Early Scores: What's the Deal?

Hey guys, I've heard some folks in my school talking about getting 'early scores' for college entrance exams. It's got me curious. What does this mean exactly? And is it something I should be considering?

Sure, happy to clarify. When people refer to "early scores", they generally mean getting their scores from college entrance exams like the SAT or ACT as soon as possible after the test. This is usually done to have ample time to plan for any necessary retests.

By default, SAT and ACT scores are usually released within two weeks after the test day. However, because of variations in processing time, not everyone gets their scores exactly on the same day.

Parsing "early scores" a different way, some students collect their college entrance exam scores "early" in their high school career (sophomore or junior year) to gauge their readiness for the competitive college admissions process. This can be wise to strategize, identify areas of weakness and plan for the next test attempt if necessary.

Bear in mind though, the process and associated stress of taking these exams multiple times can be taxing. It's a personal decision and should ideally align with your academic readiness and college application strategy. And remember, test scores are just one aspect of your application profile. So consider your extracurricular involvement, academic standing, and other factors as well.