When should I consider taking my first SAT?

Okay, so I'm hearing different things about when to take the SAT for the first time. Some say it's better to do it early to get it out of the way, others suggest waiting until senior year. It all seems so confusing. When do you folks think is the most optimal time to sit for the SAT?

The optimal timing for taking your first SAT usually falls in your junior year of high school. While the precise timing can vary based on a student's schedule and readiness, here's a general guideline.

Start preparing in your sophomore year. This preparation can include self-study, group study, or courses, and should involve taking a few practice tests to gauge your starting point and progress.

You'll likely take the PSAT in your junior fall, which will give you a feel for the actual test-taking environment, and give you a more official analysis of where you're at.

Then, aim to take your first SAT in the winter or spring of your junior year. This timeline gives you adequate time to prepare for the test, and leaves you with enough time to retake the test if you're not satisfied with your initial score.

Keep in mind that many students will take the SAT 2-3 times to reach their goal score, so there's no shame in a retake. However, you probably don't want to just take the test as many times as possible, as at a certain point you'll see diminishing returns - an increase of 10 points is likely not going to make as much of a difference as, say, more polished application essays, so be thoughtful about where you're allocating your time and energy.

Finally, taking the SAT in junior year allows you to have your scores ready when you start your college applications in the fall of your senior year. Especially if you think you might apply early somewhere, you'll want to make sure you have scores you're satisfied with in hand by early November of your senior year, so planning backwards from then (or from early January for Regular Decision deadlines) can be a good idea.

As always, your individual circumstances and commitments may affect this timeline, and you should plan in a way that allows you to feel prepared and less stressed. This is certainly a process, so remember that progress is incremental and success comes with practice and patience.

For more detailed guidance on how to determine when you personally should take the SAT for the first time, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/not-sure-when-to-take-the-satact-heres-your-guide/. Hopefully, though, this overview helps!