When to take?

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>I know I'll take the SAT at least once next year (will be a junior), but I've heard conflicting advice as to when I should take it:</p>

<p>-October/November because I'm prepped from the PSAT?</p>

<p>-January so it's nowhere near APs, etc?</p>

<p>-June because I'll finally have all the math I need (my school only finishes pre-calc at the end of junior year)?</p>

<p>I'll be taking 1-2 AP tests in May (and probably Subject Tests for those subjects in May as well), the March date is on my birthday (aka definitely not taking it then) and I'd rather not do it in June for the first time, but what do you guys think?</p>

2

<p>If you prepped over the summer then it would make sense to take it in October/November while the material is still fresh in your mind. </p>

<p>The SAT only tests you on basic math skills up to Algebra 2 so you don't need to wait to take the test until you're done with all your math at school. </p>

<p>My advice would be to take the test up to three times at the most so really just plan ahead and space out each test so you have enough time to prep in between each one.</p>

3

<p>It is only the SAT II Math test that requires pre-calc.</p>

<p>My d prepped in the fall and took the SAT I in January. She did well enough that she didn't take it again.</p>

<p>Take the SAT I as soon as you can after your prep. It doesn't matter if it's October, December, January or March.</p>

<p>If you're taking the SAT II tests, take them in May or June of the year in which you're taking the course.</p>

4

<p>Well, it depends. Your best move, IMO, is to prep over the summer and take it in October. Then, if you want to retake it, retake it in December, and (if necessary) again in March. That way it's nowhere near AP tests, and you can take SAT II's in May and/or June. </p>

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the March date is on my birthday (aka definitely not taking it then)

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<p>You probably won't have to take it a third time, but if you do, think of it as a special gift you're going to give yourself--the gift of not having to go to a community college :)</p>

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<p>i think june is best.</p>

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<p>remember, you will be able to choose which greade you can send in. SO take it in october and see how you do.</p>

7

<p>Our guidance office recommends taking the SAT in January because it is early and it is a released test. That way you can buy a copy from the Q and A service and evaluate how you did.</p>

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<p>Take it in March (yes, in spite of your birthday). That's what I've been recommended.</p>

<p>Oct/Nov are out because of the PSAT in Oct and taking the SAT right after probably isn't the best move.</p>

<p>Dec/Jan you're dealing with finals and you're finishing up the 1st semester. Plus, who wants to be preparing for the SAT right in the middle of the holidays/New Year?</p>

<p>May you have AP's.</p>

<p>June you have subject tests and finals.</p>

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<p>im a rising junior and im still unsure as to when to take it, but right now it's looking like it's going to be in march and then some sat II's in may.</p>

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<p>jamesford: I don't see why taking it right after the PSAT is a bad thing. If I'm already studying for one, isn't it good to take them together and not have to study as much for the other?</p>

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<p>The PSAT is meant to be a gauge of how you're doing in preparation for the SAT. As it has been said, the real prize for your studying is not a good PSAT score, but a good SAT score. By March, you will have received your PSAT score. Before the March SAT, you can look at your strengths and weaknesses based on your score report. Your math score dropped? Maybe PR's methods didn't work for you. Your CR went up? Keep using their CR methods.</p>

<p>If you take the SAT earlier, you're denying yourself that PSAT benefit. Plus, it's better to take some time off between standardized tests. You may not think it, but it's easier to burn out than you realize.</p>

12

<p>jamesford have u taken the new SAT option for the class of 2010 into consideration in your statements?</p>

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<p>^ Just because you have the option of taking a standardized test multiple times with "no consequences" doesn't mean you should want to. There WILL be kids with the attitude of "oh, I don't need to prep, I can always retake if I do badly." You'll never reach your potential if you have that attitude. Try to get the highest score possible on your first try. Then you can laugh at all the kids shelling out money, time, and Saturday mornings for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th time.</p>

<p>Besides, many colleges aren't too pleased with the recent decision. A college does have the right to request that you submit all scores taken for the SAT. And there are going to be colleges like that. An admissions officer won't know if a 2400 was achieved by a naturally bright kid on the first try or by some grade obsessed guy who took it for the 5th time and finally got lucky. What happens when you realize _______ University requires all SAT scores to be submitted and you've taken it 8 times?</p>

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<p>Actually, with the dates for next year in front of me, I realize the March is not on my birthday, which is strange; why is it on the second Saturday instead of the first?</p>

<p>But, thanks to a bit of thinking ahead and your responses, I think I've decided to do December and, if I see it need it again, March. January would actually be horrible for me, because that's the Saturday before the semester ends and I'll have midterms to deal with, whereas the week leading up to the December date looks pretty light.</p>

<p>jamesford, what you're saying about the PSAT makes sense. If I'm not satisfied with my December score, I'll definitely compare it to my PSAT score and see what I really need to work on for March.</p>

<p>Again, thanks!</p>