Anyone taken the SAT in December?

Hey folks, I'm planning to take the SAT in December and was just wondering how it was for those who've gone through it before? Is it any different from the other months in terms of difficulty or atmosphere? Kind of nervous here, any insights are appreciated!

The month in which you take the SAT doesn't necessarily affect the difficulty or atmosphere of the test. The test itself is standardized, which means it's designed to measure the same skills irrespective of when you take it, whether it's December, March, or any other time of the year.

Taking the SAT in December does have its considerations though. For instance, you might be busy with end-of-semester exams or winter break activities. Make sure to allow ample time for studying and not to let the holiday festivities distract you from your preparation. It can also be cold in December, especially depending on your location, so dress warmly and comfortably for test day.

As for the test day, given that the SAT went fully digital as of spring 2024, your experience should be consistent regardless of the location or month. The structure is the same: two 32-minute modules for Reading and Writing to complete 54 questions, and two 35-minute modules for Math to complete 44 questions. You can also use a calculator on both math modules.

Not to add to your nervousness, but keep in mind that score reporting might take around 10 days, so be sure to factor these dates into your college application timeline, especially if you're applying to schools with later deadlines in January.

Preparing robustly will no doubt ease your nerves. Make sure to review key concepts, practice time management, and familiarize yourself with the test format. Resources like the Bluebook™ app can give you a preview of the digital SAT and include a full-length practice test. This can be an excellent tool for getting comfortable with the test format. Good luck in your preparation!