I confused as to how you can send the scores to colleges before you have even seen your scores yourself. Is there any benefit to doing this? Also, can juniors who have not started their application process do this?
If you’re not sure how you did in the test, I’d advise you not to send your scores before even seeing them.
As to how you can send them: under the section of the test on your CollegeBoard account, there’s an option to “Send Score”. Mention the names of the institutions or their code number and success!
CollegeBoard gives you the chance to send the scores for free to 4 institutions within 10 days of taking the test. If you have no issue with paying to send these scores, then there’s no need to send them before hand.
I previously sent my scores to an institution in November, but later submitted my application early January, so it worked for me. However, I’m not 100% sure if that would work for a junior.
Yes it will work for a Junior, Sophomores too. I advise my kids to use their free scores sends. Some universities use this as ‘demonstrated interest’, most universities state they only consider the highest score and some universities super score, other universities require you send all scores anyway.
My kids take the SAT near the end of sophomore more year and Oct of Junior year and they have not had any issues with sending scores early. They even send their scores to National Merit before they take the PSAT in 11th grade and there hasn’t been any problem. They only reason not to use the free score sends is if you plan to use “score choice” Hopefully you’ll have taken several timed practice tests BEFORE the actual test and so you’ll have a good idea what your score will be.