<p>I'm a rising junior, and this idea of standardized testing is really starting to dawn on me in a frightening way (despite having knocked out two SAT IIs, neither of which, unfortunately, were math). I understand that I must really begin preparing as soon as possible, as this next year will be my most important one. However, I'm facing difficulty formulating a schedule. </p>
<p>I plan on taking the ACT in September; therefore, I figure I should devote all of my summer preparation to the ACT. However, with school beginning in September here and my anticipation of a time consuming junior schedule, I do not know how I'll ever have time to prepare for the SAT (assuming that my ACT score is not perfect for me, which is a likely instance that I'd rather not disregard). </p>
<p>Should I defer my first SAT to December or even January and retake in either March or May? Such a route would not allow me to prepare for the PSAT, however, and although its effect on admissions is minor, I'd like to enjoy the benefits of being a finalist.</p>
<p>There are so many options, and I have no clue what I should do. Should I even take the ACT in September, at such an early date? Should I take the SATs earlier, or later? I understand that no person is exactly the same as another, and I acknowledge that different paths (maybe I should channel Robert Frost?) work for different people, but I would like to hear any suggestions, and if possible, get some insight as to how others have gone about this junior testing situation!</p>
<p>I too am facing the decisions you are trying to make. I’ll be taking the ACT in September and the SAT in October. What’s my reasoning behind this?</p>
<p>-I have the WHOLE SUMMER to prep for both the ACT and SAT. To be honest, I think about 3 whole months of pure ACT preparation may be a litle overdo and you might just run out of resources. Preparation for the SAT takes more time in my opinion, since there’s vocabulary and all that.</p>
<p>-Preparing all summer for the SAT also lets you be prepared for the PSAT in November. It’s a month away from the SAT, but I’m sure you can fit in some review in between.</p>
<p>That’s just my reasoning and schedule. Improve on it, i guess!</p>
DEFINITELY prepare for the PSAT. If you make NMF there are many scholarships available to you at very good schools. While it won’t necessarily help in admission to the Ivies it will probably help in most other cases. I would say SAT/PSAT prep should have priority.</p>
<p>What I did was I took my first SAT in December, then I retook in May. I don’t know if this is true, but the curve for winter SATs are pretty bad, while the spring and summer SATs are much better. </p>
<p>I then took my SAT IIs in June, and the ACT the week after. I was much more satisfied with my ACT score then with my SAT score however.</p>
<p>I think it would be best for you to wait a bit. Have you taken any practice tests? If you believe you truly are ready, then go ahead and take it early.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses! I’d love to begin preparing for the SAT early, but I’m very afraid of exhausting the most useful prep materials (namely, the blue book) early. I may just try to do vocabulary during the summer.</p>
<p>I’m curious to hear from others as well, though!</p>
<p>After discussing this with other CCers, here’s our plan, so I’ll share…
Oct SAT
Oct PSAT
Dec ACT
Jan midterms
May AP exams
June finals
May or June SAT2s</p>
<p>Summer to study for both SAT and PSAT together. Then some time to study for ACT.
After blue book, there are more tests on-line.</p>