Should I Change My Test Date?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<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>Finally, I should also mention deadlines for schools that require this test. Two schools will accept the November test date. One school will not accept it, and if I take the November date, I will have to change to Regular Decision. The last school I'm not sure about, so I will email them and find out.</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>

2

<p>Change your test date. Even though your director gave you the option, it is poor form to miss a competition.</p>

3

<p>Change the date, you’ve put in a lot of time into practicing and you’ll have extra time to study.</p>

<p>Also you can retake the subject tests December 6th if need be. </p>

4

<p>@QuadMaster I actually don’t have the option for that date. This test is going towards Early Action schools, and the deadline is November at the latest. Additionally, I may have another music conflict with that day (this time for choir).</p>

<p>@guineagirl96 So I should switch to Regular Decision for that school then? It’s Caltech, by the way, if I didn’t mention that at all.</p>

5

<p>I just wish I would have been told this sooner. Because my only two options to take this test are October and November, for Early Action. The one school I’m really wanting to get a good score for is MIT. I’d rank that one over Caltech, and MIT accepts the November date. </p>

<p>My biggest concern is that I will have only one chance to score well. Is it even feasible to get 800s on the Physics and Math II tests on the first time? I took practice tests in the “Official SAT Subject Tests guide” and got 800s on both. I only missed two on the math, but I was on the lower end of the 800 range for the physics test (I missed 10).</p>

6

<p>I’d say skip the band competition but do what you want.</p>

7

<p>Its absolutely feasible to get an 800 the first try on the subject tests. I honestly think honoring your commitment to the band is more important.</p>

8

<p>@guineagirl96 Thank you for your input! I’ll have to think about switching to Regular Decision for Caltech, but that would be the only huge problem other than the change fee. </p>

9

<p>@guineagirl96 Also, I’m not sure how much experience you’ve had with the Subject Tests, but do you know where I can find extra practice? I’ve done the “Official SAT Subject Tests Guide” and got 800s, and I have one more Barron’s test left. I’m averaging around 770 in physics (in Barron’s) and 800 in math.</p>