<p>I have yet to take either SAT's and I'm a sophomore in high school. When is the optimal time to take the SAT? In junior year? What part of junior year? I haven't even so much as looked at a prep book. </p>
<p>SAT reasoning and ACT – one each in junior year. If not satisfied, do additional preparation for the initially higher one and retake in senior year.</p>
<p>SAT subject – if applying to schools that need them, any time after completing the courses whose material that the subject tests cover.</p>
<p>I would give time to take the SAT/ACT 3 times, because you may need that 3rd time. I say take them for the first time early in Jan. Then, you can prep and retake at the end of your junior year. And if you’re still not happy with your score, you can study all summer, for the beginning of your senior year.</p>
<p>For subjects, it’s best to take them in May right as AP tests finish up.</p>
<p>Your first step should be to figure out which test (SAT or ACT) is a better fit for you. Then focus on preparing for that one test.</p>
<p>Most kids take the SAT or ACT test during junior year. However, if you’re ready for the test in your sophomore year, take it then. In recent years, I’ve known a number of motivated sophomores who prepared for the test, took it once, and reached their score targets. It worked out very well for them. They were able to focus on sports, other extracurricular activities, and AP classes in the junior/senior years.</p>
<p>If you plan to apply to colleges that require Subject test scores…
Take 2 or 3 Subject tests when you are prepared for them, i.e., any time after you complete the corresponding class. Invest as much prep time is needed to earn the score you want. (Depending on the student, this can vary from one practice test to several weeks of preparation.) Although many students take Subject tests in May or June of the junior year, you shouldn’t feel compelled to take the tests then. Some students take a Subject test immediately after the corresponding class is completed, whereas others take the Subject test 1-2 years later and still do well.</p>
<p>Check the College Board Subject test schedule if you plan on taking any of the foreign language tests with listening. They’re only offered on certain test dates.</p>
<p>I would hold off on taking the SAT or ACT until the spring of your junior year. Retake them as necessary in the summer and fall of your senior year (you will start to get busy with college apps in the fall however). As for subject tests, take them immediately after or near the end of the corresponding class you are in at school. You’d be surprised how quickly most people forget the material they learned…</p>
<p>^^^^ there are no tests offered in the summer</p>
<p>SAT II - Take these at the end of the year, sophomore or junior year.</p>
<p>SAT I - People are saying to take this during the spring of your junior year, but I suggest getting the SAT done as soon as possible. So either the fall or winter of your junior year would be an optimal time to take it because of ap exams in may or the possibility of retaking the SAT. Good luck!</p>
<p>@satman1111 Oh, I meant the June SAT. Sorry if that wasn’t clear.</p>
<p>SAT II’s are best taken after AP tests or around the time of your finals. Do be careful if your high school course covers the same material as the subject test. For example, my Honors World History class was very basic compared to the questions the subject test asked for. </p>
<p>SAT’s should be taken sophomore second sem or junior first sem. Don’t wait till senior year when you’re busy with apps to stress over them. </p>
<p>Agree with Bartleby above. No need to take both SAT & ACT ‘for real’. Take practice tests at home to determine which exam you prefer, and then just prep for that one. While spring of sophomore year is not too early, you might be better off waiting until Fall of Jr year. I would not wait until spring of Jr year to take first test. Too many variables from weather delays to winter illness. </p>
<p>Look at your own EC or athletic schedule and determine when you can carve out the needed prep time. </p>
<p>I highly suggest taking the SAT II’s as soon as possible after AP tests in corresponding subjects, if applicable for the tests. This will make your life much easier as far as studying goes, as the tests are quite similar in reality.</p>
<p>As for the SAT I and the ACT, I agree with other posters here; you should figure out which one will fit you best and then prepare for that one rather than trying to prepare for both. These more general tests can be taken any time of the year, and therefore should be planned based on when you have time in your schedule.</p>
<p>^^^^^^</p>
<p>The only reason I would say to take a real test of each first (instead of just practice ones) before you decide which to study for, is because practice tests are very different from the real environment. When I did practice tests, I would always do a little bit worse than on the actual test day.</p>
<p>I would say to prepare for the SAT1 thoroughly over the summer before Junior, then take the first test in the Winter of Junior. If you are not getting your expected score, retake it in Spring. For SAT2, you should take it when in June after corresponding AP exam. You can take it in Sophomore or Junior year whenever you have appropriate classes taken. For Math2, you should take it when you are taking pre-Calc. Ideally, try to avoid retaking any test in Senior. At least, don’t plan for it unless it is really necessary. You will be very busy in filling up college application and writing essays by that time. Also, you will be running out of time for EA/ED application if you are relying on a test score in senior.</p>
<p>In any case, do not take a real test without preparation or when you are not ready for it. If you do not reach your target score in a practice test, you are not going to get that score in a real test.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>SAT subject tests cover regular high school level material, not AP level material. So if your high school courses are of good quality, and you do well in them, taking SAT subject tests right after the regular high school courses should be fine. However, if your high school courses are of poor quality, then you may have to do additional preparation (especially if you won’t take the AP course in the subject until senior year, or at all).</p>
<p>Note that the SAT subject tests in math do not include any AP calculus or statistics. So waiting until taking an AP course is of no help for the math ones (take level 2 any time after completing precalculus and trigonometry; take level 1 at the end of junior year if you are not advanced in math and only complete algebra 2 and geometry by then). Of course, you may have to do additional preparation if your high school math courses are of poor quality.</p>