@FlyerDad You sound as though you have a good handle on his test taking abilities. My son took a free practice ACT test at our local library fall his freshman year, no prep ahead and scored a 30. His freshman year he was doubling up on geometry and Algebra II. He felt he learned enough math that he took his first and only official ACT test spring his freshman year and scored a 34. He said he didn’t want to wait until junior year when he would be too far beyond math to recall some of the geometry. My daughter was not on the same math trajectory and took the ACT junior year.
It may be helpful to have a discussion with your son and see where he feels his math skills fit in with what sections are on the test. My son is now a senior in high school, but I believe the ACT may have added a few higher level math questions in the last year or two. Best of luck!
@jcmom716 I think if you are thru Algebra 2 anyone should be fine taking the ACT…maybe starting into pre-cal…But, YES, you don’t want to get too far beyond math so that you start to forget
@annamom, got it confused with the SAT! It was September. I’m doing full time dual enrollment and the college I’m taking classes at starts in late September, so I get my summer months mixed up.
Yes have him take it in October. My D took the early fall test last year as a junior. Early in the year is better as junior year is super busy. Which turned out to be a good call because as the year went by she was tired, had AP classes and then tests to study for. Our theory was if she was happy with score then check off one box. If not finish busy year, study over summer and take early Fall test senior year. Chose your college choices off of earlier scores and add in some reaches.
Thanks everyone for your comments–this has been incredibly helpful. I chatted with the boy, and he is going to take the October ACT with December as a backup. Seems like he is ready and he will likely have a much busier spring with sports, etc.
He is definitely going to study–we have signed up with a test prep tutor and feel like they are a really good fit. Now just have to keep our fingers crossed (and study!).
@billcsho I got confused bc I thought the ACT had an august test date before, bc I remember taking the ACT last year during about the same time (before my school started) as I took the SAT this year. Sorry?
My d18 took the ACT in Sep. and again in Oct.of her junior year. She wasn’t stressed either time because she knew there was plenty of time to re-take it if necessary, and she did really well. Having it out of the way fall of junior year has been great. She has senior friends who are still testing this fall while trying to write essays and do the common app, and she’s very happy she’s not among them.
