Add scores and view your best scores to send.
or
Tips for
What
For college applications at most schools, you need to submit scores for the SAT or the ACT. No school requires both. All schools accept either one. Schools do not prefer one test over another. Students typically take both and submit the one they do best on. Some schools require no test scores at all: fairtest.org. Some of the most competitive schools also require SAT Subject Tests.
When
Prep for tests starting in the summer before Junior year. Begin testing in November, December or January of your Junior year. Take the SAT and ACT each once (most likely), then choose your stronger test and take that test a second time to try to improve your first score. Students typically send their second score. You DO need to prep in between tests or your score won't go up.
SAT and Subject Test Registration (link) ACT (with Writing) Registration (link)Test Prep
Everyone is prepping for the SAT or ACT, so you should to. You don't want to send in raw scores against everyone's prepped scores. You have several options for test prep:
- Buy a book and study on your own. Try to get a book with a CD-Rom of practice tests. Good brands are CollegeBoard, Princeton Review, and Kaplan. This is boring and difficult, but wow is it the least expensive method.
- Take a class. These usually go 6-10 weeks just before you test. I recommend the summer before Junior year, in August and September. Sometimes a local high school offers classes, or try Princeton Review or Kaplan. Choose a test prep center whose only business is prepping for these tests; I do not recommend a learning center which tutors in many subjects. You need specialized training; this is important. This will cost 500-1000$. Many test prep centers offer reduced rates if you cannot afford their fees; be sure to ask!
- Work one-on-one with a private SAT/ACT tutor, not a general tutor. This is the most costly method, but it is the most efficient because you cannot zone out and you don't have to listen to anyone else's questions. Ask to meet a tutor before hiring them, or go with recommendations from friends.
Test Timeline
Sophomore Year - try to get some Subject Tests out of the way if you can, do test prep in summer.
| When | Description |
|---|---|
| October or November | *PSAT* (practice SAT, given at school for Jrs. Take it!) |
| October or November | *PLAN* (practice ACT, given at school) |
| Immediately After | Decide which test to prep for |
| November | Begin self guided test prep |
| December | Use PSAT scores to do MyRoad |
| March | Take practice Subject Tests |
| April | Formal prep with tutor for Subject Tests, if needed |
| May | SAT Subject Tests (Math 2; if AB/IB: World, Chem, Bio) |
| May | AP/IB Tests at school |
| May | Register for summer test prep |
| June | SAT Subject Tests |
Junior Year - focus on Subject Tests and completing ALL testing by June of Junior year. Take first SAT and ACT in Nov-Dec-Jan. Take second time in Feb-Mar-Apr. You only need to send the SAT or ACT to your colleges; all colleges accept either test.
| When | Description |
|---|---|
| July - October/November | FORMAL TEST PREP COURSE (8-10 weeks) |
| September | ACT offered |
| October | SAT or Subject Tests offered |
| October | ACT |
| October/November | *PSAT* Practice SAT given at school (do your best!) |
| November | SAT or Subject Tests and Lang Tests w/ Listening |
| December | ACT and SAT |
| January | SAT or Subject Tests |
| February | ACT; begin study for Subject Tests |
| March | SAT only; take practice Subject Tests |
| April | ACT; prepare with tutor for Subject Tests as needed |
| May | SAT or Subject Tests (Math 2, Lit, For Lng, AP: US, Chem, Phys, Bio) |
| May | AP/IB Tests at school |
| June | ACT and SAT or Subject Tests |
Senior Year - September is last possible test date if you want to apply Early Decision/Action. Avoid testing during senior year. It is miserable for you and the results are usually not great.
| When | Description |
|---|---|
| September | ACT |
| October | SAT or Subject Tests (will not have scores in time for ED/A) |
| October | ACT (will not have scores in time for ED/A) |
| November | SAT or Subject Tests and Lang Tests w/ Listening |
Take Tests
The night before the test do not go out! Pack your bag before bed, go to bed early, and get great sleep. The morning of the test do not do anything abnormal - if you never drink coffee don't start today. You want your body to be normal at the test center. Also, DO eat a breakfast of protein - eggs, yogurt, cheese, bacon. Avoid sugar because you will fall asleep halfway through the test. Be sure to drink water so that your brain can fire as fast as possible.
Take:
- a water bottle
- a snack
- pencils
- your calculator
- your test registration materials
- your school ID or driver's license
Send Scores to Colleges
Once you have evaluated which of your scores is stronger, the SAT or the ACT, log onto that test site and send your scores to each of your colleges. Send your best scores only, unless the college super scores and that would help you, and also unless that college requests to see all of your scores, as some colleges do. If the fees to send these scores are difficult, fee waivers are available from your guidance counselor and from SAT and ACT.
