Suggested Testing Timeline

“THANK YOU FOR THE GUIDANCE YOU GAVE ME; I DEFINITELY ATTRIBUTE MY SCORE INCREASES ON BOTH THE ACT AND SAT TO YOUR HELP!”

-STUDENT, CLASS OF 2018

Many students are overwhelmed by the options when it comes to preparing for the SAT or ACT.  Let this serve as a guideline for you:  Suggested Testing Timeline

Timeline Descriptions:

Recommended: This timeline has you beginning preparations in the fall of your Junior year, taking “experience” tests during the winter months, and making your most concerted efforts in the spring and summer.  Ideal test dates: December SAT and/or ACT for experience; April ACT, May SAT, and June SAT and/or ACT for best scores.

Accelerated: This timeline, appropriate for students on an accelerated math track (i.e. entering into Precal or higher as a Junior) and/or hoping to apply Early Decision somewhere, has you beginning preparations in the late summer going into Junior year, taking “experience” tests during the fall, and making your most concerted efforts in the winter and spring.  Ideal test dates: October SAT and/or ACT for experience; February ACT, March SAT, April ACT, and May SAT for best scores.

Traditional: This timeline has you beginning preparations in the spring of your Junior year, taking  “experience” tests in the spring, and making your most concerted efforts during the summer and fall of your senior year.  Ideal test dates: April ACT and/or May SAT for experience; July ACT, August SAT, September ACT, October SAT and/or ACT for best scores.

Please note the break between “experience” testing and testing for best scores is in order to provide ample time for receipt of scores and additional preparation.  A student can certainly opt to test at nearly every administration on these timelines if he or she wishes to do so.