@IxnayBob I did not confuse strategy and outcome but thank you for attempting to clarify nonetheless. The lack of preparation (strategy-good or bad) does not necessarily dictate score (outcome).
@CaringMom07 We took the strategy of letting DD just focus on her academics junior year. She had 5 AP exams as your daughter will. Scheduled SAT and SAT subject tests for late spring, AFTER APs, when course load is very lightened and knowledge base is strongest organically. My kid has never studied for any standardized tests (SAT, PSAT, SAT Subject tests or ACTs) and has without exception gone in overtired (1am bed time +/_) but has scored well consistently. We banked on her in school AP prep helping her be ready for the standardized tests by virtue of the fact they involve subject content review. You can’t prep for aptitude. It is nice to be familiar with a testing format but DD had a 5 in AP Calc BC sophomore year as did your D and she scored an 800 on the new SAT Math section end of junior year without having known anything about the new format.
I don’t recommend going in with no preparation or little rest. But don’t get worked up trying to squeeze in prep if there isn’t time. And if she wants to prep, she should really consider using College Board;s own test prep materials.
You’re assuming that the SAT and ACT actually measure aptitude. Has this ever been established?
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Let’s not go there - it will only spark debate.