Anonymous wrote:January test date if RD deadline is Feb (do colleges even have Feb or later deadlines anymore like 'back in the day'?).

Not so helpful to rely on "back in the day" memories for college admissions.

Anonymous wrote:Most students start taking it in 10th or 11th grade. What month should student make the take it as final attempt?

Just to clarify something, most students do not take SAT in 10th grade. There really is no point in sitting for an official test in 10th, as most students improve over time in both sections. Most students test for the first time in 11th. More advanced students take fall of junior year and August is a popular time for them, following prep over the summer. Less advanced students take spring of junior year.

The final attempt should be before the college application deadline. So, October or December of senior year. Though, I'd certainly recommend trying to be done before then if possible.

OP, it depends on so many specifics, including the student's college list and how their scores have turned out so far. Keep the college list flexible if last minute scores are significantly higher or lower than expected.

ACT test dates https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html

SAT test dates https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/dates-deadlines

Examples: A couple of my kids were one-and-done in Aug of junior year, which was great, but it doesn't always work out that nicely. My oldest (maybe 7 yrs ago) scored terribly on the Aug junior year test and ended up superscoring from a fall junior test date and a fall senior test date, getting her highest verbal Oct senior year. My current junior also had a disappointing August SAT score, much lower than practice test scores. She will take Dec and then a required school day test in spring, but has been so busy she's done no additional prep. For the time being, I'm glad she is focusing on her grades, and I anticipate she will need to take fall of senior year, probably August and then we'll see from there. It's more stressful that way, but it is important to remember that her early app deadlines aren't until November, so it will be worth giving it another go. She has time.

^ After Dec 6, 2025 SAT, it's March 2026.
-DP

Anonymous wrote:January test date if RD deadline is Feb (do colleges even have Feb or later deadlines anymore like 'back in the day'?).

There has not been a January SAT in probably a decade.

It all depends on the student's schedule and the specific college application deadlines. Earlier is more ideal for purposes of planning and applying, but many students score higher the later they test.

Decide which test is better for the student by taking official practice tests at home. Then prep only for that test.

Early deadlines are typically Nov senior year, so for those, you would want testing completed by October.

December senior year would be the last possible SAT before Regular Decision deadlines.

Assuming the student took a junior year test and did not get what they were hoping for, I would take July ACT or Aug SAT at the start of senior year. If that doesn't result in the desired score, try again in Sept/Oct.

I tell my kids to try to get it completely wrapped up by the March test. of course, they can continue past then to try to bump the score up by 10-20 points, and even the September test should get to colleges in time. But a) they need to have a good idea of their score to know what colleges to target, and b) they will be plenty busy in the summer before senior year (internship or substantive activity/ writing common app essay) that it's difficult to study hard for the August test.

The ideal schedule in my mind is 1) study summer before junior year for August test. Plenty of time to study without interfering with (hard junior year) class schedule. (My kid also has fall sport) 2) Plan on December (November if no fall sport) retake with some studying as can be fit in. 3) March as the backup plan. If they get a good score in December, they can have more free time in Jan-March. If they don't, they're stuck trying to fit in SAT studying alongside school studying and whatever else they'd enjoy doing with their time. Not ideal, but certainly feasible.

Anonymous wrote:October of 12th grade for most early deadlines.

Our district gives a free school day SAT in October of 12th, so most kids use that as their last shot.

January test date if RD deadline is Feb (do colleges even have Feb or later deadlines anymore like 'back in the day'?).

October of 12th grade for most early deadlines.

Anonymous wrote:December of senior year, get the results in time for most regular decision applications.

Not ideal if they're also trying to get their applications ready

December of senior year, get the results in time for most regular decision applications.

Anonymous wrote:Most students start taking it in 10th or 11th grade. What month should student make the take it as final attempt?

Ideally late August (or mid-Sept) of Senior year.

Anonymous wrote:Most students start taking it in 10th or 11th grade. What month should student make the take it as final attempt?

Depends on application deadlines.

Most students start taking it in 10th or 11th grade. What month should student make the take it as final attempt?