I just registered for the July 18 ACT and the August 29 SAT, both with writing sections. Is there a disadvantage to doing this? I am currently a rising sophomore.
What? As a test prep tutor, I strongly advise you not to do this. Your score is going to stay with you for all of high school. For any colleges that require all scores, you will have to submit these, if you do take the tests.
Most students take the test as juniors. One, the only score that NMSQT considers is the one taken in October of junior year. Two, you have two whole years of learning ahead of you, which should help improve your score. Three, although many people do it, I NEVER advise students to take these official tests as a “practice run.” Do a practice run at home, or time yourself in a library, when it doesn’t stay on your record forever.
Wait until you are better prepared. Wait to see what develops as this current health crisis plays out in the college application process. Give yourself time to learn more, practice more, and figure out if you even need to take the SAT.
Huh? NMSQT only considers an ACT or SAT of October Junior year? For what?
NMSQT is based on the PSAT, and a qualifying SAT/ACT can be +/- slightly more than a year, unless something drastic has changed in the last week or so.
Some colleges and scholarships will only consider scores from junior or senior year.
A handful of colleges require you to submit ALL test scores (last I heard it was Georgetown, Yale, and Carnegie Mellon). Those things change on a dime, though, so you really have to look at the admissions web page at colleges of interest.
No, it’s not bad to take the test this early, but there is no advantage to it. If you only doing it because you are curious as to how well you would do, just take a practice test instead. If you need a score in order to apply to a summer program next year, I would postpone until December or the spring.
Check to see if schools you are interested in want the essays - many do not
@RichInPitt , NMSQT is based on taking the PSAT in October of junior year, followed by the SAT/ACT score. Sorry, I messed that up. A student aiming for NMSQT wants a score over a certain threshold on the PSAT, followed by a high SAT/ACT score.
ETA: I don’t know if a previous high score would be considered for NMSQT. Regardless, I don’t think a previous lower score is beneficial to anyone.
https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=424
Counter to the opinions above…both my kids took their tests the spring/summer between Sophomore and Junior year. If you have had math up through precalc - and did well - you can handle the math on the tests. However, I would definitely advise you to prepare. Both kids did a number of practice tests, focused on correcting their weak areas and then tested again. Practice tests were timed in simulated test conditions (i.e. morning, no breaks other than would be in the tests, etc.)
Both kids were one and done. This was a big advantage as they both had tough junior year schedules. In addition, they were able to provide test results to college coaches, which helped a little in the recruiting process.
Given Covid and all of this year’s unknowns, I’m thankful that my S21 has a good test score in hand. Even though many schools are test optional, it helps to know where his scores would put him as he goes through and attempts to make his college lists.