<p>Hey CCers!
I had to make a new account because I forgot my password and was too lazy to try to figure out what it was.
Any who, I am currently a high school junior and was wondering what is ideal as far as taking the SAT. Normally, I would take it in the spring but I was planning on taking it in either this October or November. I was thinking of taking it this fall, next spring, summer, and fall of senior year. I will be taking the PSAT as well this fall. After reading some posts on here, I realize that it does not look as great to have taken the SAT four times. The main reason I wanted to take the SAT this fall was to be able to see where I am at. I am currently starting SAT prep so I wanted to see where I was at and focus on boosting my scores.
Thank you!</p>
<p>its ok to take it four times as long as your score doesnt drop from one to the next. im taking it four times too.</p>
<p>I just shared my daughter’s experience with this same dilemma… she took her first “baseline” SAT in Oct. of junior year… it’s a great idea to get a baseline before you start the SAT prep, but remember it is usually the Sat. just before the PSAT and she was “tested out” for the PSAT… so maybe focus on the PSAT since there’s a lot at stake and then take your baseline in Nov.? You are in an excellent position to pace yourself and get the most out of your prep! Then take the SAT again in the spring to see how you’ve improved your score with the prep class.</p>
<p>Now, here’s what she didn’t do and I HIGHLY recommend… ALSO take an ACT in the spring (March maybe? so that it doesn’t interfere with AP exams or finals) of junior year. Compare the results and see if you have an advantage on one or the other. Depending on what you find, you should focus on that test with lots of practice tests. The later in your junior year that you “check out” the ACT, the better, as you will have more math, science, etc. under your belt.</p>
<p>So in the fall of your senior year, you are sitting pretty with perhaps one more test to take and are ready for the EA application deadlines. Hope that helps and wish she had done it this way!</p>
<p>I took the SAT twice: October and January of my junior year. I met my personal score goal in October and far exceeded it in January. None of the schools I’m applying to need anything above the score I have, so I stopped then.
I took the ACT once: June following my junior year. I expected to not do as well as on the SAT. However, I did very well on the ACT, and according to the concordence tables, I did better on the ACT than the SAT. Weird, but true.
It’s up to you, honestly. I’d take it at least twice, though. Definitely do some mock tests (lots of companies offer them, usually for less than $15, at least here). Buy the CollegeBoard study book and read up on some math you may have forgotten. Make vocab flashcards and practice writing essays in 25 minutes. Definitely, though, finish your testing before your senior year. It would be awful to have to worry about your SAT scores getting to your college on time for admissions consideration!</p>
<p>i would recommend taking it three times. i took it twice but hated it and my scores did not improve much but i am not a good test taker. you should try the act once. i personally thought it was easier and i am taking it again in october.</p>