Most, if not all, college-bound students know that they must take their SATs at least once. But when is the best time to take them? How many times should they take it?
-
Decide how many times you want to take your SAT. Studies show that majority of students do better on the SAT the second time they take it. Although they have the option to take as many times as they want, it is best to take it no more than three times.
-
Collegeboard, the official SAT company, allows students as young as 7th graders to take the SAT. However, it is best to study and take it in high school years.
-
If you are Freshmen or Sophomore and have studied hard to have gotten ready, you should take the SAT and get it over with. Because Junior year is probably the most stressful year, it is to your advantage to study fast and take the SAT fast.
-
If you are already a Junior, you should take the SAT no later than the spring months of your Junior year. Although you may have not studied, you should take it as a practice round, since you have the chances to take it again in your Senior year.
-
If you are a Senior, you should definitely take it in October if you want to apply Early Decision/Action or to UC schools that require application by November. The latest you can take it is the month that your college applications are due. The only bad thing about taking it at this time is that you will not see the score that will be sent to the colleges.
