When Should I Start Test Prep?
Starting too early is not ideal as it can lead to frustration and burn out.
The highest scores are usually earned spring of junior year through fall of senior year.
When possible, it is ideal to have testing completed by end of junior year. For early decision, early action, rolling admissions, many students like to complete testing by June of junior year. For most of these schools, however, the student still can test up until October of senior year and get the score in on time.
For many schools, testing must be complete by fall of senior year of high school.
For some regular decision schools, the last test date is December of senior year.
It is ideal to plan your testing calendar so that you can take the test of choice at least three times. While all three times may not be needed, it is safest to have three test dates in the plan incase they are needed.
Four Timing Options for Testing and Test Prep
Option 1 - Early
Take Practice Test: between May and July of Sophomore year and score over 1300/28
Start prep summer after sophomore year - (for possible NMSQT students and some recruited athletes)
PLAN TO SIT FOR REAL TESTS ON THESE DATES
SAT
Test 1: August/Oct/Nov/
Test 2: Dec
Test 3: March
Option to take again: May or June
ACT
Test 1: Sept/Oct
Test 2: Dec
Test 3: Feb
Option to take again: April or June
Option 2 - Still on the Early Side
Take Practice Test: between May of sophomore year and October of junior year
Start prep summer before or fall of junior year
PLAN TO SIT FOR REAL TESTS ON THESE DATES
SAT
Test 1: Dec
Test 2: March
Test 3: May or June
ACT
Test 1: Dec
Test 2: Feb
Test 3: April or June
Option 3 - Most Common Time
Take Practice Test: before Jan 1 of Junior year
Start prep after Jan 1 of junior year
PLAN TO SIT FOR REAL TESTS ON THESE DATES
SAT
Test 1: March
Test 2: May/June
Test 3: August
ACT
Test 1: Feb
Test 2: April
Test 3: June or July
Option 4 - There is still time
Take Practice Test by June 15 of junior yer
Start prep spring of junior year or summer after junior year
PLAN TO SIT FOR REAL TESTS ON THESE DATES
SAT
Test 1: August
Test 2: October
Test 3: Nov/December (if not applying early)
ACT
Test 1: July
Test 2: September
Test 3: Oct or December (if not applying early)