Strategy on when to take first SAT

Test Preparation
1

I wanted to share our D21’s experience thus far in hopes it can help others. This board has been so helpful for us to learn from.

With such a heavy Junior year we really wanted a strategy about how best to fit in the SAT knowing midterms are in December and AP tests in May. We decided to have her take her first SAT exam 2 weeks after the October PSAT/NMSQT. The idea was that she had already prepped for the test and also didn’t want to get too far down the road of diving into AP Calc AB then having to switch gears studying past math classes.

Yesterday, she beamed showing us her 1500 score; 770M, 730RW. She will most likely take the test again but has an enormous weight lifted. Come springtime when there is the stress to get the final grades up and AP’s tests done, the SAT will be one less thing to worry about.

2

@krball Had the exact same thought processes - and results - here. S21 did far less prep during the summer than he had intended, and his PSAT prep was limited to taking 2 practice tests. But still, he was in “test” mode, so took the November SAT and got a 1490.

Yes, it is a relief to get that score on the books. He will take the school SAT in March, and subject tests on a Saturday date in March or June.

We learned a few lessons from S19. His first SAT was in December, and that was exhausting on top of semester papers and midterms. And he signed up for, then cancelled, May subject tests because of the conflict with APs.

Does anyone else miss the old Jan SAT date? I think it went away when the College Board added August, but it seemed perfect - you could study over Christmas break and it didn’t conflict with midterms/finals/APs.

3

Yep, SAT before or after PSAT as a Junior (October or November), then Feb/March if needed, and early Sr. year as emergency is a strategy that’s been kicked around here several times. It stays away from mid-terms, finals, AP tests.

4

Thanks RichInPitt. With this strategy, when would be the best times to take SAT subject tests?

5

Typically at the end of the school year in which the student completes the relevant course.

For example:

  • Math level 1: when student completes algebra 2 and geometry, or integrated math 3 (students who will complete precalculus by junior year or earlier should take math level 2 instead).
  • Math level 2: when student completes precalculus.
  • Physics: when student completes high school physics, or *both* AP physics 1 *and* 2.
  • Foreign language: when student is at the highest level of proficiency possible within test date constraints (which may be in fall of senior year if s/he will take the language during senior year; otherwise end of the school year when the student completes the highest level s/he will take).
6

Similarly: Chemistry, Bio, Histories, etc - after appropriate class. Literature after Junior year, assuming a Lit-related class that year.

Typically takenin June - another reason for the SAT schedule above - it leaves some post-AP study time and is hopefully before finals.

May or August as alternatives - study ahead or use the Summer to study - if needed.