Frequently Asked Questions About When to Take the SAT or ACT

Back in the early days of college admissions testing, students generally tested at the same time. However, we’ve come a long way from the days of exclusively testing at the end of junior year and the beginning of senior year. The big tests now grace nearly every month of the calendar year. In fact, no matter what week or month you read this, lots of high schoolers are preparing to take their SAT or ACT. So, before you decide when you or your teen should sit for these very influential exams, consider the options…

MONTH BY MONTH
What is the case for the February ACT?
What is the case for the March SAT?
What is the case for the April ACT?
What is the case for the May SAT?
What is the case for the June SAT & ACT?
What is the case for the July ACT?
What is the case for the August SAT?
What is the case for the September ACT?
What is the case for the October SAT & ACT?
What is the case for the November SAT?
What is the case for the December SAT & ACT?

TIMELINES AND PLANNING
When is the best time to take the SAT or ACT?
How long should preparing for the SAT or ACT take?
Does preparing for the SAT or ACT a little bit at a time make sense?
Why is summer the best time for test prep?
What can a younger (12-15) student do to prepare for the SAT & ACT?
Is there value in testing more than once?
How many times should I or my student take the SAT or ACT?
Is preparing during the Holiday/Winter Break a good idea?
Are some SAT or ACT test dates easier than others?

Still have questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to discuss the best time for you or your teen to test.

ACT planning SAT test dates