<p>Hey everyone,</p>
<p>So I have a unique situation to deal with pretty quickly for this weekend. I'll do my best to explain it quickly!</p>
<p>Basically, I have been signed up for the October SAT Subject Tests for a few months now. I was planning on doing this, and over the summer I checked my marching band director to make sure there were no conflicts (since it's right in the middle of marching band season for competitions and such). Now, a few weeks back, my director decided to tell me that he scheduled the most major competition of the season on the same test date.</p>
<p>Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but I am section leader for bass drums, and I lead three other people who are all completely new to marching (two of which are freshmen). All of a sudden it has become a big deal that I am missing this competition, even though I gave the director advanced notice and he specifically said there would be no conflicts. </p>
<p>So now I have a decision to make: I can either change my test date to the November one (since this is the latest test date for which to sign up for all of my Early Action schools), or I can keep the test date as it is, and also sign up for the November date to give myself two chances.</p>
<p>Here's what I have come up with so far. My main reason for posting is to get unbiased, outside opinions on the matter. The director has ultimately given me the right to decide, but now I'm incredibly conflicted.</p>
<p>Pros for doing competition: I would be able to participate in both activities (by switching to November test date and doing the competition in October), I have extra time to improve on my weaknesses, I will (hopefully) be able to lead my section and win some awards, and my time will not have been wasted during rehearsals</p>
<p>Cons for doing competition: There is a change fee involved (financial pressure, when considering all of the other college related fees), I have no chance to retake, I will be cutting it very close for the deadlines on the Early Action schools (they specifically mention "on or before November date"), our performance doesn't last very long (and there's no guarantee for winning anything), I will be put in a lot of pressure to perform well the first time, and I won't have a chance to get used to the test</p>
<p>Alright, there's all of the information. For those who were kind enough to take the time to read all of that, what are your thoughts? Should I move the test date to November (and do the performance) or keep it how it is?</p>