SAT Application Deadlines?

Hey, quick question: what are the general deadlines by which I should be signing up to take the SAT to make sure I have enough time to send my scores to colleges?

Typically, there are seven SAT testing dates throughout the year: one in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. To ensure you have plenty of time to send your scores to colleges, aim to take the test no later than the October test date if you're applying Early Decision or Early Action, and no later than December or January if you're applying Regular Decision. In terms of registration, the College Board recommends registering for the SAT at least one month before the test date.

For Early Decision or Early Action applicants, deadlines are usually around November 1st or 15th. You should plan to take the SAT early enough that your scores will arrive before the application deadline. Ideally, aim for the August or October test date to give yourself enough time to submit your scores.

Most colleges have Regular Decision deadlines in January, but it's important to check the specific deadlines for each school on your list. Remember that SAT scores can take around two weeks to be released, and it can take an additional few days for colleges to process them. If you want to be extra safe, consider taking the SAT by the November date.

If you're a sophomore, you could also consider taking the SAT for the first time at the end of your junior year, so that you have more time for retakes. Even if you're a junior, taking the SAT earlier than is absolutely necessary (say, in August for Regular Decision applications) can ensure you also have some flexibility in terms of giving the test another shot.

For more information on the optimal test-taking timeline, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/not-sure-when-to-take-the-satact-heres-your-guide/

Lastly, keep in mind that many colleges currently have test-optional policies. Make sure to check the standardized testing policies for all the schools you're applying to and adjust your plans accordingly. For guidance on how to navigate test-optional policies, I recommend checking out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional

Good luck with your test-taking journey!