When to take SAT & SAT subject tests !

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hi, I'm currently a junior, about to be upcoming senior.</p>

<p>I've taken 2 SAT so far (March 2012 and May 2012)</p>

<p>I got a 1870 on my March SAT, and May SAT score is about to be released in 3 days.</p>

<p>I don't think i did well on the May one..</p>

<p>I also signed up for the June SAT as well (which is about in 12 days), and that makes my 3rd SAT..</p>

<p>I've heard and read forums that talked about how taking more than 3 SATs is generally bad, and if i don't score well on the June SAT again, I'm afraid i have to take the 4th SAT on October, even 5th SAT on November.</p>

<p>(I really wanted to finish SAT before my senior year because i want to prepare for subject tests and ACT)</p>

<p>So, If i choose to take them again in October, wouldn't that limit my opportunity to take SAT II since they are on the same day?</p>

<p>I'm planning to take subject test for math I, math II, physics, and Korean.</p>

<p>I'll summarize my questions:</p>

<ol>
<li>Would it really look bad if i take more than 3 SATs? (possibly 4.. worst scenario.. 5..) </li>
</ol>

<p>2.Do you guys think taking the June SAT is worth it at this point? Or should I wait until the October SAT? </p>

<p>If i do decide to wait until the October SAT, I'm gonna have hard time preparing for the October SAT along with ACT and 4 other subject tests.. </p>

<p>What do you guys think? </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<ol>
<li><p>Don’t take too many tests… the higher up the college, the less courteous they are to those that take the SAT or ACT more than 3 times. Though 3 is the magic number for those on CC, 3 is a pretty good stopping point.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t take my word for it, but I would recommend taking your LAST SAT in October. If you constantly keep taking them, you’ll see little to no improvement across tests without extensive practice. Study and practice for the October SAT, in my opinion.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Maybe someone with more experience in prepping for the SAT can answer some of these questions more thoroughly…?</p>

3

<p>So, if i were to take the SAT on October, do you think it’s possible to take all 4 subject tests that i listed on there on November?</p>

<p>Is November the last day I can take the subject tests before college admission?</p>

4

<p>You can only take three subject tests in one day. Why are you taking both math I and II? I’d say drop one of those.
My daughter is in the same boat- hoping the May scores are “ok enough” to let her take subject tests in June. She needs them and I’m afraid waiting until fall will hurt her in terms of remembering stuff like US history or physics from this year… she wants to use June to take the SAT again if her score Thursday isn’t good enough.
Difficult situation isn’t it? Good luck!</p>

5

<p>As noted, you can take only three subject tests on a test date. You also need to check which tests are given on a particular date because some are not given on all dates. For those colleges that require subject tests, you are required to submit two in different subjects and math 1 plus math 2 will equal only one. Also, there are some colleges, such as the UCs and Caltech that will not accept the math 1. You need three subject tests for only two colleges, Johns Hopkins and Georgetown, which recommend three SAT subject tests but do not require them. In other words your list of four should be decreased by at least one, and you should likely eliminate math 1.</p>

<p>Colleges vary as to the time by which all testing must be completed. For early action or early decision, the last test date is either Oct or Nov of your senior year, depending on college; for regular admission it is either Dec or Jan. (Note there are a small number of colleges that want all testing done by Nov for regular admission but none of those use subject tests for admisison.)</p>

<p>Taking SAT more than 3 times is not likely to be held against you even by high ranked colleges but you are unlikely to actually improve with a fourth sitting.</p>

6

<p>I’m thinking about taking the June test, and if I dont feel confident about how I did, I’m going to cancel it and prepare for the October test… What do you guys think?</p>

7

<p>Dasanii water?</p>

8

<p>Before you take another SAT - take the ACT. From everything I’ve read - it’s suggested kids take both tests early on. Some students will just feel more comfortable with one test than the other - and then pick one and focus on it and take it three times total. You’ve already taken the SAT three times. At this point, I would suggest studying for the ACT and take it this fall in October. After you get your score - you can determine if you should take the SAT a fourth time or take the ACT again.</p>

<p>Subject tests are not even necessary - depending on what schools you are applying to. Based on your scores - not to be harsh - but I doubt the schools on your list would even need or want SAT subject test scores. So you might check the websites of schools you are interested in and see if you even need to bother with subject tests.</p>

9

<p>MaterMia:
Should i just take the June SAT and cancel it if i don’t feel like i did well?
I’m aiming for 2100. </p>

<p>I was planning to study ACT anyway in summer. </p>

<p>What do you think?</p>

10

<ol>
<li><p>Only if you cannot improve between tests</p></li>
<li><p>Take October. If you aren’t confident w may have you really pushed your June?</p></li>
</ol>

11

<p>Can you take the subject tests this June? Your mind will be fresh from school assuming you have completed Pre Calc (Math ii) and Physics - not sure about Korean? Remember you will be in the middle of getting college apps together and regular school work - to restudy for three subject tests and the regular SAT or ACT in October will be difficult.</p>

12

<p>If you need subject tests - and I would verify with colleges that you want to apply with that you do - take those in June.</p>

<p>If not- yes, take the SAT for the third time in June - and then I would say you are done. Study for ACT and take it the first available time this fall - and try to give yourself a chance to take it twice.</p>

13

<p>What if i don’t reach my goal on the June SAT - 2100?</p>

14

<p>It really is very rare for someone to dramatically improve their SAT score. I think after three tests - your score range will be defined.</p>

<p>Keep in mind - some schools will super score - and take the highest score from each sitting - for a composite super score.</p>

<p>That is why I am encouraging you to try to ACT. You may find that you are more comfortable with the ACT test and do markedly better on it. I don’t think it would even be a horrible idea to take it in June as a first test. And then you still have the fall to take it again.</p>

<p>The biggest difference is the “science” section - which is a lot of graphs and reading them - so you might look that over in a test book and then give it a go.</p>

<p>The most important piece here where do you want to go to school and what kind of score do you need to get in. Also do you need high test scores to receive scholarships? </p>

<p>You may already have what you need - depending on where you want to apply.</p>

15

<p>MaterMia:</p>

<p>How difficult is it to prepare SAT and ACT together over the summer?</p>

<p>I really wanna achieve 2100 on the SAT, and do well on ACT as well.</p>

16

<p>Let’s back up - what are you trying to accomplish other than a 2100? What colleges do you want to attend? Do you need scholarship money? Etc. Focus your energy where it has the most impact. If you tell us these things - than you can get some better advice about SAT, ACT and subject tests. A 2100 is just a means to an end … what is the end?</p>