<p>The deadline to register for the January SAT has been extended a few days. I was originally going to wait and test in March, but I feel like if I try them once in January, I'll get a better sense of where I stand. I'm a junior, I got a 201 on the PSAT (CR 67, Math 61, Writing, 73). CR, I just made a couple of stupid mistakes and I omitted even though i felt fairly confident, math is just my weakest subject. If I did decide to take it, I would prep like hell from now until test day. Any thoughts on whether I should take it or wait?</p>
<p>Also, I've heard that you can't take the SAT and SAT Subject tests in the same month, is this true?</p>
<p>Three weeks of studying, no matter how intense, isn't going to significantly influence your score. In fact, if you try to cram months of studying into three weeks you'll likely end up hurting yourself in the long run. When you try to absorb too much information in a short about of time you end up learning everything half-ass, and then mistakenly thinking you know it. Taking it in March (and most likely retaking it in May/June/October) gives you ample time to study and is your best course of action.</p>
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Also, I've heard that you can't take the SAT and SAT Subject tests in the same month, is this true?
<p>I would not take it in January. Taking the SAT on a whim just to see where you stand is not the smart man's way of doing things and you'll probably regret it. Start studying for the March SAT and do well then. Always be prepared and give it your best shot from the start :D.</p>
<p>If you're like most people and have midterms between now and Jan 24, I'd suggest you wait... prepping for both exams and SAT is not fun. Otherwise 3 weeks of prep can get you pretty far.</p>
<p>Because of the new SAT policy, I'd suggest taking it in January to see where you stand. If you have the money (or waivers), then an even better reason to go for it.</p>
<p>the reason you can't take subject tests and the reasoning test is that... well... it's on the same day. If you can figure out how to be 2 places at once, go for it, but otherwise, I don't think you can pull it off.</p>
<p>I would suggest not taking the SAT in January and wait until March. You'll have more time to get ready and be prepared so you'll probably do better. You can always retake it, but why not just take the SAT once, get a really high score, and get it over with? You'll save money and stress. Also, for me at least, the January date is right around midterms. You don't want to spend all your time studying for the SAT and not have enough time to focus on your schoolwork.</p>
<p>To get a sense of where you stand, you can buy the CollegeBoard official SAT study guide. It has 8 practice tests in it so it'll be good preparation.</p>
<p>You can't take the SAT Reasoning Test and the SAT Subject Tests in the same month because they're given on the same date at the same time. You can't be in two places at once. ;)</p>
<p>I took them in March, June, and October. I think that's better in terms of spacing them out. Besides, in March, they ONLY offer the SAT. Considering for me the January SAT was around midterms, I didn't want to be double-stressed.</p>
<p>Is there any way you could take a free SAT practice test at a library or Princton Review place near you? If not, I would take the Jan SAT. Don't go in completely cold; do one practice test before you take it. No need to study for days.</p>
<p>Taking a practice help can help you see where you stand and what you need to focus on. It can also help you prepare for test day in terms of stamina.</p>
<p>^No, you misunderstand. The key words were PREP COMPANY. A practice test as inaccurate as PR is a waste of your time. Though you take the test under timed conditions, you are taking the WRONG test. </p>
<p>If the TC wants some extra practice under timed conditions, he should either do a BB test timed or take an SAT (and not report it). Under no circumstances should he go to one of the PR testings.</p>
<p>I thought that the practice tests they would give you for free at local public libraries or at Princeton Review office were the same, old tests you could use to get used to the amount of time you had for each section.</p>
<p>My daughter took a practice test at a library but I remember some of her friends did practice tests at Princeton Review.</p>
<p>No, TCB releases very few of their official tests. If you want a real TCB test, you'll have to either buy the BB (Official SAT study guide), OC (Online Course), PSATs, or somehow find old QAS booklets. </p>
<p>These are the only real tests worth taking and analyzing, imo, because it's the only way to learn about the real test... by working with the real test.</p>
<p>If you have midterms in January then I would not spend time on preparing for the SAT but if you don't then I would start studying now. First you can get your PSAT booklet that your school should have sent home with your score report and figure out what you missed. If you don't have the booklet you can go online at ::</a> College Planning Made Easy | Inside Source for College Admissions Requirements and get explanations for the 08 PSAT.</p>
<p>Your school should have free copies of the Official SAT Practice Test 2008-09 or you can take it online at the same website. The practice test is actually the Oct. 05 SAT. Once you take it you can get explanations from the website. Doing both of these things will help you see where you should focus your attention over the next 3 weeks.</p>
<p>Taking the SAT in January will give you a chance to see how it feels to take a 4 hour test. The PSAT is only 2hrs 15 minutes. I was exhausted and very hungry after I took the December SAT. Next time I am going to get more rest and take better snacks for the breaks. If you think you really screwed up the test when you take it you can always cancel your scores within a couple of days.</p>
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^No, you misunderstand. The key words were PREP COMPANY. A practice test as inaccurate as PR is a waste of your time. Though you take the test under timed conditions, you are taking the WRONG test.</p>
<p>If the TC wants some extra practice under timed conditions, he should either do a BB test timed or take an SAT (and not report it). Under no circumstances should he go to one of the PR testings.
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<p>One of the major points of going to a free test session sponsored by the PR or any other company is to simulate real testing conditions, which can come extremely close to what it feels like to actually take an SAT. I know I personally have a hard time sitting at home, keeping track of my own time, and going through the whole test without being distracted by something. This type of practice is great for any first time SAT test takers that want to get some experience with what it feels like. </p>
<p>I also disagree with the theory that only BB tests are functional and others are useless. For one the math section and grammar sections should be extremely similar because both tests test concrete grammar rules/math formulas applicable to the real tests. After all, the prep companies base their own wording of problems around the style of the actual tests. CR can be a bit off but personally I benefited greatly from doing even CR from prep books. </p>
<p>I suggest any SAT taker to first go through the official tests, and if you are not satisfied with your score move on to other companies, because they really do help.</p>