| Creating a Test Taking Plan | | | | - We recommend the student take it at least once |
| Most college admissions officers will tell you that from | | | | (twice is even better) in the winter/spring of their |
| spring of junior year through the fall of senior year | | | | junior year (tests are in January, March, May and |
| students should be focusing all their attention on | | | | June), and can take it again in the fall of senior year |
| college. This means that students should start thinking | | | | (Oct and Nov). |
| about where they would like to apply and start | | | | - We recommend a student take it twice in the |
| making the all-important college visits. One important | | | | spring if he is prepared because the fall gets hectic |
| component of an overall solid college admissions plan | | | | with college applications. |
| is having a solid test plan. Two key questions will | | | | - You should take the SAT no more than three |
| need to be answered in order to develop the plan: | | | | times. All scores will be sent to the schools where a |
| Which tests should I take and when do I take them? | | | | student applies. |
| Most colleges require either the SAT or the ACT | | | | |
| (although there is a growing number of colleges that | | | | SAT II tests: |
| no longer require standardized tests, see our | | | | - Also known as subject tests, these are required for |
| resources page for a link to a list of these colleges). | | | | many of the more competitive schools. |
| Then, depending on the colleges where a student is | | | | - You can find out if a school requires the subject |
| applying, it may be necessary to also take the SAT | | | | tests by checking the admissions requirement on |
| II. Two or three SAT II's (it varies depending on the | | | | their website or calling the school. Usually a more |
| school) are required at most competitive colleges, | | | | competitive school will require 2 or 3 subject tests. |
| such as Ivy League schools, Trinity, Connecticut | | | | - Students should take these in June of their junior |
| College, Wesleyan, Tufts, MIT, and a number of | | | | year, or while the student is enrolled in the subject of |
| other competitive institutions. Parents may know the | | | | the test he plans to take (ie. Biology, Chemistry, |
| SAT II as the old Achievement tests. The SAT II's | | | | French, etc.). |
| test your knowledge in a specific subject. Each test | | | | |
| is 60-minutes, and you can take up to three tests in | | | | ACT test: |
| one sitting. You can take the SAT II in a variety of | | | | - Generally the ACT follows a similar schedule to the |
| subject areas, such as Math I or II, English Literature, | | | | SAT in that students will take the ACT in their junior |
| Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Foreign Languages, U.S. | | | | year. |
| History, or World History. Since they test your | | | | - Often students will take the ACT and SAT in the |
| knowledge in a specific subject it is best to take | | | | same season but different months to see which they |
| these tests at the end of the year when the | | | | score better on, but some students will take the |
| student is actually enrolled in that subject, as all the | | | | ACT after they have received a score on the SAT |
| knowledge will be fresh in the student's mind. For | | | | they were unhappy with. |
| most students this means that they should take the | | | | - ACT scores don’t automatically go to schools |
| SAT II in June. However, if a student is enrolled in AP | | | | so there is no harm in trying the ACT. It is usually |
| courses and has to take the AP exams, then she | | | | not worth it for students to take the ACT more |
| may consider taking the SAT II's in May. That will be | | | | than twice. |
| the same week as the AP exams, but all the | | | | |
| information will be fresh in her head and the SAT II's | | | | Things to Consider When Deciding Which Tests To |
| are actually easier than the AP exams. | | | | Take |
| PSAT test: | | | | - Does your school require SAT IIs? |
| - Often taken in spring of sophomore year, and/or | | | | - Does your school require the SAT, or is it optional? |
| in the fall of junior year. | | | | - Would your school take the ACT in lieu of both the |
| - PSAT scores do NOT go to colleges, but are used | | | | SAT I and SAT IIs? |
| in determining whether or not a student is eligible for | | | | - Are you applying early to any schools? |
| a National Merit Scholarship. | | | | - Have you taken the SAT and are unhappy with |
| | | | | your score? |
| SAT test: | | | | - Have you studied for the SAT and your scores |
| - Taken in the student's junior and senior years. | | | | won’t improve? |