When is the best time to take the SAT/ACT and SAT Subject Tests?

I believe the norm in my school is to take SAT/ACT junior year. During that time in math I will be taking Algebra2/Trig, which I’ve heard is on the tests so I don’t want to take it early in junior year because I won’t be prepared. However I feel that taking it at the end of junior year isn’t beneficial because I will have to study for finals and Regents (im in New York) at the same time. Taking it later in junior year also doesn’t give you too much time before college apps to retake it if you want a better score. Any Advice?

Also when do people normally take SAT Subject tests? Is that during junior year also?

They should take them at the end of the academic year in which they take the class, so May or June,

We all have multiple priorities at the same time. Some kids also have AP exams at the time as well. It is what it is. However, if you’re preparing for finals, there really should not be much extra time needed to prep for the Subject Tests.

Depends on the student and the exam. Some take some Subject Tests earlier than junior year if they’ve completed the material, like bio or chem. But most seem to take it junior year.

Thank you!

As far as retaking in the fall, you should have 1-2 test dates available to you even if you have EA/ED deadlines. And, you’ll have all summer to prep, if you want to (or need to!).

Good advice, thanks!

My son will be sitting for 2 - 3 subject tests in August right when he starts senior year so that’s an option as well. When I checked they offered most of the standard subject tests that month.

Oh ok thanks!

I’m a senior in high school, I took my SATs in October and April (my state offers School Day SATs in April, not a nationwide test date) of my junior year, and took Subject Tests in June and just a couple of days ago in August. I preferred to get all my testing done ASAP, however, and I know people who just took their SATs in August and are taking Subject Tests in October. I would recommend studying for the SATs during the summer between your sophomore and junior years, and taking the test that August/October. That time, if you need to retake, you still have some time before your finals and all that start up, and there would be multiple test dates you could take.

August/October of junior year might be too early for as student that did not go through Algebra 2 yet. I think for a student that is not accelerated in math starting testing in March of junior year makes more sense. Some schools have February/winter break that can help with studying. After that and depending on schedule students can use May or June of junior year and then August/October of senior year. Depends really of the schedule. The SAT tests are given first week of the month so if the APs are end of May and finals mid to end of June there might be still time to go through SAT testing. Of course it all depends on the individual and particular school.