A bit of a dilemma here...

<p>So this year I am a Senior and I've only taken the SAT once. My score was in the average range but no where near competitive level. I'm really banking my hopes on this October test but realistically I'll still be around 1600-1800 range. What I am looking for is 1800-2000. </p>

<p>I am definitely taking the SAT this October 5th but I have only taken one SAT Subject Test. I know most competitive schools require two so I will need to sacrifice one of my test dates for the subject test. I will only be applying EA for my medium schools because of this. Since I need to take the SAT and the subject test, what should my plan be? Should I take the Subject test in November and take the SAT again in December? Or the other way around?</p>

<p>What schools on your list do you need SAT 2’s for? Usually only top-level schools like the Ivies require them. I would focus on bringing up the SAT score, and also taking a stab at ACT, since many students do much better at one or the other. Raising your SAT (or getting a good ACT) might open up merit opportunities for you at schools that you can get accepted to. Having taken SAT 2’s won’t do much to get you into top schools with sub-2000 SAT 1 score. Also, some top schools will take ACT in place of subject tests. Check the websites of the schools you are interested in to verify. </p>

<p>Should add that some schools want you to have an SAT subject test in a foreign language, for placement purposes. That can typically wait until later in the school year when apps are all done.</p>

<p>I heard the ACT is fast-paced and I’m a slow test-taker. Also I don’t want to spend my time learning the ACT from scratch. My plan right now is to take the October 5th SAT, November SAT Subject Test (History & Literature), and depending on what I got on my October SAT I will be taking the December SAT.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>