First Time Giving SAT/ACT? Here's What You Need To Know

Introduction

The college application process is a lengthy and tedious process. It doesn’t help that ACT and SATs are crucial admissions assessment points in most universities. While some colleges make them optional, it is recommended you do your best to hand them in if you can.

They are incredibly useful if you would like to be considered for merit scholarships and financial aid. Besides taking some pressure off other parts of your application, they also help you secure a spot in “stretch” schools.

With this in mind, you must be strategic while figuring out when to take your first tests. This will significantly affect how you handle the rest of your application, such as creating time for your academics and extracurriculars.

How often should you take your SAT/ACT?

The SATs allow you to take as many tests as possible, while the ACT allows you twelve attempts.

Before you get excited, remember strategy. The number of times you take them matters to the admissions officers. It is recommended you take them around 1-3 times. The third should be enough to get the score you want strategically.

So let’s see how you should go about planning on when you should take the SATs/ACTs for the first time.

• Select Your Dates

The SATs/ACTs are offered 7 times in the United States while India offers it 5 times a year, in March, May, August, October and December. You need to figure out the best month that works with your schedule. The most ideal time to first take them is August of your junior year.

Taking them earlier might be frustrating since you are studying concepts from three years of highschool. On the other hand, taking them later might not give you enough time to prepare and re-do them in your senior year amid other college application activities.

• Begin Preparing as Early as Possible

Ideally, these preparations should begin in your first year of high school. While they may not involve intensive study, you need to figure out which schools you want and the average tests scores of admitted students.  Generally, Ivy Leagues admit SAT scores of 1500-1550 and ACT scores from 34-36.

This analysis is also part of creating a sustainable schedule to track each aspect of your application. A last minute rush can compromise your entire application and you might not get the test scores that fit your preferred school.

The actual studying should be influenced by these factors. You should also carefully analyze your study habits to figure out how much time you would need. For instance, if you take longer to grasp concepts, try studying as early as February for the August or October dates in your junior year.

This will give you time to study and re-do the tests by May or August of your senior year if need be.

• Analyze your Practice Tests

This is also another strategy to determine how early you should take the tests. They help you avoid unnecessary official trials while trying to get the highest grade.

Take a practice SAT and ACT test in your sophomore year. You should be able to get a rough idea of what needs work. Taking them earlier might frustrate you since you might be unfamiliar with the topics. On the other hand, taking them later might overwhelm you as you try to work on your weak areas amid approaching tests dates.

If you are really good in your practice tests, it is an indication you might only need one attempt. If they are more difficult for you, good news! You know exactly what to tackle.

Finally

As long as you know your preferred schools and scholarship needs, you should be able to use this guideline to determine the exact date to take the official test. Just ensure the overall framework is not too far from the recommended timelines.