Much debate surrounds when high school students should take the SAT exam in a given year. This decision, however, may be different for every student, as it is majorly dependent on your familiarity with the SAT syllabus and preparation level in separate exam sections.
Another crucial factor in selecting the ideal time to take the SAT is understanding the application timelines for universities abroad. You must take your final attempt at the SAT almost 1-2 months before your intended college application deadline. Setting an effective study plan ahead of your intended test date is paramount when deciding when to take the SAT exam.
If you are planning to take your SAT exam and need clarification about when is the right time to take the test, this article is just what you need.
The SAT is administered seven times a year, in March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. You can select your SAT test date based on your preparedness level. When preparing for the SAT exam, you must first fully comprehend the exam format and syllabus. The SAT syllabus is comparable to that of the 10th-grade topics.
According to our SAT experts, the optimal time to take the SAT is in August of your eleventh-grade year. Everyone has a different view on 'when is the best time to take the SAT exam'. Therefore, evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of taking the SAT each year of high school is critical for making an informed decision.
If you plan to take the SAT in your 10th grade or junior year of high school, the best time is just before your pre-board exams. Since the 10th standard syllabus is the same for SAT subject tests, you will be prepared for both exams in advance. Although taking the SAT in 10th grade is early for many high school students, it can make your profile stand out if planned well. Here are the pros and cons of taking the SAT exam in your 10th grade:
You can simultaneously prepare for your 10th board exam and SAT as the syllabus is similar-this way, both exam preparation is addressed. So, preparing yourself for the 10th board examinations indirectly prepares you for the SAT.
You can plan to take the PSAT or Preliminary SAT in the spring of your junior year of high school, as it gives you a fair idea of the actual SAT exam. You may consider PSAT like your pre-boards, which act as a preparatory course framework before your final exams. Since taking the SAT exam more than three times does not reflect well on your academic profile, taking the PSAT is the best way to prepare for your SAT exams.
Since you are taking boards for the first time, there is always added exam pressure to prepare and perform well in your final exams without any distractions. The additional stress of taking the SAT exam and scoring well in the SAT and 10th boards simultaneously can add to the stress factor if not planned well.
As discussed earlier, most SAT syllabus is based on the 10th-grade curriculum. Giving the SAT exam in your 10th standard can be too early if you plan to take it in May or June, as not all of your syllabus is covered by then.
Taking the SAT in the 11th standard is ideal for most high school students, as they have sufficient time to prepare for the exam without compromising their final exam preparation, and several other reasons. Here are some reasons why you should take your SAT exam in the 11th grade.
Students possess a certain amount of knowledge in mathematics topics like Algebra, linear and non-linear equations, geometry, trigonometry, ratios, units, percentages, and probability. In addition, they are well-equipped to craft and structure their ideas into logical and coherent paragraphs, which is crucial for acing the Reading and Writing test section of the SAT exam. This familiarity of subjects prepares students with foundational knowledge to crack the exam.
Students can plan and prepare much more effectively for their SAT exams, as they have sufficient time before their final exams start. Moreover, students do not need to worry much about board exams; hence, SAT prep is much sorted according to the 11th standard.
If you are unsatisfied with your SAT score, you can retake the exam in 11th grade in October, November, or December or in your 12th grade year in May or June.
If you score less on your first or second attempt, you might have to reattempt SAT in your senior year of high school. Taking more than three attempts on your SAT, might lower your confidence if you continuously score less than your target score.
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Sign-up for SAT Classroom CoachingYou may need additional time to prepare for your board examinations if you intend to take the test in your 12th grade. Furthermore, if you take the first SAT in your senior year of high school, you will have less time left for the college application process. Below, we have listed the disadvantages and benefits of taking the SAT exam in 12th grade.
By the time you reach your senior year of high school, you will have determined the area of academic interest you want to pursue —science, the arts, or commerce. Therefore, it becomes simpler for you to decide on a bachelor's degree and a country in which to pursue your higher studies.
This planning helps you target the ideal SAT score required to seek admission at your preferred country and university. Hence, you will be prepared to make targeted efforts towards getting a good SAT score on the first attempt.
If you take the SAT for the first time in 12th grade in May or June, you will have little time to repeat it before your pre-boards in August or October, increasing stress. Furthermore, because most institutions in foreign countries begin their admissions process a year before the anticipated intake, low SAT scores might cause your application to be delayed. For example, aiming for the Fall intake necessitates beginning your application before September, making a high SAT score necessary before then.
Your senior year is one of the most crucial years of your academic life, as your GPA and participation in extracurricular activities matter in addition to your SAT scores. Hence, building a holistic profile whilst juggling the final board exams, SAT exam preparation and college application planning might pull you down due to these stress factors. Hence, a comprehensive SAT prep and admissions consulting program might help you plan your study abroad journey in an organized manner.
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Register for SAT CoachingFinally, the decision on when to take the SAT exam should be carefully considered, taking into account personal and academic variables. Taking SAT in each grade level (10th, 11th, and 12th) has distinct benefits and obstacles. While taking the SAT in 10th grade aligns with the current syllabus and provides early preparation, it also increases stress and may necessitate repeated attempts. The 11th grade is often ideal due to the balance of familiarity with the subjects and ample preparation time, allowing for multiple attempts if necessary. Taking the SAT in the 12th grade offers clarity in higher education plans but comes with the pressure of managing final exams and college applications simultaneously. Choosing the right time to take the SAT depends on individual readiness, academic goals, and managing concurrent responsibilities effectively.
Taking the SAT exam in your 11th class is considered the right time, as you have sufficient time and subject knowledge to ace your SAT.
If you are confident and possess sufficient subject knowledge of SAT sections, you may take your first SAT in August or October in the 10th class. Since your 10th-class study material has already been covered, it is best to take your first SAT in the 11th class.
In 10th standard, you must take the SAT before your pre-boards start. It is thus advised to take the SAT in August as by then the majority of the subject matter for the 10th grade exam will be covered. You will be prepared for the SAT exam with a thorough understanding because the sections of the test are based on the syllabus for the 10th grade.
Taking your first SAT exam in the 11th standard in August is preferred, as you are familiar with the SAT subject matter studied in 10th grade, and you have sufficient time to prepare and reappear for the SAT for a good score.
If you plan to take the SAT in 12th standard, you must target the months of May or June or, at the latest, by August. Generally, reappearing for the SAT in these months is suitable, as you get a clear picture of your academic potential to excel in college, and you will have sufficient time to prepare for your college applications abroad.
During your 12th grade year, you can take the SAT in May or June. There will be no anxiousness about your final board or pre-board exams-you'll have plenty of time to be ready.
Since you have less time to prepare for the SAT and college applications, taking the exam after the 12th grade is considered to be late. University applications overseas begin a year before your intended intake, making the procedure challenging. If you need to repeat the SAT, it could result in a 1-2 year study gap, which is not ideal.