<p>I had kind of a similar situation. I was set to take some SAT subject tests last November, specifically the Japanese language and English Literature tests. However, it turned out that the state cross country meet was the same exact time as the tests. This was a bit of a dilemma for me, as the Japanese test is only offered once a year. I ended up going to the state meet. Considering that I am fluent in Japanese and that I ended up getting my best score ever on the literature test on a later testing date, is it possible that I would have gotten into my EA school if I had taken the test? Possibly. But I don't regret going to the state meet. I am rather glad that I lived in the moment and did not try and sacrifice what I had already achieved for a chance at future success. I think the OP has already decided, but for anyone else in the same situation, I suggest finding another test date to fit your schedule.</p>
<p>They really need a summer testing date to accomodate all these conflicts. The SAT II subject tests are the biggest issue for us. Now he has to wait until December to take them because he used the June test date for redo of SAT. Only two test dates during school year without conflicts due to sports and music.</p>
<p>Summer test options would be wonderful! :)</p>
<p>academics>sports
ya</p>
<p>We wouldn't mind a summer test date at our house -- take the test while the subject area is still fresh, but after the craziness of finals, end-of-year activities, etc.</p>
<p>Smoda61,</p>
<p>I'll let these parents know of your suggestion. It does not affect my son. He doesn't play football, but several of his classmates do. Most will probably wait to take the SAT in November. We live in the middle of nowhere so 15-30 minutes to drive for a test is nothing.</p>
<p>Guys, you all need to realize there are MULTIPLE test dates and MULTIPLE test sites for both the ACT and SAT!</p>
<p>I was in marching band and swimming, which both had their own conflicts with these tests, mostly in the fall, and during March test dates. I had to plan around them, taking the December and June ACT, then the January, June, and October SAT's. I hadn't planned on taking the SAT II's, and was going to just send my ACT scores instead, but when I didn't do so hot on the SAT, I had to schedule my SAT II's during the June test date, at a school near where I was going to be on VACATION. I studied all week on the beach and did well on the tests. </p>
<p>I couldn't do the September date because of a key swim meet, and I wanted to take the SAT I once more, so that was pushed to October. I didn't HAVE to go to the swim meet, it's just that I wanted to and found a way to work around it. And since my October scores weren't as good as I wanted them to be, I retook in December, right in the middle of a swim meet (only went to Friday and Sunday sessions).</p>
<p>And although I had already quit band, our director expected our utmost commitment, and since the September and October test dates were during key practices and competitions, he told us to wait until November or in the spring. He did, however, let us who were signed up for a December ACT show up just in time for a performance we were only notified just a few short weeks before.</p>
<p>You all have to realize that there ARE ways to mesh athletics, EC's, and academics, it just sometimes takes crucial planning and creativity. I'm still doing it in college, doing homework on the bus to swim meets and at hotels or during events such as Relay for Life. If you are really committed to both your academics and athletics/EC's, then you can find a way to work it out.</p>
<p>Are you Jewish? If it's possible, opt for Sunday testing, even if you're not really religious.</p>
<p>It might help people putting the proper perspective on sports in high school to ask how would should deal with injuries during the year. What would happen at the big track meet or the big football game if an athlete gets banged up during the last practice. Injuries are part of the life of an athlete and nobody is expected to play 100% of the time. </p>
<p>What happen when athletes lose eligibility because of a bad grade? Ever heard of that pesky English or Calculus teacher who succeeds in benching failing students? </p>
<p>Do you really think that a star athlete with REAL chances at a Division I spot would not survive missing a single meet? </p>
<p>Conflicts are never pleasant but most everyone tend to overreact and make a mountain of a molehill.</p>
<p>
[quote]
It might help people putting the proper perspective on sports in high school to ask how would should deal with injuries during the year. What would happen at the big track meet or the big football game if an athlete gets banged up during the last practice. Injuries are part of the life of an athlete and nobody is expected to play 100% of the time. </p>
<p>What happen when athletes lose eligibility because of a bad grade? Ever heard of that pesky English or Calculus teacher who succeeds in benching failing students? </p>
<p>Do you really think that a star athlete with REAL chances at a Division I spot would not survive missing a single meet? </p>
<p>Conflicts are never pleasant but most everyone tend to overreact and make a mountain of a molehill.
