When to take the SAT?

My son took PSAT's his soph year. He'll take the SAT's late in the fall of his junior year after taking a prep course. He'll take them again in the spring. The scores are part of the profile he'll need next summer.

I don't think it's ever too early. I think my son took it the first time in the 10th grade. My daughter took it the summer after the 9th grade. It's good to take it early and see where you stand, decide whether you need to take a prep course, etc. What we were told is that most colleges "Super Score", meaning they take the highest math and highest verbal from various tests and use those in their decisions, AND in reporting their average SAT scores to the media.

Another reason to take it early is all of these early offers you see these days. Most schools want to see an SAT score before making the early offer.

redbird, good question.

1. Does your HS offer the PSAT in the fall (October)? I suggest he take that in October of his soph. year. Even if the school does not have it, there should be alternative testing sites posted on collegeboard.com It will not count, and he can get a fair read on his test taking ability. Although be aware that there are fewer points on the PSAT, and thus the curve is more difficult/narrow - so judge accordingly. Then obviously retake it again in Jr year as this is the test that counts - it is the qualifier for NMSQT awards, if you kid is at that level. Otherwise, take it anyway to see improvement from the prior year. You might consider studying him for it a little, but I would not be too concerned with that - only if he is at a high level. Just go take it, as it will set a start point for him.

2. How accelerated academically is your son? Will he be taking any advanced classes in his sophomore year - like PreCalc Honors, or Bio 2AP or Chem AP? Anything like that? If he is, then you might want to consider signing him up to take the relevant subject tests (old SAT IIS) in the June session. I would suggest Math IIC rather than IC. The reason for this is because he will top out on the subject matter on the test at about this time. He may be missing a tad on the Math test, but he can retake that to improve scores (he can take them all again, and should - unless he is taking these advanced subjects like the sciences in his sophomore year, then don't retake these subjects - other than Math, take others - as his knowledge base will go stale - hope that makes sense to you).

3. SAT I - The earliest I would consider taking this test is December of his Jr. year. You could take it earlier, but he will probably be short on the subject matter for the test. You can obviously take the test (as well as the ACT) as many times as you want, but it takes a lot of effort and time to prepare for these tests, and you don't want him to burn out on testing too early - it is a matter of timing and peaking at the right time.

4. Go to the relevant websites for SAT and ACT (SAT site I gave you above) - you will see that they run fairly opposite each other - that is to say, every other month. Testing in Jr year gets to be a major factor - and the last test most students can take that will count will be in Dec of Sr yr. Also, I would not suggest taking more than 3 of either the SAT I or the ACT. Research I have seen suggests that test scores generally improve with a second sitting, and may also improve at a third sitting, but then there really is not too much of an improvement, not to mention serious burn out from overtesting!

5. So, a plan may go something like this: Oct. of Soph year - PSAT, June of Soph year - SAT II subject tests where applicable - if not, then take them June of Jr year, and perhaps retake in the fall sitting of Sr year. Oct of Jr year - PSAT, Dec Jr year - SAT I; next sitting would be ACT, next sitting would be SAT I again (March of Jr year), April sitting would be ACT, May sitting would be SAT I (maybe not if he has a really good score from the first two sittings), June sitting would be SAT IIs (pick three based upon subjects your son is studying in his Jr year - what AP or honors classes is he in at the time - pick those subjects). If he is a history nut/guru, pick US History or even World History, depending upon his strength. Test his strenghts, avoid his weaknesses. If he is great at Bio2AP, pick Bio, if Physics, pick that subject, if English or foreign language, pick that subject, and so on. I hope this is all making sense. So then you would have 2 PSAT tests (which really only count as a start point, or to qualify for NMSQT), 2 sets of SAT II subject tests (like 3-5 different subjects, considering that you may retake Math only), 2 or 3 sets of SATs if need be, and 2 sets of ACTs. Remember, he can retake all tests his senior year up until about Nov or Dec sitting, but it is very difficult to get geared up as a senior to take these tests all over again. Your ultimate goal should be to get the best scores possible by the end of your Jr year.

6. Then obviously you pick the best ones to use in the college apps. Most all schools will take either SAT or ACT. If you take ACT, take it with writing. If you use ACT test for college app., the colleges won't need SAT subject tests. SAT I is only offered with writing. Not all schools need subject tests, but I would not discard taking them, as it will limit your application options. Only two schools that I know of (maybe only one?) require 3 subject tests. I think maybe on Princeton requires 3 still - I have no idea if your kid is at this level, but I offer it anyway. And starting with next year's reporting, applicants will be allowed to pick the SAT sitting that they want to use - not all test results will be submitted as had been the case in the past. Finally, check with the college as to how they will use the test scores - some take the best of any one sitting, some mix and match and take the best individual scores from all sittings. Some don't consider the writing portion of the SAT, some will, etc.....

Whew.

I bet you are sorry you asked. I apologize for writing so much. I just thought it might be helpful to anyone/all.

one more thing - in 4 above, I meant to say not really much of a score improvement beyond the third sitting. If he studies correctly or learns really well from an optional tutoring program, scores can increase dramatically from the first couple of sittings.

Just a heads up,most schools dont need the ACT with writing.

I did it with writing twice,and none of the schools I looked at applying to/did apply do requested it.This includes big 12 and SEC schools.

As for the ACT with writing, my thought would be to take it anyway, because then you would have it. In our experience, the schools we looked at wanted it. Not saying that there may not be plenty that don't, but why cut off your options?

Redbird:

I have had three sons and a daughter go through this. My advice is most relevant to baseball players. The SAT currently is offered in December and January. I believe baseball players should take the test on one of these dates during their junior year after first taking a prep course (which might favor the January date). This way the test does not interfere either with the high school baseball season or summer baseball, while leaving plenty of time for a retest if needed.

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quote:

When to take the SAT?

Trust me on this one.

I speak from experience.



The best time to take the SAT?

When no one is looking!