parent asset (reported at ~5.6% impact on Expected Family Contribution).
4
Check your FSA ID
Both parent and student need an FSA ID to sign FAFSA. Create one at studentaid.gov at least a few days before you plan to file.
5
Note all assets
Report savings, investment accounts, and 529 balances. Retirement accounts (401k, IRA) are NOT reported on FAFSA.
6
File as early as possible
FAFSA opens October 1. Many schools give aid on a first-come, first-served basis. Filing on day one maximises your chance of the best package.