<p>You can take the ACT and SAT in June (offered different Saturdays). The Junior year PSAT is for national merit program consideration. If you have not been offered the PSAT as a sophomore, take the SAT in June, and also do more SAT prep over the summer for fall PSAT.</p>
<p>After you take the PSAT, then you can start looking at prepping for ACT score improvement. Look at ACT practice tests - the level of math is not that high, but you have to work quickly on each section - you do not want to run out of time. </p>
<p>The ACT science section is looking at the information on charts and being able to answer quickly - they put down a ton of info, so some kids spend so much time looking at things rather than assessing where the info is and finding the answers. DD1 kept improving on science; DD2 never got a great science subscore.</p>
<p>There are plenty of test prep kind of classes out there and also one-on-one tutoring. DD1 bumped ACT up one more point for extra $12,000 automatic scholarship ($3000/year). My DD2 got her ACT score up for much better automatic scholarships (presidential level) with hard work (her GPA is 4.0 uwted/4.2 wted; took AP Calc AB junior year and lots of AP courses; college prep HS with plenty of homework). DD2 had plenty of 1-on-1 tutoring and practice tests.</p>
<p>Be the best student you can be, and use good test taking strategies.</p>
<p>In the mean time, learn what you can about schools that are affordable to you and where you have good chances for scholarship $$. Are you planning on staying in the SE? Have some college visits to find out if you prefer small, med, lg. What about large state school with honors programs. What do you want to study? Find out what you can from GC and older student experiences/other families.</p>