Tutor Yourself #2: When Do I Take It?
When should a student take the SAT or ACT?
It depends.
Is the student applying early or regular?
How many times does the student plan on taking it?
What other commitments does the student have?
What scholarships are available to the student?
What are the student’s goals?
What are the chances a global pandemic will throw all scheduling to waste? (Fortunately, we are seeing fewer and fewer cancellations and last-minute changes, but it will be at least several months before things normalize. Most of the advice here assumes a normal admissions cycle, without any apocalyptic obstacles.)
Traditionally, students would take the test in the spring of their junior year of high school, with the option to take it again in the fall. The landscape is a little different now, in students’ favor. There are many more test dates throughout the year, including in the summer, so there are more choices. However, that means more decisions to make! I break down the different factors students should consider before choosing a test date. (Note: I won’t be suggesting specific dates because there is some variation between the SAT and ACT.)
Next up: The tests. What are they like? How are they the same? How are they different? What should the student expect on test day?
Why take it, if everyone is going test-optional right now? The SAT and ACT have been used as a standard for college admissions for a long time. While many schools are going test-optional for this, and even next, admissions cycle, it is unlikely they will get rid of the test entirely. The test can brighten up mediocre grades and ECs. The test can draw attention to an application that would otherwise be overlooked. The test can provide scholarship opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable. Taking the test is, at best, advantageous, and at worst, harmless.
Early or regular? The advantage of applying early to a college or university is the chance to have that acceptance letter in hand sooner. The disadvantage is that some schools require a binding commitment if you are accepted, so you better be sure of your top choice. If you are applying early, make sure you leave enough time to take the test before early deadlines.
How many times? The SAT suggests everyone take the test twice. Of course they do. I would suggest it too, if I were getting paid per test. I do suggest all of my students leave time to take it again, but wait to register until receiving the first score report. If a student has particularly bad test anxiety, I suggest leaving time to take it three times, if only to reduce anxiety on the first and second tries.
What other commitments are there? Planning a high school student’s schedule can feel like a giant game of Whack-a-Mole. Fortunately, there are so many test options that students can pick the dates that truly work best for their schedules. Things to consider:
What is the student’s course load like? How many AP exams in May?
When are sports championships and theater performances?
What exciting plans might arise during the summer?
What times of year are usually more or less stressful?
What scholarships are available? Various scholarship programs have different deadlines, all across the year and all throughout high school. Consider what scholarships are available, how much they value test scores, and when the deadlines are.
What are the student’s goals? I will address goal-setting in a later post, but goals are important considerations in the decision of whether to take the test, which test to take, and when to take the test. How much time will the student need to reach that goal? What are the median test scores of the student’s first choice school?
Global pandemic? While the test-taking climate is showing signs of moving in the direction of normal, there are still cancellations and last-minute changes happening. No test score is worth getting sick. If the student has time before the admissions cycle, wait a few more months to register. If time is running out, seek out waitlist opportunities and also consider whether to exercise the right to go score-less.
Next up: The tests. The most important details you need to know about the SAT and ACT.