SAT/ACT Timetable: A Strategic Guide
The SAT is administered in March, May, April, June, August, October, November, and December.
The ACT dates are in February, April, June, July, September, October, and December.
Most students take the SAT/ACT in the spring of their junior year. With the SAT, I’m a fan of sooner rather than later – as long as the student has finished Algebra II. With the ACT, some pre-calculus is a big benefit: the hard math questions will cover advanced math concepts such as trigonometry, pre-calculus, and calculus.
Tips for Staying on Track with Your SAT and ACT Schedule
In addition to level of math completed, there are a few very important other factors to weigh:
Your Academic Calendar
Avoid Conflicts: Schedule your test dates to avoid overlapping with major exams, projects, sports, or extracurricular commitments.
Summer Testing: Consider taking the test during the summer when you have more free time to study and prepare. Some of my students love this; others do not want to see me over the summer (I don’t take it personally). I do point out to my students that if it comes down to this, I am not going to ruin their summer!
Your Personal Readiness
Practice Tests: Take practice tests to assess your strengths and weaknesses.
Study Plan: Create a study plan that aligns with your test date.
Confidence Level: Don't rush into taking the test if you don't feel confident.
College Application Deadlines
Early Decision/Action: If you plan to apply Early Decision or Early Action, you'll need to take the test earlier to meet those deadlines. For most schools, October is the last chance.
Regular Decision: For Regular Decision applications, you typically have more flexibility in your test dates. For most schools, December is the last chance.
What about test optional?
“Test-optional” means that students can choose whether or not to submit standardized test scores as a part of their college application. Students who choose not to submit test scores will not be penalized, but students who submit test scores may receive an advantage.
While most schools remain test optional, there is a growing trend of drifting back to requiring test scores. Colleges believe that test scores are a strong predictor of college readiness. Test scores also give admissions personnel an extra data point to help differentiate students.
When Dartmouth decided to reinstate the testing requirements, its President wrote that “SAT/ACTs can be especially helpful in identifying students from less-resourced backgrounds who would succeed at Dartmouth but might otherwise be missed in a test optional environment.”
The Testing Required/Optional Landscape
Here’s a sample of what’s happening around the country. Please double-check the school’s policy and the timetable for requiring scores on each school’s website.
The Ivy League
Public Universities
Select Private Universities
To Submit or Not to Submit
Check the scores on the school’s website. In general, if your score is at the median or above, submit. If your score is within or above the mid-50% range, submit. However, there are many exceptions to these general guidelines.
If you are not submitting test scores, make sure you give extra attention to your GPA, your extracurriculars, your personal statement, and your supplemental essays.
I am glad to help navigate all of this! Feel free to learn more about my SAT and ACT test prep services here.
