<p>Does taking the SAT as a sophomore give you a better standing in colleges?
Or maybe it just makes junior year a little less stressful? A few of my friends took it as sophomores and I'm wondering if it helps them get into colleges by taking it earlier.
Any thoughts?
Thanks. Sorry if this has been asked before...</p>
<p>Its generally a smarter idea. Sophomore year you won’t be taking many classes that are that hard, therefore you have more time for prep. Also, it does look slightly better to colleges but it will most likely not make much more difference than a subconscious impression. </p>
<p>You should do it. A person I knew did it and got a 2340 and he’s done now.</p>
<p>Honestly, it depends. Junior year is the busiest year of high school, so it might be a good idea to take it during sophomore year. It would take away a little bit of stress). </p>
<p>Colleges won’t care what year you take the SAT as long as you take it. There is no up-side of taking the SAT before junior year that is relevant to your motivation. It’s like skipping a grade. It might be useful in some way or another (for example, I skipped a grade so that my parents could save a year’s worth of private school tuition, which is a lot), but colleges won’t care. Only take the SAT when you feel ready.</p>
<p>If you score really high on all of your practice tests and feel like you can ace the SAT, then I would definitely recommend taking it sophomore year.</p>
<p>BUT if you’re scoring low and just want to get the SAT over with, then don’t do it. If you wait until junior year, then you’ll have a lot of time for extra practice. If you think you’ll do /alright/ on the SAT, then study more and wait to take it during junior year. Some colleges don’t accept score choice, so keep that in mind.</p>
<p>Be cognizant of the fact that you generally shouldn’t take the SAT more than three times. If you’re not confident in your ability to do well, don’t waste one of those three chances.</p>
<p>I took it mid-sophomore year and scored a 2330. Although I could technically stop here, I’m planning to take it again in October for the 2400 (junior year). I’m retaking the SAT cause I still have time, and also, it feels nice to know that atleast I already have a 2300+ score. If you take it during soph year, you have time to improve and know your strengths/weaknesses. </p>
<p>Well, it’s still mainly up to you. Good luck either way.</p>
<p>I took the SAT as a sophomore and scored a 2360. Took five months and 20+ practice tests, so it’s good I did it this year.</p>
<p>I would take it as a sophomore, ONLY if you are 1)highly motivated 2)have the time 3)reasonably intelligent to begin in. If you score over a 2100 cold on a practice test, then seriously consider doing it. It’ll definitely relieve a lot of stress later on. </p>
<p>Be aware that some colleges may not take sophomore scores; most do. I emailed MIT, Berkeley, and a couple other schools of that caliber and they were all fine with it, though Carnegie Mellon “prefers” junior/senior. Something to think about.</p>
<p>I’m confused now? Isn’t the SAT in sophomore year only experimental (i.e no scores are officially recorded for college) I think I’ve wasted a trial :(</p>
<p>@knaar227, that is the PSAT. Plenty of sophomores take the PSAT as practice so in their junior year they already know what it is like. As for the SAT, i don’t think so. I took the SAT in 8th grade for a talent search, and i know THAT IS experimental and won’t count as a trial.</p>