Senior Year, my last chance... What do I do?

Hey everyone. I have already taken the PSAT twice, once in sophomore year and once in junior year. I took the SAT for the first time this past summer in June, as well as the ACT. I got a 2050 on the SAT and a 32 on the ACT.

I am definitely going to retake both this fall, as I think I can boost my score up a little bit in each hopefully.

But I am now debating taking subject tests. Is it too late for me as a senior to take subject tests? And if not, which ones should I take? The signups for the fall SAT are available once in October and once in November (I don’t want to go any later just due to most college application deadlines). So would you recommend taking the SAT Subject tests BEFORE taking the second SAT (taking subject tests in Oct. and retake SAT in Nov.), or do you think it would be a better bet to do it the other way around? It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but I’m just trying to take into account the time for studying/preparing as well as possible college application deadlines.

Thanks for any advice!

Did you study for these before taking? How did these compare to your PSAT? These are both already good scores, and you might not be able to bring them up much more in a few short months, especially if they are in line with your past PSAT scores and you studied.

Do you need subject tests for the schools you are applying to? Only some schools require these. Take subjects that you have the strongest background in.

Are you planning to apply ED or EA? You will have time to take all if you are doing regular decision, but some early deadlines have test deadline requirements too.

@NorthernMom61
I studied for the SAT for a couple of weeks before taking it. I boosted my PSAT score, which was 194 (I think that equates to about 1900). I think if I study more and learn from my past mistakes I might be able to bring some of it up, at least in math.
I also think if I take the ACT a second time I might be able to boost my scores by managing my time a lot better (made a mistake by taking too long in the science section), and, similarly to the SAT, boosting up math a little bit.

I don’t have a particular college in mind yet, just a large list of colleges. I need to look into them more. From what I can tell, they do not require subject tests, but is it not true that they make an application look better if done well? Especially if I want to get into a more prestigious college? Although I don’t plan on going into a math or science major.

Okay, no, I’m not planning to apply to EA or ED.

Also, I’m wondering, does turning in my application later rather than earlier affect my chances (if it’s still before the deadline)? So would submitting an application in October have better chances than submitting one in November, or does that not matter unless it’s before the deadline?

You probably should prioritize the ACT and SAT retakes. From what you describe you may be able to squeak them up some. Then if you need subject tests for the prestigious schools you may have to take them in November and apply regular decision. If a school doesn’t ask specifically for them, then subject tests probably won’t make a difference.

@NorthernMom61 Okay, thank you. The more I consider it and look into it, the more I think that subject tests probably won’t be beneficial for me, since they are mostly required for engineering/math/science majors…

With that being said, would it be best to take the SAT in October or November? I think having that extra month to prepare would be beneficial, but I’m a little nervous because I know UC deadlines are at the end of November… According to the website, November scores would be available by November 24th but I’m nervous that something might happen and I wouldn’t get them in time… Is that fear kind of irrational? Or do you think it’s just a safe bet to take the October one? Sorry for all the questions!

Take them as soon as you can, the September ACT, and the October SAT. One more month probably won’t make a huge difference and there are other parts of the applications that you will need to work on like the essays. It is doable if you break it down in your planning.

@NorthernMom61 Okay, that is what I will do. Thank you for the advice!

You are welcome, and best of luck to you.