When should I take SAT?

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

Hi guys, I am a current freshman going into sophomore year in high school, and I am wondering when I should take the SAT. Of course I know most people take it in spring of junior year (for me that would be spring of 2017), which would mean I should take the new SAT (comes out March 2016). My biggest concern about this is that the new SAT will be SO new at this point. I know some companies like Barron’s has already begun making a prep-book for the new SAT, but I am a little worried about how accurate it will be. I mean, how do you make a prep book for a test that has not even come out yet? That makes me not want to take the new SAT. Also, junior year is arguably the most important and hardest school year, so I presume that finding time to study will be very hard. Therefore, I feel that I should try to take it my sophomore year (this year) since many good books on the SAT offered now are already out. Do you guys think that this is a good idea?

If so, I have around 2 months of summer left (57 days to be exact). This year I will be taking AP Euro and AP Chemistry, and I do a lot of extracurriculars so I will not have much time during the school year. I will have the most time in the fall so I can get some studying done then, but if I am not going to take the new SAT, I would HAVE to take it before the winter. To make things more complicated, I am aiming for 2300+. I have taken the SAT before, and I got a 1800 (8th grade). I think I struggled with CR the most. In such a short amount of time, is such a jump from 1800 to 2300+ even possible? Or am I just being naive.

Lastly, since pretty much everyone on here is a genius, can you guys share some of the ways you studied to achieve a great score (2300+ for example ;)). Like good prep books, how long you studied, study strategies, etc.

Thank you for your time reading all of that, and any help would mean so much to me. Again, thanks so much.

2

Take it early on in your junior year. You should definitely take the new SAT and not the current one because of your grade level. They are making books for the new one, and there are several that are already out. I started studying about half way through my sophomore year, and that’s when the new SAT will come out for you so there will be better prep books available by that time.

The only way to get better is repetition, seeing what problems you tend to miss, and to fix those mistakes.

So basically, start studying 1/4 to halfway through your sophomore year with the prep books that come out. The Collegeboard blue book and Barron’s are usually best. All you can do is keep practicing. This is pretty much what I did and I got a 2280.

Also, if all this is such a worry for you, possibly consider the ACT.

3

@theflash123 My son is in the same position, after much thought he decided to take the new SAT in March 2016 and then again in Oct or Nov 2016. His reasoning is that he’ll have to take the NEW PSAT for National Merit so it’s better to stay with all new testing. He will take the new PSAT in 10th grade for practice and 11th grade for National Merit.
He doesn’t want to take the April SAT next year because it’s too close he’ll be studying for AP’s

Studying for the PSAT and the SAT are very similar so taking so it’s killing two birds with one stone.

4

Understood. Thanks for the input! @3scoutsmom

5

Anyone else have suggestions???