<p>Hi-
I'm sure this has been asked before. My son is taking the PSAT in October. When do you think the best time to take his first SAT considering that I expect him to also try one ACT. His tutor suggested one time junior year and one senior year. I am thinking March for the most tutoring time.</p>
<p>March/May were the most popular Junior year tests when I was in school. I imagine it’s about the same now. If unhappy with those scores, most retake the SAT in October of Senior year</p>
<p>Just went through this with my son. He took the PSAT, then the December SAT. He scored about the same percentage wise on both. </p>
<p>He just took the ACT last weekend. Based on his practice tests I expect he will do better than on the SAT. Part of that is probably experience, but part of that is in the scoring because the SAT is so math dominant. </p>
<p>Taking the ACT in September allowed for tutoring at end of summer, where it didnt interfere as much with school. GL</p>
<p>May is a good time. The extra half-year of school does make a difference.</p>
<p>I would suggest Dec or Jan for the first attempt, Mar/Apr for retake. Leave May for AP, and June for subject test. Ideally, you don’t need to retake ACT or SAT in senior as he should be busy in writing essays and filling up applications next year around this time. Make sure he does a lot of practice tests before each attempt.</p>
<p>^I agree. My son was done by April his junior year. I would not wait and take anything during the senior year. Too much stress and interference with college apps.</p>
<p>December is the best time. I took it once in December after a lot of early year prep my junior year and did great and didn’t have to take it ever again. Best feeling ever.</p>
<p>I would take it right before the PSAT. Get all your prep done. Sit for one - then get in their and tear up that PSAT. After that (Oct.) you can take the SAT again in January. Best of luck! (Of course, if this schedule interferes with your primary EC, then take it another time.</p>
<p>Agree with Glido entirely. Prepping for Oct SAT helps with PSAT. My son took Oct and then Dec for retake b/c Jan & March were consumed with winter sport. Was nice to have May & June free for subject tests. Also consider if school operates on a trimester or semester basis as end-of-term exams could prevent a conflict. </p>
<p>If student plays fall sport, then aim for Jan & March. The spring is just so crazed with APs, SAT IIs, Finals, Prom, end-of-year events, etc.</p>
<p>Depends on how organized your kid is and what types of scores that they are aiming for. The most efficient schedule is to study for SAT during summer between soph and jr year and take PSAT in Oct and SAT in Oct or Nov. By studying for SAT, you are automatically studying for PSAT. Then can take ACT in Dec (or Jan…don’t know if ACT is avail in Jan).
If that schedule doesn’t work, then SAT in Jan or Mar with study during winter break or president’s or spring break.
Also, if kid is very organized, take practice tests in SAT and ACT, pick which one they do better in and only study for one of the tests. Also, if kid is unlikely to make NMSF, then studying for PSAT is not really necessary.</p>
<p>For my kids, midterms are in Jan, APs in May, SAT2s in May or June, which leaves Mar the most popular spring date.</p>