Our Test Prep Program Manager, Matt, answers one of the most common questions we receive at Lana Learn: When should I take the SAT?
In the tech-driven, fast-paced age we live in, students and families often wonder how to fit the SAT into a student’s busy schedule. As a result, a question I receive often is “When should I take the SAT?” While this answer differs for everyone, there are some pieces of advice that I give consistently. I’ll start with the three consistent pieces of advice I give, and then provide questions students can ask to better understand when they should take the SAT.
Three Rules of Thumb for the SAT:
Take your first test by the end of your 11th grade year.
In terms of content and the ability to retest, taking the SAT in the 11th grade is the ideal time for students. Content on the SAT matches up nicely with 11th grade-level curriculum, with the highest level of mathematics covered being pre-calculus. The vast majority of mathematics content reflects Geometry (9th-10th grade) and Algebra II (10th-11th grade), with a small amount of trigonometry and statistics (11th-12th grade).
Students are able to take the SAT as many times as they like, provided it is before the submission of their college applications. Lana Learn among many organizations offering test prep recommend that students take the SAT more than once to gain experience with the test and boost their score on a future exam. Taking the test junior year allows students enough time to take it again in their senior year.
Reserve at least 2 months of prep time before a test.
Studying for the SAT is a fantastic way of boosting your score and preparing for college applications. To achieve the greatest return on investment, students should engage with high-intensity practice for the SAT for a short period before the exam. Doing so allows students to prioritize test prep and identify time periods where they will be able to do so. For example, many students opt to take the August SAT so that they can spend the free time they have in June and July to prepare for the exam. Obligations such as school work, familial obligations, and extracurriculars sometimes take priority, so be mindful of your personal needs and goals when scheduling your exam.
Regular Decision: December. Early Decision: October.
For students who plan on applying to college on a regular decision timeline, most applications are due in January. Since exam scores take 2 weeks to be released, students’ last SAT opportunity for regular decision is usually December of their senior year. Students who plan on applying early decision (ED) or early action’s (EA) deadlines are typically November 1st. For ED and EA students, the October SAT is the last opportunity. However, there are some colleges that will accept later scores. While the timeline listed above is usually the case, be sure to research the application instructions for the individual colleges on your list!
Questions to Consider when Scheduling:
When scheduling your SAT journey, asking yourself these 3 questions will give you valuable information:
- Am I applying early decision or regular decision?
- Are the schools that I am applying to require the SAT?
- When will I have a 2 month period when I can study for the SAT?
The SAT is typically administered 7 times a year: March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. This year College Board is not offering a November exam, so make sure you check your schedule to see which test works best for you. Be sure to check College Board’s website for specific dates and registration instructions. Please feel free to use this guide as a means of scheduling your SAT journey!
At Lana Learn, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality, data-driven approaches to test prep. If you or your organization are interested in one of our Test Prep Programs, please don’t hesitate to reach out today!