<p>I know this is a tiny bit obsessive, but I had registered my hs junior for SATs in March and June. I just signed him up for a prep class that will start in March and end before the May exam. I'm wondering if I should move his March sitting to May? </p>
<p>One hand--he will have finished the exam prep class by the May exam, but that has him sitting two months in a row. (Any reason not to do that?)</p>
<p>Other hand--since you can now pick and choose which scores to report, maybe we could treat the March sitting as a "before" and the June as an "after"? (He will most likely take it a third time early next fall.)</p>
<p>FWIW, I signed him up for March, then asked if he'd prefer to re-take in May or June, and he said, "as late as possible". I don't know if it's beneficial to have more of a break between the two sittings? </p>
<p>I'm sure in the end it doesn't matter too much, but I know CC-ers have an opinion on everything!</p>
<p>D. said the prep class was waste of time. Studying with books was much more effective. Of course, everybody is different. Her reasonning: cannot improve speed of Reading beyond your speed, English section is just common sense for native English speakers, Science (ACT, not SAT) is just slower Reading, Math - can improve by taking tests from the book. So, she pourred all her efforts into Math, got score sufficient enough for her goal on her first try.</p>
<p>Is your S thinking of taking SAT Subject tests? If so, May is a good time to take subject tests if he has already put in prep time to take AP tests.</p>
<p>There's no reason to take the SAT in both May and June. You might use one of the dates to take the ACT instead.</p>
<p>We haven't discussed subject tests. I think we'd leave those for the fall, if at all. (His older brother did not end up taking any subject tests.)</p>
<p>I'll look into the ACT. I'm of the era that it was still very regional but I know most schools are taking it as well as SAT these days.</p>
<p>I think the test prep course can be helpful, depending on the company, the teacher and your child's motivation to improve. I would recommend taking the SAT soon after the prep. </p>
<p>If he does need SAT II's, he would do best to take them as soon as possible after the AP or honors level course in the subject. May is a big month for the most possible SAT II offerings.</p>
<p>It's much, much easier to take subject tests in May or June when the material is still fresh. I'd plan on doing that if any of the colleges he's like to apply to require them. I lean to taking the SAT in March so there's time to figure out what to study if you want to retake in May or June. I don't trust the prep company's practice tests at all.</p>
<p>Check the calendar for when the SAT-IIs your S wishes to take are offered. Not all SAT-IIs are offered at every sitting. Ask me how we know this! ;)</p>
<p>S1 took the SAT in March, and so will S2 -- if the score is good, it's "one and done." Otherwise, one can take it again later in the spring (unless there are SAT-IIs that need to be done while the course is still fresh). My rule is to avoid testing in the fall of senior year. Too much stuff going on, and the stress does not lead to good scores.</p>
<p>One of my kids' high schools offered a free practice SAT -- the deal is that you get to attend their presentation afterwards. S's score on the "practice" was almost 300 points lower than the PSAT score he made two weeks later. The test prep folks want your kid to test low-but-competitive on their practice tests so you feel there's a pressing need for their services to get your kid over the hump.</p>
<p>D took SAT I in March and a second one in May - she wanted to improve her writing score. She took SAT IIs in June - the material was fresh and she had one (summer) week to look over study guides before the test. Worked great.</p>
<p>ACT and SAT are given on different dates, so can be taken without conflict. SAT and SAT IIs are given at the same time and a choice must be made.</p>
<p>Yes, the June date is good, except it is right before finals week here. No one wants to use the time/energy on the SAT's while they are in the middle of prepping for exams. It's not even on the table as an option.</p>
<p>
[quote]
... I had registered my hs junior for SATs in March and June. I just signed him up for a prep class ... I'm wondering if I should move his March sitting to May?
[/quote]
The thing that strikes me is that the subject isn't quite right in this text - it shouldn't be "I," it should be "he." This is a perfect moment to start on the right foot with your son's college process. He signs up for the tests and he makes the final decision on when to take them. Parents are good at paying for the tests and bringing up issues the kid may not have thought about (while still deferring the decisions to the kid). I think it will help you in the long run in the college process if you shift the roles so your son is more in charge.</p>
<p>Well, we can't be too hard on each other or none of us will be left standing. I think most of us get into the helicoptering to some extent. If not, we surely wouldn't be here on CC :-).</p>