<p>If I'm applying to Navy, I should take my two SAT I's junior year right?</p>
<p>Take them as often as you can until you are satisfied that you have gotten your best result- the academies will take your hightest scores in each category. The more times you take them, the better the chances your scores will improve. They will accept your scores through Dec of senior year....(maybe even january- but double check on that)...best of luck</p>
<p>Yes, January or February if applying NASS. Later if you need more time to prepare and fill out preliminary application in April, May or June. However, if you have good/great PSAT, that is good enough to get you started and you can wait to take SAT if you want. I disagree about taking them more times. As long as you study (and use practice tests), the best way to improve is diligence over time (work on weaknesses and uncovered material, vocabulary and practice writing). So if you do the work over time, waiting can be an advantage.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>Don't you want to take it twice or so to get your best scores by the time the Nomination deadlines are in though? (Oct.1)? in NY State</p>
<p>you apply for your nominations in the fall of your SENIOR year, not junior year. Junior year, you should start taking SAT's in the Spring- most NY kids take them in March,(a few even start in January) then again in either May or June ....then in senior year, in Oct and then more if needed (Nov and Dec). The noms for MOC are due by November 1st (check the senator websites and the site for your legislator's district)...the dates can change. By Oct of senior year, however, you should have scores to report.....you can have them sent when you register for SAT exams (go to MOC website for their "number") or, if you rather, you can wait on sending them after you see your scores, but that may entail a small fee for sending (check the SAT site).</p>
<p>One final thought: you want to contact the senator and legislative offices sometime in the spring of your junior year to 1. let them know you are interested in the academies 2. get on their mailing list and 3. get applications. There is a seperate deadline for making the request...sometime in October of Senior year...but getting it done before the summer would be best.</p>
<p>Of course you want to improve your scores, but statistics show you only go up significantly if you study subtantially between them. So taking, Jan, Feb, Mar, and Apr not only will cost you 4 times the money...the money will be a waste unless you put time in between each of those tests to practice and study.</p>
<p>For example: My son took the last old SAT I in Jan of Junior year just to have taken an "old" one. Then he waited until May to take SAT II's (required by other NROTC colleges he wants to apply to) and June for the "new" SAT I. He did well enough to apply for USNA and his early action school. Now he will take more SAT II's in November (wait as long as he can - to make early action school test cutoff) and he will take the SAT I again in Dec to have his last shot at regular admission for his early action school if he doesn't make that cut. Finally...if he doesn't have a appointment by Feb, he will likely give it one more shot in Mar.</p>
<p>Plan...STUDY...take practice tests....Keep up your grades, GPA, Leadership, sports...etc..etc..etc. A bit overwhelming for most!</p>
<p>For clarification purposes: </p>
<p>Please re-read post: I don't think anyone suggested taking the sat's every single time they are offered. Unless something has changed, SATs are not even offered in Feb or April.</p>
<p>To restate: many kids take EITHER the Jan or March SATs in Junior year to see where they stand.....they retake them EITHER May or June of Junior year....and, if unsatisfied with their scores, many repeat in OCT of Senior year after a summer of study (last dates available to submit for consideration at early decision and many early action schools). NOV and/or DEC are available if you think scores can be improved, and some schools will even consider January scores (of senior year), but this needs to be verified on a school-by-school basis. </p>
<p>Of course, if ED is not on the table, skipping Oct and waiting for Nov is an option, however even here, taking them in Oct and repeating them in Dec (thus elimating Nov althogether) would allow that much more time to prep between those tests (8 weeks as opposed to 3), with the Oct test coming after a full 8 weeks of summer plus another 4+ weeks in the Fall. Check the dates of EA schools carefully however, as to the last test scores that will be considered- it varies widely, and many cut-offs occur prior to the Nov SAT date.</p>
<p>I am not aware of any schools (those listed as highly cometetive) that will accept scores into March of senior year- it would seem their applicant pool would be well established by that time, considering notifications are out by April 1 of senior year for student decisions by May 1. Be sure to check your dates before counting on a senior-year March SAT making the admissions board.</p>
<p>Okay, I'll chime in! Do try the ACT as well. The way the scores are broken down by USNA can be very beneficial. You may try taking both your junior year, and then retaking the one you scored better on to try to raise it. Just an opinion, and, has been pointed out, worth what you paid for it!</p>
<p>I definitely agree with momof1. If you look at the profiles of each class year for the academies, you'll see the ACT scores listed. It's always been interesting to me that some high school students do better on one or the other test. Therefore, if you think your SAT is borderline, try taking the ACT also. </p>
<p>And as Dad2b said, practice and then practice some more. Not because it's fun to practice for these exams, but because it's one of the keys to get you where you want to be. Good luck!</p>
<p>For anyone worried about your SAT scores I would recommend the self study course you can sign up for on the CollegeBoard.com site. It has a lot of test questions and tips for taking the test. Their question of the day is also good.</p>
<p>CCR712, I'm throwing in a story about my daughter, but please don't see it as bragging. This is just for information on what I've seen several successful students do over the last couple of years. The Cat (Navy_Hornet) took the PSAT the usual time in October but her Sophomore year. She then took the SAT I for the first time March of Sophomore year. She is now (October 8th) taking it for the second time, with lots of practice and course work since the first time. We'll keep you informed on the score increase (fingers crossed.)</p>
<p>Cougar:
Both of my sons (one class of '08, the other senior in HS pursuing civilian schools) did almost what you recommend: PSAT fall of sophomore year, SAT spring of spohomore year, BUT also took PSAT in fall of Junior year. The Junior year test is the only administration for which National Merit scholarships will be based. They then both took SAT in fall of Junior year and again in spring of Junior year. (The senior would have stopped, but was told that many schools wanted the new style SAT). Somewhere in the Junior year they took the ACT as well.
Good Luck all.
CM</p>
<p>Thanks candidatemom, wish we'd known that earlier. We were under the misconception that the PSAT was a one-shot deal and you couldn't take it again after taking the SAT. Won't matter now because the PSAT is next Saturday the 15th and Navy_Hornet will be in Vancouver WA at a marching band competition. We'll keep that in mind for the younger brother in about three years.</p>
<p>Good luck tomorrow to everyone taking the SAT. Good nights sleep and good breakfast.</p>