<p>I understand that taking the SAT early in your Junior year is crucial, since a lot of kids cram for the SAT later and become miserable. But the question is, should you take it in early October, which is before the PSAT, or in December after taking the PSAT? (assuming that you're going for the NMS)</p>
<p>How would it make any difference?</p>
<p>It won't matter concerning the NMS, unless you are planning on REALLY studying for the SAT and then take the PSAT during that SAT studying. I would say that taking the SAT junior year is crucial, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that taking it at the beginning of junior year is crucial- definitely not as a general statement. Why? Because colleges see all of your scores, and also because of your level of readiness. Towards the end of junior year, you will have probably covered all or most of what is tested on the SAT, but at the beginning of junior year (depending on your courses) probably not. Take a chunk of junior year to prepare yourself, and then look at taking the SATs in March.</p>
<p>My daughter took the SAT for the first time in November of her junior year. By doing so she could prep for both the PSAT and SAT at the same time and then take them 2 weeks apart. </p>
<p>That plan worked well for her.</p>
<p>i took it end of soph and did well (2220) and then took PSATs, then took it end of junior and did very well (2350). i took it as a soph b/c my school doesn't allow students to take the PSATs multiple times...but hey, it worked out pretty well for me (except no NMS...rawr), so i'd say take it before.</p>
<p>I think that if you take the SAT in March of your Junior year, it would be messy. It depends on the courses you take, but I assume that most CC'ers are taking many, many AP's. If you take it at the beginning of your Junior year, you could prepare for the PSAT and get the SAT out of your way. By doing that, you can focus on other important stuffs such as GPA, clubs, and volunteering, assuming that your first SAT score is high.</p>