<p>I'm currently a sophomore in high school and am planning on taking SAT prep this summer. I just have a couple general questions about the SAT as I'm not too familiar with this particular standardized test.</p>
<p>First,</p>
<p>How long do SAT scores last? For example, if I were to take the SAT near the end of this summer/early fall and received scores I was happy with, would I be able to keep those and send those to colleges in my senior year?</p>
<p>Second,</p>
<p>How many SATs (not including subject tests) do students typically take? I was looking at the Common App for college, and there was a section that asked for the highest scores in each section of the SAT. Does this mean that colleges are expecting students to take multiple SATs in order to achieve a very strong score? </p>
<p>Third,</p>
<p>Would taking SAT prep also potentially increase my PSAT score?</p>
<p>Any tests taken during high school will be fine for when you apply as a senior. In fact, if you you were to take them early fall junior year and send scores to colleges at that time, they will start an application file on you and when you send application in senior year, they will match it with the score you sent. Majority actually still take SAT only once and colleges do not actually expect you to take it more than once; they just know that many do. Many attempt more than once (some even three or more) to raise their scores with hopes of improving chances of admission. Many colleges “superscore” SATs meaning if you submit multiple test scores, they will use for admission your highest section scores from those tests and thus give you a higher composite than any single test, e.g., score 700M, 650CR, and 600W on one test, and 600M, 700CR, and 650W on another and your scores for determining admission will be 700M, 700CR and 650W.</p>
<p>The last SAT this school year is June 4th. The next SAT in the fall is in October before the PSAT. </p>
<p>You will probably take the SAT 2-3 times to get the scores you want to send to colleges.</p>
<p>Any preparation you do on the SAT will help on the PSAT. You only have one time on the PSAT (this October) to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship so preparing beforehand would be a good idea.</p>
<p>1) Any SAT you take in high school will last long enough for your college aps.
2) Many students who apply to competitive colleges take the SAT 2 or 3 times.
3) Study and practice for the SAT will help your PSAT</p>