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</p>
<p>To start, I love how you compare an injury to a test. They aren't the same. An injury is an unforeseen problem that teams have to deal with. Yes, they are dealt with on a daily basis; fact of life. Missing a competition to take a test where other options are present is being selfish. Remember.. there is NO I in TEAM.</p>
<p>Any high school coach who is going to get bent out of shape because his/her sport ranks behind taking tests in priority is in the wrong business. Better to try the pros where that pesky school stuff won't keep getting in the way.</p>
<p>
[quote]
It might help people putting the proper perspective on sports in high school to ask how would should deal with injuries during the year. What would happen at the big track meet or the big football game if an athlete gets banged up during the last practice. Injuries are part of the life of an athlete and nobody is expected to play 100% of the time.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Again, athletes need to plan ahead for their SAT/ACT testing dates. To put into perspective what is expected of Div.1 - bound athletes, however, many of them are in fact, expected to play through their illnesses and injuries for important meet/games, because that is what is needed to make the team successful. It is called sacrificing for the team. Those who do not understand or support this philosophy will not likely be on a team.</p>
<p>And missing a single meet can in fact, bring the entire team's season to an abrupt end. Once the State final meet date is set, the qualifying meets are progressively calendared and a team must qualify at each meet in order to progress to the next. If the top scorers miss even one qualifying meet for a SAT/ACT, then the entire team's season can come to an end.</p>
<p>In cross-country in particular (which I believe OP is concerned about), winning big meets (such as the State meet) are just as, if not more important than a runner's times, because the courses in the league, invitational and qualifying meets are not uniform.</p>
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Any high school coach who is going to get bent out of shape because his/her sport ranks behind taking tests in priority is in the wrong business
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</p>
<p>I think two issues are being confused here. I'm sure most coaches understand the importance of taking the SAT/ACT. I doubt this is an issue for any high school coach. But considering the number of times the SAT/ACT is offered during the year, I do not think it is unreasonable for a coach to get bent out of shape if one of his top athletes didn't plan properly.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>But considering the number of times the SAT/ACT is offered during the year, I do not think it is unreasonable for a coach to get bent out of shape if one of his top athletes didn't plan properly.<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>However, just because the student takes the test on a date that conflicts with some game doesn't necessarily mean he/she didn't plan properly. In fact, it may mean just the opposite. Case in point are the SAT Subject Tests. The best time to take those is right after you have finished the coursework in question -- you've covered all the material and haven't forgotten it yet. This is particularly true for demanding year-long subjects such as chemistry or physics. The best time to take those subject tests is going to be June of the year in which you completed the course work, maybe May if your school year finishes earlier than most.</p>
<p>So a kid taking the June SAT Subject tests has probably planned very carefully -- planned carefully to do well on these important tests. And if he misses some game because of it, well too darn bad.</p>
<p>Bay, did you read the first post on this thread?</p>
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you've covered all the material and haven't forgotten it yet.
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</p>
<p>Isn't the point to remember the information??</p>
<p>
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So a kid taking the June SAT Subject tests has probably planned very carefully -- planned carefully to do well on these important tests. And if he misses some game because of it, well too darn bad
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</p>
<p>This is the choice that must be made by some Div. 1- bound athletes. They must decide whether it is preferable to take the Subject tests at the "optimal" time, or whether they will need to sacrifice conventional wisdom, and take them later or earlier in order to accommodate the team and their athletic experience. It is unfortunate that they must make this choice in some circumstances. Like other posters before me, a summer SAT/ACT would be helpful.</p>
<p>
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Bay, did you read the first post on this thread?
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</p>
<p>Of course.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>Isn't the point to remember the information??<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>Of course learning and remembering the information is the point of all education. But anyone who has ever taken a high school or college course knows that unfortunately human memory isn't perfect, and you are not going to recall the info as well six months or a year later as you did right after you finished the course and took the final. That's why it's better for lawyers to tackle the bar exam right after law school instead of years later. </p>
<p>So if you want a good score on your SAT Subject Tests you take them right away and not next year.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>Like other posters before me, a summer SAT/ACT would be helpful.<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>On that we can agree.</p>
<p>My issue was NEVER that a coach would react negatively to the kids missing a game, etc. My issue was that the kid--the ATHLETE--was so frustrated that such a choice had to be made; that the SAT dates were so rigid. I maintain that College Board carries to much weight and I hate the SAT! It's OK...I'm allowed to hate them! ;-) Trust me they don't care what I think! Summer testing would be great!</p>