DS24 took PSAT in October. Trying to figure out ideal timing for ACT/SAT. Is Spring of junior year the best time so he can take it again in Summer if needed? Will all the math he needs be covered if he did Winter of junior year? Fall is out b/c of football.
Our HS pushes the March SAT for juniors.
Does he plan to take any prep classes? That could sway the decision. Best to take it directly after prep classes finish.
If football is a dealbreaker then he should take it by August or before practices start.
Are you in a state that requires the SAT for colleges? You could always apply TO if not.
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My D’s HS also did spring of junior year for standardized testing.
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I am a tutor. Kids take the tests at all times of year, but the March SAT and April ACT are the most common months for juniors.
In my experience, there are some months that are more conducive to getting a good score, but it really does depend on the type of student. IMO, the Feb ACT and the March SAT are the optimal months to take those tests. This is because they have a solid foundation for their junior year and, at that time, there isn’t quite so much conflict with Spring sports or Spring theater. They also have much of December and January to prep, if they are inclined, without as much pressure as other times of the school year. And, if they are taking AP tests, it gives them a bit of time between to prep.
I also think it is great when motivated students can prep for the August SAT and September ACT (which happens right after they go back to school) because again, there isn’t as much pressure about school at those times. However, I think those months are best for seniors who are soon applying to college. The disadvantage is that a kid really should plan on doing some prep in the summer, which is not at the top of a lot of kids’ summer activities list.
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My kids took them in the summer prior to their junior year. (Son due to Covid had test postponed 3 times and took it in Nov. of his junior year). They are both swimmers so spring season would be distracting.
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D23 taking at school today
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This is our plan due to school year constraints, and prep during the summer
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I think it’s a good plan. Junior year the class load was much more rigorous so to have the test done is a big weight off their shoulders. They mildly complained about having to prep in the summer but were appreciative in the end!
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My last 2 took them fall of junior year as a practice, took the February ACT, were scheduled for the March SAT, which were canceled the day before, and again, and again, and again…. They finally got yo take them the following year, but they weren’t as neatly prepared as they were for 3/20 (weekly tutoring, practice session, daily class before school). I know pandemics don’t happen often, but if I had any more high school students left, I’d suggest getting one on the books early. At my daughter’s college, it’s pretty clear that merit was still based on scores even though it was TO.
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It won’t work for your timeline, but I liked our kids prepping for PSAT/SAT end of summer/early fall, and then taking October Psat and the Nov/Dec SAT. We signed up for both in case they had a bad day in November or were sick. And then being done with it all.
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It really may depend on the kid and the math level. Our prep school gives each kid customized recs on testing and it seems a large chunk of kids are told to prep over summer after 10th and take Aug/Sept of junior year, with re-take if needed in Spring of Jr yr. This seems to be advised for all who have finished Precalc in 10th(a quarter of the school, some years more), and also for many who will be taking Precalc in 11th. The rest of the kids who take Precalc in 11th or who are a year behind that will take it the first time in Spring of Junior year. Tons of prep is not encouraged here, nor is repeating it over and over: most take it 2-3 times, other than 2021 Covid kids who had their junior yr second shot(march 2020) canceled (but the majority did have scores before march 2020). Most kids do standard prep of a couple of hours per week for 6wks over the summer, though some do much more, and some do much less.
I definitely agree to take sports/EC commitments into account when planning!
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Curious on your thoughts on a “practice@ sitting, before any real prep.
Officially, as in a paid test sitting? I never think students need to do that. Unfortunately, too many people do it as a practice run.
Think about it. Kids can practice for free with official SAT and ACT tests, easily available online. Go to the library if needed. They can do it when it doesn’t count. But the vast majority who do it as a practice don’t get a score they are happy with. Then it leaves most students demoralized and super stressed about the next time they take it. Very few students are motivated by a low score. Most simply feel they have a bigger mountain to climb. And it wastes so much time and money. Especially time, which they can never get back.
Both my kids took the test once, when they were good and ready. My D only took the SAT, my S took both. They both got high scores. I am happy that I have dissuaded more than one student from doing an official test when they weren’t ready to take it.
Sure, some students will do a lot of prep and still not get a score they are happy with. There are well prepared students who take the test more than once. However, most often, the student knows they didn’t do as well as they hoped: maybe a bad night’s sleep, or a bit under the weather, or something else. But that isn’t the same as not being prepared.
D (also a fall athlete) took Algebra 2 as a sophomore, pre-Calc as a junior. Her tutor and college advisor both suggested taking 3 consecutive sittings starting right after the PSAT. Their helpful advice was to schedule all 3 at once and mark them on the calendar because knowing the plan would make it less stressful. The rationale was the first would be the practice, she could beef up specific areas for number 2 and didn’t need to be too nervous because she knew she had one more chance. She isn’t a math kid and got her highest score on try #1, but got her highest EBRW on try #3. She maintained her weekly sessions with the tutor the whole time just to have that routine.
My D22 did this as well (but both in Oct), and used SAT prep materials for both tests.
All of my kids took it several times, they felt more comfortable each time (plus took practice tests every week). My college freshman just told me she misses them. Weirdo. Their tutor was fine with it, and their scores always improved.
If a student has completed Algebra 2 before Junior year, I suggest teaming up preparation for the PSAT and SAT in the Fall of Junior year - October or November.
If Algebra 2 hasn’t been completed, Junior year math will help in preparation, so hold off until March or May.
Yeah, agree on the math. My kids took Calc BC junior year so they were prepared to take the test during the summer.