<p>S is a sophomore in HS. He was advised by counselor to take the SAT this spring. I know for Merit Scholarships he needs to take the PSAT as a Junior. Will it mess him up if he takes the SAT in the spring?</p>
<p>No. Why would it?</p>
<p>I wasn’t sure. I thought the PSAT had to be taken before the SAT. Is it crazy to be sending SAT results to colleges as a Sophomore?</p>
<p>It’s perfectly ok to take SAT before PSAT. A lot of kids do that. Sending scores as a Soph, however, is a different question. Why would you do that?</p>
<p>I figure if he does well then he doesn’t have to worry about it in his Junior year. He will have a tough junior year with AP classes and an online Latin class.</p>
<p>Absolutely no harm in taking the test now as long as he is confident he will score well. (A small handful of schools require that all scores be reported.)</p>
<p>I would be reluctant to send the scores now as the colleges may purge the files once a new class is admitted. You will lose the opportunity to send the free score reports, but he may need to take Subject Tests in the future so you could have the SAT I scores sent along with the Subject Test scores.</p>
<p>Depends on what type of score he is aiming for and how often he plans on taking the SAT.
I think it’s easier to take the SAT in Oct or Nov of Jr year, because then he will be studying for the SAT, which is automatic studying for the PSAT. Take the PSAT in Oct and the SAT in Oct or Nov. I’m a fan of only taking these tests once rather than retaking over and over. Don’t send any scores until Sr yr. This way you can choose which scores and which schools. Yes, you forfeit your free score reports, but you can take better control after all of the data is in.</p>
<p>Taking the SAT before the PSAT is a great way to prepare in a real test environment. Once you have gone through the testing environment once, there is less stress during the following sittings. Best of luck!</p>
<p>bandmom - most people don’t send SAT scores from Soph year to colleges for good reasons - 1) most kids perform better if SAT is taken junior/senior year than soph year; 2) most kids don’t know which school they want apply to (i.e., which schools would you send the scores to?); and 3) even if your child thinks he knows where he wants to go, a lot can (and will) change between now and the time he applies (fall of senior year). </p>
<p>I still think it’s ok to take the test as long as you understand what other posters have said. But, I wouldn’t send the scores. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for the feedback.</p>