When should I take the SATs?

Hey! I'm looking forward to getting my SATs out of the way. I'm just not sure when most juniors take them. Can anyone provide any advice or share from their experience?

The timing for taking your SATs can be flexible, depending on your personal schedule and your preparation level. However, a common recommendation is to first take the SAT in the spring of your junior year. This schedule gives you enough time to prepare for the test and places the testing date well after the PSATs, which many students take in October of their junior year. Taking the SAT in spring (March to June) also allows you to receive your scores before the summer break, so you can plan if you need to retake the test in the fall of your senior year.

Keep in mind, however, that every student's journey can be slightly different. Some students may choose to take the SAT earlier, especially if they feel well-prepared or if they want to give themselves more attempts to reach their goal score. Other students may choose to take the SAT in the fall of their senior year, although you need to consider the application deadlines for the colleges you are interested in since this schedule may delay your application process.

In the end, the best time to take the SAT is when you feel confident that you've prepared adequately. You may want to schedule some regular study sessions in the weeks or months leading up to the test, to ensure that you're familiar with the test structure and content. Remember that you can take practice tests using resources like the Bluebook™ app to familiarize yourself with the digital SAT format.

Remember, your SAT scores are just one piece of your college application. So while it's important to aim for the best score you can achieve, don't let the SATs overshadow other important areas like your GPA, your extracurricular activities, and your college essays.