I have obtained the schedule for future general SATs, SAT subject tests, and PSATs (I am currently in the 9th grade). However, I have no clue as to when I should give which. The new August SAT has further added to the confusion. I have a few questions which I would like to have answered (I request you to take into consideration prep time and prep levels decreasing over time)-
How much of a gap should there be between two general SAT attempts?
How much of a gap should there be between a general SAT and a SAT subject test?
How much of a gap should there be between the SAT subject tests? Is it optimal to take 3-4 tests on the same day?
How much of a gap should there be between a PSAT 10 and a general SAT?
My rough plan is currently this-
Between Ferburary 26, 2018 to April 27, 2018 (in the middle of 10th grade): PSAT 10
August 25, 2018 (right after summers of 10th grade, i.e, beginning of 11th grade): First general SAT
October 6, 2018 (between first general SAT and second general SAT, to allow enough time for prep): SAT subject tests (I’m pursuing computer science)- Math II, Physics, and Biology/Chemistry (still not decided) all on the same day.
December 1, 2018 (3 months after previous SAT, enough time for prep, at the same time I’ll be warmed up): Second general SAT.
March 9, 2019 (I hear this is a bad idea, but this is just in case I tank the last two SATs…side question: do the results for this SAT come out in time for most college admissions [looking at CalTech, Stanford, MiT, UC Berkeley, and similar]: Third General SAT.
Please share your thoughts and feel free to edit and revise my plan^^
In general, any score within 40 points of another test is considered to be essentially equivalent so I'd shoot for a 50 point or more increase for it to be considered a true increase.
Gaps between the general SAT and subject tests are not relevant because they cover different content. The only similarity might be that if you score high on the SAT subject test for math level II, you should also have a high general SAT math section score.
Gaps between retaking SAT subject tests should also be about 50 or more if you are looking for tangible improvement. Again, scores between subject tests aren't really comparable. A general rule of thumb is that if you get about a 700 on a subject test you should be set for most schools that ask for them. You can take 3 SAT subject tests at once and if you are looking to save money I would suggest going for it.
The gap depends on how much of the math content you had seen in class by the time of the PSAT 10. If you had learned all of the math content, the gap would a bit smaller. As far as I know, the PSAT is only administered in October of your 10th and 11th grades so you don't get to choose when to take it.
It is generally suggested to take your first SAT in the fall or spring of your junior year so that you have had the most preparation from content seen in class. Many students opt to take the March and June SAT tests or a spring of junior year and fall of senior year test. You should take your last SAT test to be received by any regular decision school you’re applying to in January of your senior year. Any later would not be considered by most schools. Good luck
I had a month between SAT and subject tests (and only started prep/decided to take the tests a month and a half before the SAT…) and as ptolemycleopatra says, time between SAT and subject tests is irrelevant. In some ways it can be helpful to be revising for different tests, because it’s a nice distraction.
I think you can only take 3 subject tests on the same day, and I can’t see any point in taking more than 3 as no college wants more (and I can only think of Georgetown who want 3 - 2 will suffice for most).
I found this advice extremely helpful. I have a question about college admission deadlines, and I would really appreciate it if you would answer me.
When do regular admissions (January) and early acess (November) admissions happen? This confusion is mostly because I am not used to the American system of sophomore, junior, and senior years. All my life I’ve been hearing it as 10th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade :P. i know the gist of the conversion, but I can’t decipher them at a glance. So if I am towards the end of 9th grade in 2017 April, and I am towards the end of 11th grade in 2019 April; then when will my November and January admissions be?
