<p>I am going to be a freshman this semester and I need help. Various people talk about how they took the PSAT in their freshman year, but I though it was junior year. I have no idea when to take these tests! When did you take them, or when do you recommend to take them? Also, people say that you can take the SAT and the ACT twice, but you can only pick and choose which score you want with the ACT. Is that true? HELP! The reason I am frustrated with this is because I want to start preparing. Another thing, when do you recommend to start studying and preparing for these tests? </p>
<p>I took the PSAT in tenth grade and eleventh grade. The PSAT only “counts” in the National Merit competition when you’re a junior, but some people take it earlier for practice (usually sophomores, but sometimes freshmen).
I took SATs in ninth grade (talent search) and eleventh grade.
I took ACTs in seventh grade (talent search), tenth grade, and eleventh grade.
I took three SAT Subject Tests in June after my junior year.</p>
<p>I studied for the first PSAT, the second ACT, and two of the Subject Tests. My SAT scores were comparable to my ACT scores even though I didn’t specifically study for the SAT.</p>
<p>I think it was useful to start early like this because I got used to the process and I wasn’t as nervous when I took the later tests. Taking them relatively early was nice because I knew I’d have another chance if I screwed everything up. I would especially recommend taking the PSAT whenever you have the chance, because it’s cheaper than the SAT and it’s a good way to practice.
You can theoretically take them as many times as you want, as long as you give yourself enough time. I wouldn’t recommend taking them more than twice.
What do you mean? The SAT has [Score</a> Choice](<a href=“The SAT – SAT Suite | College Board”>Send SAT Scores to Colleges - SAT Suite | College Board). Some colleges require you to submit all your scores anyway, but I don’t think it matters that much. My first SAT score was a lot lower than my second one, but I don’t see why it’s a big deal for colleges to see the lower score. I’m obviously performing above that level now. </p>
<p>I personally recommend taking the SAT II’s as soon as you’re done with the class. I took them at the end of sophomore year and wish I had done them earlier. If you’re in precalculus, take math II right after that class is done. If you’re in any ap sciences, take the SAT II in the April, May, or June after the class is done.</p>
<p>Eh, score choice is spotty.</p>
<p>@halcyonheather Thanks for clearing some things up for me. I really appreciate it. But, I have a few more questions. When you say you took the PSAT in 10th grade, does that score keep on your record and does it count against you? I guess my main problem is about taking the test for practice, but end up having a horrible score that will count against me. But, like you said, you had another chance to take it, and the lower scores don’t matter that much anyway. </p>
<p>The PSAT isn’t used for colleges.</p>
<p>It’s a scholarship based test, or one used for practice.</p>
<p>I took PSATs twice in the Octobers of Sophomore and Junior year (required by HS).
I took SAT in May of Junior year…will be retaking in October.
Took SAT IIs (Math II and Lit) in June of Junior year. However, some people took Bio after freshman year, many took Latin after AP Latin of sophomore year/junior year.</p>
<p>I took the SAT in 7th and 8th grade for practice, since SAT scores before high school get wiped from the system… Last year (freshman year) I took the PSAT since my high school requires that all 9th-11th graders take it in school. Next fall I’m taking the PSAT again, and maybe some SAT IIs and the ACT.</p>
<p>We take the psat in sophomore and junior</p>
<p>PSAT - I took this once in october of my sophomore year and in october of my junior year
I recommend taking this at least once during your junior year because you may qualify for the national merit scholarship based on your performance. Also it’s good practice that doesn’t count against you. </p>
<p>SAT - I took this in november and january of my junior year and am planning to take it a 3rd time in october.
I recommend taking this early during your junior year, especially if your class rigor is tough. Then, if needed, take it one more time during your senior year. I don’t believe that you should exhaust too much time on this test. A good score doesn’t require endless studying. </p>
<p>ACT - Haven’t taken yet so I have no advice on this</p>
<p>SAT IIs - I’ve taken these in june of my sophomore and junior year. I recommened taking SAT IIs at the end of the year and to take ones that correspond with the classes you took that year. For example, it would be most advantageous to take the SAT Biology test after taking a biology course. </p>
<p>
You’ll always be able to access your old scores online, but you don’t send your PSAT scores to colleges when you apply, and only junior-year scores are used for determining National Merit Semifinalists.
You should always take practice tests from prep books before you take any real tests, because it’s best to minimize the number of tests you take so you don’t spend more money than necessary. But I don’t see why a lower score would count against you if you got a higher score later. (This is for the SAT/ACT. You should take the PSAT every year you can because it’s cheap and you don’t send the scores to colleges.) </p>
<p>8th grade PSAT (this is very unusual most 8th graders do not take the PSAT my kids need it for placement into out of district high school)</p>
<p>9th grade one AP exam (May)</p>
<p>10th grade PSAT (Oct), PLAN-pre ACT (Nov), SAT (March), one or two AP exams (May), Math 2 SAT2 (May)</p>
<p>11th grade PSAT (Oct), SAT second time (Jan), ACT (April) required by school, five AP exams (May) Chem and Physics SAT2 (May)</p>
<p>12th six AP exams (May) </p>
<p>We picked January for the second attempt at the SAT because this is after heavy prepping for the 11th grade PSAT for National Merit and allows for study over Christmas Break.</p>
<p>Start taking ACTs as soon as possible (you can start sophomore year). You can retake it as many times as you are willing to pay for it. You’ll want to retake it at least once anyway, and I think the earlier you start, the less stressful it is. </p>
<p>Many highly selective schools do not allow score choice and you must send every SAT and ACT, so the college counseling team at Ds school advises SAT once in Jan or march of Junior year, so can spend summer in SAT prep and retake in October of senior year if needed. SAT IIs whenever you feel ready after finishing work (Math was fine for my D in November), and APs after self-study or relevant courses. </p>
<p>My Testing schedule as of now (rising Junior):</p>
<p>October of 10th grade- PSAT
October of 11th grade- PSAT
November 11th grade- SAT
December of 11th- ACT? Not sure if I will take ACT at all. I am better at SAT
March of 11th- retake SAT if necessary
April- ACT retake?
May and June- Math 2, Chem, and French subjects test and probably also bio or physics.
Look at the requirements of the colleges and programs you want to apply to some require 2-3 subject tests, specific
Subjects tests, or none</p>
<p>I took my PSAT’s in October of sophomore and junior year.</p>
<p>I took my SAT’s December of junior year and I’m taking them again in October of senior year. </p>
<p>I took my ACT in June of junior year and I’m taking it again in September of senior year.</p>
<p>I took my SAT Subject Tests in May of junior year. </p>
I’m a sophomore right now but here is what I have planned:
Freshman Year- AP World History
Sophomore Year- ACT (December) PSAT (April) APUSH, AP Bio, and AP Euro (May) SAT II Molecular Biology (June)
Junior Year- ACT (October) SAT I (March?) ACT if needed (April) AP Chem, AP Calc BC, AP Physics, AP Lit (May) SAT II Chemistry (June)
Senior Year- ACT/ SAT if needed (whenever) AP Psychology, AP Lang, AP Spanish (May)
I think you should take your SAT II tests in June after the AP exams so that you are only focusing on one thing at a time. Also try to take both the SAT and the ACT because it looks good if you do really well on both of them, and if not you have a couple scores to pick from.
@nyuhopeful44
If you think you have a shot at National Merit you must take the October PSAT in 11th grade.
My school doesn’t offer it to juniors for some odd reason