My son, a junior in high school, wants to apply EA to Harvard next fall, which means he needs to apply by its deadline of Nov. 1. He has taken the SAT Math II a while back, so one’s out of the way. Now, he needs to take another SAT Subject Test (Biology). But because he’s also taking a regular SAT on May 7, he’s only got June 4 and Oct. 1 to take the Bio Subject Test. Now, because of several AP and IB exams all taking place in May (along with the above mentioned regular SAT test on May 7), he feels he’s going to be overwhelmed and has no time to prepare for the SAT Bio test on June 4. He prefers to pass it and take the subject test on Oct. 1. However, this means he’ll only have one crack at it with no assurance that he’d do well the first time with the bio test.
My question is: is it possible to take the SAT Bio test on Oct. 1 and another try, should the first one didn’t go well, on the following available SAT test day, which I believe is Nov. 5, AND still be able to apply EA to Harvard? In other words, does Harvard need to have all tests scores submitted by the deadline of Nov. 1, or can they wait for the test result for Bio test that was taken on Nov. 5, that is, past the deadline?
“October 31 Early Action applicants: We request that you submit your standardized tests by the end of October. However, you are still eligible to apply using the November series as they should reach us in time for consideration.”
but i heard that college board did’t released March SAT II test scores so far.
This time crunch is why I don’t understand the advice from my S’s HS to not take any standardized tests (except PSAT / PLAN) until Spring of Senior year. The Class of 2017 has had to deal with the new SAT as well. I went against their advice and my S took the ACT this past Fall. No March SAT scores yet, 4 AP tests looming, then 2 SAT II and ACT in June. When is there time to take the tests 2 times and apply ED/EA? I sure wish tests were offered in July and August (I know SAT is adding Aug, but too late for 2017).
Colleges that have early Nov application deadlines for ED or EA typically do not require scores to be in their hands by the application deadline date although there are a small number, which includes Mich, that do. Most of the others are divided between those that accept the Oct test even though it may arrive after the application deadline and those, like the ivies, that accept through the Nov test, as long as it arrives in time to be considered (by about late Nov/early Dec). Also, many of those which accept Nov tests want you to name the college as one to automatically receive scores upon release in your test registration, which results in the fastest form of delivery that is timely – scores are actually sent to many colleges two days before the test takers even get them online-- but also means they will be sent before you know the scores. In any event , you need to check the rules of each college to which you intend to apply EA or ED to determine the last test you can take.
This school year, beginning last fall, has seen some problems for getting test scores out promptly. Most of the problems in the fall were with ACT which changed its essay portion of the test which resulted in significant delays in getting them graded and scores sent to colleges. This spring has seen the issue mainly with SAT due to the new SAT test which delays have spilled over into the subject tests but likely those delays were expected and possbily next fall College Board will have things under control, but it is an unknown at this point.
High schools promoting the junior year SAT spring tests are mainly concerned with students taking the SAT too soon to do well on it which can happen to many who take tests earlier than that, although with subject tests, you likely want to take them soon after you have taken the applicable class even if that is earlier than second semester junior year. Nevertheless, with the typical junior taking the SAT test in March or even as late as May in junior year still leaves the ability to take the June and Oct tests, and for many, including Harvard, the Nov tests, for EA and ED,
While all of the advice given is both accurate and solid, I’d like to get back to the original question, and I admit that I may be reading between the lines. If so, disregard.
If one of those AP/IB exams is Bio, it really makes more sense to take the subject test this year (ideally in May by moving SAT to June, but June works as well). Once summer comes and the next school year begins, your son will be heavily involved in his new course work, not to mention writing college apps, to spend much time reviewing subject material from 6 -12 months ago. Good luck.
@skieurope – Thank you for your helpful response. Totally agreed. Since I posted that, we had another look at the situation and came to the same conclusion. He IS taking the AP Bio exam in May, so we felt it made it sense to follow that up with the SAT subject test soon after. In fact, I JUST registered my son for the June 4 for the Bio E/M subject test. He had already registered for his second try at New SAT I in May, so that’s already taken up but it shouldn’t make any difference.