When/where to start & when to take the SAT?

<p>Hello guys,</p>

<p>I don't know when should I start studying for my SATs. I just finished grade 10 and I'm quite worried about it already. My school offers the PSAT in october but I don't know what it is....is it the same test as the SAT just w/o the essay? Or what is it? Anyway, I'm starting to study now, but I don't know where to start studying! I tried a few of the practice questions, but my math became very rusty after the holidays and I just forgot how to do them...</p>

<p>I came up with a plan to take the SAT in may then the subject tests in june but that means I only have 6months to study for the SAT. </p>

<p>How can I get the highest possible score in that short time?</p>

<p>Please help!</p>

<p>The PSAT is a smaller version of the SAT without the writing section - only CR and Math. Since you can earn scholarship and become a National Merit Finalist, I would advise studying for the PSAT. You can pick up PSAT specific books if you want from a library or bookstore or even just use SAT books. </p>

<p>I would advise taking the SAT in January or March. If you are taking AP exams, May becomes a very busy time for test taking. You have plenty of time between then and now to do a few practice tests and begin understanding how the test works. Also, taking subject tests in June is the perfect time, as you have typically just concluded your coursework.<br>
Have you considered taking the ACT? You may prefer it to the ACT and it doesn’t hurt to try it. I would suggest taking it in April.</p>

<p>By senior year, you have the option to retake the SAT and Subject Tests in October, November (last for EA/ED), December, or January (last for RD).</p>

<p>It all depends on how you work, but 6 months is good enough for studying. Like what clinegirl said, you should start working now for PSAT if you want to get into National Merit. However, by senior year, you should be careful to check each college’s deadline before submitting SAT scores (they varies)</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply,</p>

<p>I don’t really have a lot of AP exams to take since I’m only doing 2 APs this coming year in gr 11 then 4 more in year 12. I can’t really do the March exam cuz I’ll be on spring break during that time…The SATs just seem so harrdd…I don’t know where to start studying…I tried to read the guide to the SAT but doesn’t really help…I found this site: [Examville.com</a> - A place to learn together, take free tests and share class notes and more!](<a href=“http://www.examville.com%5DExamville.com”>http://www.examville.com) somewhere and it seems quite a good place to start? Can you tell me if it is or not? I’ve read everywhere on the internet that I should be taking loads of practice test to improve my SAT taking skills.</p>

<p>I’m just kinda lazy after a long summer holiday and it’s hard to get back to work again.</p>

<p>I’ve checked on the SAT test dates and since I go to school in Canada, (they have their spring break from early march like the 11th so there aren’t any test centers for the march SAT) The other options are January and May…</p>

<p>January seems too early and May seems like a bad time to take it because of APs…</p>

<p>I would suggest taking it in January. Seventh graders are allowed to take the test in January for some John Hopkins program. Although these are gifted 7th graders, they can’t perform much better than ~2000. The curve is a bit better in January. This is what my friends told me so it might just end up being some regional thing or false.</p>

<p>Anyway,</p>

<p>I just bought the Collegeboard’s 2nd edition book, and now I have 2 SAT books (the PR one and the CB one). Which one should I do first, and how should I plan my study time everyday? Like 1 hour/day doing practice questions and learning vocab? Help!</p>

<p>You’re better off taking the SAT in May and any desired subject tests (and perhaps the ACT to see how it is) in June. The best way to start preparing for the SAT is to learn its concepts. The mathematical and grammatical concepts (which really aren’t very difficult) can easily be discovered and comprehended from many sources. I wouldn’t start learning vocabulary words until February. At that time, you should have an effective way of placing hundreds of words into your head.</p>

<p>You should honestly take the SAT and do well on it as early as possible. It’s my senior year now and I only have one, maybe two more chances to take it.</p>

<p>I’ll tell you how I study, but I don’t know if it’ll suit you; that’s why you should try to develop your own study routine. I have a vocabulary book, so I memorize a full lesson of words from that. After I’ve done that, I simply move onto the SAT prep book and continue to work on whatever I was doing before. I am trying to review ALL the sections before I even take a practice test. That’s how I do it, you should try to figure out what would suit you best.</p>