<p>My son, a rising junior, is self-studying this summer for the PSAT/SAT using various books, ie. RocketReview, Maximum SAT, Grubers (for math), Up Your Score, BB. He plans on combining studying from these prep books with Xiggi's method of taking BB tests. He may work one-on-one w/ a tutor as well for just 5-10 hours. Ideally, he would like to get somewhere in the 700s. He took a fake PSAT (the Oct. 08 PSAT) cold (never saw one before) at his school this past May and got 690CR, 670M and a 530W. So the question is when do you think it will be best for him to take the SAT (he'll take the PSAT on Oct. 24, 09). Is it better to take it when you can get the Q & A service? How helpful is that in improving your scores? He'll probably take it at least twice. Which two would be optimum?</p>
<p>matters if he plans to take the subject tests aswell. Personally, I took my first one in march and 2nd one in May. I took the subject tests in June and then will take it for the last time in oct of senior year. Since ur son is preparring so early it may be better for him to take it in december and march or any of those dates right after the oct psat (can’t remember dates off top of my head)</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Ideally, he should get it out of the way as early as possible, maybe even as early as this October (as I’m doing). Some of my friends have taken it in november and December though, after having practiced throughout the summer. There should definitely be a relatively large gap between the first and second test, so the first one should really be taken no later than January.</p>
<p>^ So are you taking it before the PSAT? I think taking the first test early, by Jan. the latest, sounds like a good idea. And then if need be, taking the second in March. That would leave the following 2 months for prepping the SAT IIs and APs. Hopefully he’ll do well enough on those 2 exams so that he won’t need to prep for any exams next summer, and senior fall will just be about apps., final college visits and interviews.</p>
<p>It’s best to take it whenever he’s best prepared</p>
<p>Take it Dec/Jan. Then if needed, take it a second time in March (or study a bit more and do May/June, like I did; of course May/June is also SAT IIs). That leaves space for third SAT I or second SAT II in Fall if needed.</p>
<p>Take it in Dec/Jan, then May. Then leave June for SAT IIs.</p>
<p>Jan and May both have the advantage that you can send for the question and answers (QAS) – that’s helpful when you are trying to figure out what you did wrong to prepare for next time. October too, I think.</p>
<p>I’m planning on October right now. When you’re preparing for the SAT you’re basically preparing for the PSAT as well. To get them done in a relatively close period of time is a smart decision. You have said that your son is focusing on studying this summer, so when classes start it would be a bummer if he’s burdened with both school work and SAT prep. At least that’s how I see it. June would be a good time to take the SAT II’s. Take the ones that he’s studied throughout the year, i.e AP Biology – Take the Biology SAT II. Good Luck!</p>
<p>I just took mine in January, it was over with very early, and I had plenty of time to re-take if I would have decided to.</p>
<p>I’m going to be taking it this October too which gives me about 70 days to study. If I don’t feel prepared when October comes, I’ll just move it to another day. Remember that CB is pretty flexible</p>
<p>I think at my school it is recommended that we are to take the SATs in March of our junior year because it gives us enough time to retake it if desired, and we’ve learned a good amount during that school year. </p>
<p>However, whenever your son feels he is ready to take the SAT is probably the best time.</p>