When is the Best Time to Take the SAT/ACT?
If you're in high school, you know that standardized testing is a big component of your college application. You also have a lot on your plate with extracurricular activities, school work, personal situations, and more-- thinking about this test is just one more thing to worry about.
So how do you handle all of this planning, scheduling, and studying? Thankfully, we're here to help you sort everything out!
Managing your time here is critical, especially in regards to planning ahead and having adequate time to study. Don't wait until your senior year to take the SAT or ACT for the first time! We recommend taking a baseline SAT or ACT during your sophomore year. This way, you can see where you stand compared to your goal and progress from there.
Let's move into the logistics of timing. You'll first have to decide on a test date so you can construct a timeline for your studying; both the SAT and the ACT have seven test dates each year, but there are a few factors you'll want to take into account before you choose one.
Because the college application process is a lengthy one, we suggest giving yourself at least 12 months to prepare before your first deadline. This is especially important to keep in mind if you're applying early action or early decision. Allowing yourself this time also ensures that you have the chance to take the SAT or ACT again if you're not satisfied with the results of your first test. You should also be mindful other deadlines, including those for various merit scholarships.
Much of the content on the SAT and ACT relates to what you've learned in high school classes. Having a specific few of these courses under your belt will be beneficial while taking the test; we highly recommend mastering geometry, algebra II, and English prior to testing. Not only will this help you with content, but already knowing this information will save you precious study time.
Of course, this is easier said than done, but it's best to take the SAT or ACT when you're not stressed about other matters. A stressed state of mind can result in a lack of preparation, lower scores than expected, and most likely the need to take the test again.
Speaking of preparation, one of the most important aspects of your studying to remember is that time is of the essence. Time is your friend here: the more time you allocate to studying, the more likely you'll earn a higher test score. We strongly suggest setting aside at least 40 total hours, but the more the better. It's been shown that students who don't study for a minimum of 40 hours don't see major improvements in their results.
There are also some time frames to keep in mind in the months leading up to test day. Aside from the actual test itself, there are a few other benchmarks that will assess your readiness.
Relative to your test date, we mentioned above how you should complete certain classes in school before sitting down for the SAT or ACT. If you're taking the SAT, make sure you've already taken geometry, algebra II, and at least two consecutive years of English classes. For the ACT, you'll want to have taken these three classes in addition to understanding the basic concepts of biology, chemistry, and introductory physics (this includes life sciences and Earth sciences).
We also highly recommend taking the PSAT as a sophomore or junior, which will expose you to both the content and formatting of the SAT. If you're taking the ACT, we suggest practicing with the PreACT. Students who take these preliminary tests tend to perform better than those who don't.
Also before taking the test, you should sit down and take a timed practice test to mimic test day conditions (turn your phone off, use pencil and paper, and find a quiet space). This will give you an idea of what to expect come test day, and might even give you some insight as to how you'll perform on the actual test.
Lastly, remember to take a baseline test before devoting large amounts of your time to studying. Taking the SAT or ACT in the actual test setting before beginning your intense studying will help you to normalize test day procedures and know what to expect when you take the test later on. We advise doing this at the beginning of your junior year, as this will allow you to focus your studying on the areas in which you need the most improvement.
If you need help developing your own SAT/ACT test plan, contact us to get started.