I’m a rising junior and I’m going to take the old SAT before it is retired. But when should I take it? Should I take it as soon as possible, in October? Should I take it in January so I can study during winter break? I have no idea and no preference. I got a 2140 on a practice test before prep and I want to get a 2300+ after prep. I’m doing all my prep this summer and I probably won’t be able to prep during the school year because I’ll be too busy.
My D who just graduated took it in October of her junior year. The prep also helped her simultaneously prep for the PSAT. This strategy worked for her. (It also leaves you plenty of time if you want to re-take it.)
More issues to consider for dsi411 and the rest of the Class of 2017, however, because the January SAT is the last “old” SAT but the October PSAT is the “new” PSAT…
Are you also prepping for the new PSAT in October? The October PSAT (Oct 14 at most schools) and SAT (Oct 3) dates are close, so you might not want to take them so close together, since they are different. Maybe the Oct. 14 PSAT and Nov. 7 SAT? However if your school is giving the Oct. 28 PSAT instead, then maybe the Oct 3 SAT and the Oct 28 PSAT?
I’d think that you’d want to give yourself time to take the SAT, get scores back, and then decide whether to take the January SAT. I think the Nov and Jan combination is the latest that works for that, and that is depending on the CollegeBoard to get scores back on time.
I’m also a rising junior, and I’m thinking of the November SAT date, then if needed, the January date (starting and aiming at the same scores as you are, @dsi411 . Prepping this month and the next, and taking 1-2 practice ones during the school year if I can find some time the weekend before. If those don’t work out, I’m hoping to take the ACT soon afterwards.
@Ynotgo Yes, I am also prepping for the new PSAT, but I’m not sure which date my school is administering it.
It sounds like November would be the best time to take it, I’ll wait to see if anyone else has any input but I’ll probably go for November.
Yikes! Sorry I did not realize that this was the new PSAT being administered this year. I think @Ynotgo’s advice here is good.
My son is Class of 2017 and in pretty much the same situation. Similar score on the June SAT to your practice SAT and similar goal SAT. He had been doing better on practice SATs, but didn’t feel too well that day and didn’t relate well with the essay topic.
He is thinking about taking a practice ACT or the free test that Princeton Review offices give to help you decide SAT or ACT. I’ll post again if we think of anything else regarding scheduling.
If one of your GCs is working over the summer in your counseling office, you can probably email them to find out the date. Our HS has a Google calendar that already shows their PSAT date.
Unfortunately we (c/o '17) are the College Board’s guinea pigs for the new PSAT AND the new SAT. I think I’m going to follow what @Ynotgo said.
If you are going for national merit, then you will need to prepare for the October PSAT and I think you will want to wait until at least March to take the new SAT. I have heard from a few high school administrators that National Merit candidates are expected to focus on the new test (I have not yet verified this for myself).
If you are not going for national merit, then I wouldn’t even worry about the PSAT and would just focus on the current version of the SAT.
If anyone else on the forum can verify my statements above about National Merit that would be appreciated.
Last spring, parents called NM and were told that the confirming score (usually 1960) for NMSF taking the 2015 PSAT could be an old SAT.
Considering that March 2016 scores won’t be out until June 2016, waiting until March to take the SAT would give very few opportunities for improvement to Class of 2017 students, especially any who want to apply ED somewhere.