Talk to me about SAT timing

[Anonymous]

Trying to figure out SAT timing with my teen, current sophomore. This summer it won’t happen. Probably studying wont happen (much) either. He will be gone all summer as a sleep away camp counselor. As a junior next year, he takes PSAT in Oct and then a mandatory SAT during school hours in spring. Does he try to squeeze SAT in in August right after coming back from camp and before school starts? That seems like a lot to do that the have to take PSAT a couple months later, plus there won’t be much prep if doing in Aug. Or better to wait and see how the fall PSAT and SAT in spring of 11th go and then take again in Aug before 12th if need to raise score? Smart kid overall, has already completed calc- I don’t think extensive prep will be needed but likely will need some for strategies and such

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trying to figure out SAT timing with my teen, current sophomore. This summer it won’t happen. Probably studying wont happen (much) either. He will be gone all summer as a sleep away camp counselor. As a junior next year, he takes PSAT in Oct and then a mandatory SAT during school hours in spring. Does he try to squeeze SAT in in August right after coming back from camp and before school starts? That seems like a lot to do that the have to take PSAT a couple months later, plus there won’t be much prep if doing in Aug. Or better to wait and see how the fall PSAT and SAT in spring of 11th go and then take again in Aug before 12th if need to raise score? Smart kid overall, has already completed calc- I don’t think extensive prep will be needed but likely will need some for strategies and such

Depends on what score he's going for. A lot of smart kids can score a 14-something cold, but need test taking strategies to get that last 80-100 points they want. It all just depends what score he needs/wants.

[Anonymous]

We did August and October of junior year for both our kids after some summer study. They both scored in low 1500s after those attempt. My youngest took the SAT again August of senior year with very little prep and his score increased by 30 to a 1570. Don't really know if the juice was worth the squeeze, but he was aiming for H/Y/P and wanted to break 1550. He did get admitted to his first choice SCEA but think the rest of the resume had more to do with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trying to figure out SAT timing with my teen, current sophomore. This summer it won’t happen. Probably studying wont happen (much) either. He will be gone all summer as a sleep away camp counselor. As a junior next year, he takes PSAT in Oct and then a mandatory SAT during school hours in spring. Does he try to squeeze SAT in in August right after coming back from camp and before school starts? That seems like a lot to do that the have to take PSAT a couple months later, plus there won’t be much prep if doing in Aug. Or better to wait and see how the fall PSAT and SAT in spring of 11th go and then take again in Aug before 12th if need to raise score? Smart kid overall, has already completed calc- I don’t think extensive prep will be needed but likely will need some for strategies and such

Depends on what score he's going for. A lot of smart kids can score a 14-something cold, but need test taking strategies to get that last 80-100 points they want. It all just depends what score he needs/wants.

OP here and I think this is right. Which is why I’m wondering if there is any point is taking it in Aug before jr year, as I see suggested a lot- since there won’t be much prep happening over the summer

[Anonymous]

The thing to do is to register for the weekend SAT the same month that he takes it in school. So, March of 11th. Prep once, test twice, report the higher or superscore. (Or, if your kid is like mine, become frustrated by your nearly identical March scores, prep after APs, and retake in June.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trying to figure out SAT timing with my teen, current sophomore. This summer it won’t happen. Probably studying wont happen (much) either. He will be gone all summer as a sleep away camp counselor. As a junior next year, he takes PSAT in Oct and then a mandatory SAT during school hours in spring. Does he try to squeeze SAT in in August right after coming back from camp and before school starts? That seems like a lot to do that the have to take PSAT a couple months later, plus there won’t be much prep if doing in Aug. Or better to wait and see how the fall PSAT and SAT in spring of 11th go and then take again in Aug before 12th if need to raise score? Smart kid overall, has already completed calc- I don’t think extensive prep will be needed but likely will need some for strategies and such

Depends on what score he's going for. A lot of smart kids can score a 14-something cold, but need test taking strategies to get that last 80-100 points they want. It all just depends what score he needs/wants.

OP here and I think this is right. Which is why I’m wondering if there is any point is taking it in Aug before jr year, as I see suggested a lot- since there won’t be much prep happening over the summer

There will be even less time to prep during junior year, it is so busy as is. I'd find a way to get him some prep this summer.

[Anonymous]

If he needs to retake after the spring exam at school, do it in March or June of junior year.

[Anonymous]

Ours (a naturally good standardized test taker) did ACT Sept of junior year. Got a book off Amazon and did self study for a few weeks. Made it a very low stakes event - do a little studying, see where you are. Wound up doing great, so was one and done. And the study in August before classes starts / test in Sept is as not stressful. Because agree with other posters that junior year gets intense.

[Anonymous]

DC had planned to prep over the summer after 10th and take Aug of junior year, and registered for that. Then a bunch of crap broke loose and ended up only able to cram study for a few days before the test. Ended up getting a good enough score (over 1500, below 1550) for the schools they are looking at. It’s been HUGE not having to carve out time to prep and take SATs during junior year. There’s so much going on.

Even without much time for prep, it might be worth taking a shot at the August test anyway. If he does do well enough, it’s really nice to have that off the plate.

[Anonymous]

If he is a "good tester" there is zero downside to taking it August, either cold, or after a few hours of a test prep book or Khan Academy (assuming he has access to the internet at camp). Junior year is awful and if he is aiming high for schools getting the test over by October is really really the way to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he is a "good tester" there is zero downside to taking it August, either cold, or after a few hours of a test prep book or Khan Academy (assuming he has access to the internet at camp). Junior year is awful and if he is aiming high for schools getting the test over by October is really really the way to go.

Why is junior year so awful? My sophomore already had APs in English, history, and, CS, math..junior year is pretty much more of that

[Anonymous]

There is no reason to take it so early. You can wait until spring of junior year and retake in June and august before senior year if you need to

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he is a "good tester" there is zero downside to taking it August, either cold, or after a few hours of a test prep book or Khan Academy (assuming he has access to the internet at camp). Junior year is awful and if he is aiming high for schools getting the test over by October is really really the way to go.

Why is junior year so awful? My sophomore already had APs in English, history, and, CS, math..junior year is pretty much more of that

Congrats, I’m sure yours will breeze through. For many students, there’s quite an uptick in demands from 10th to 11th, from more rigorous academics, increased leadership/EC involvement, college visits, and the pressure that this is the most important year for grades and accomplishments, since it’s the last full year before applications start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no reason to take it so early. You can wait until spring of junior year and retake in June and august before senior year if you need to

Probably not June as most juniors are pretty deep into studying for multiple AP exams all of May, then school finals right after

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he is a "good tester" there is zero downside to taking it August, either cold, or after a few hours of a test prep book or Khan Academy (assuming he has access to the internet at camp). Junior year is awful and if he is aiming high for schools getting the test over by October is really really the way to go.

Why is junior year so awful? My sophomore already had APs in English, history, and, CS, math..junior year is pretty much more of that

It's awful for kids who are aiming high and doing all they can to grind it out before the end of the year when they are ready to start on applications.

My kid had 4 APs sophomore year and 7 Junior year. They had more responsiblities in sports and clubs, and as an upperclassmen, had more leadership roles that were very demanding. They had an internship between that they continued through the school year (extra period, remote). They shot for a lot of competitions that ended up panning out well and the demands were tremendous. We never saw it coming, but it wasn't that unique among their peer group. It was pretty awful. Until it was over. The longest 8-ish months of everyone's lives in our household as far as fast-paced kid stuff. If SAT prep was part of it, it would have been a logistical and emotional nightmare.

Just our experience.