What Juniors Need to do This Year for the SAT / ACT

Taking the SAT or ACT is an important part of planning for college admissions. The timing of these tests can impact not only scores but also the overall college application experience. (No one wants to miss a priority deadline or early deadline because they haven’t finished taking the ACT / SAT.) 

Here are some steps to help you understand the timeline and decisions current juniors and their parents face:

Understanding the SAT and ACT Testing Timeline

The SAT and ACT can be significant components of college admissions and can influence scholarship opportunities. While some colleges make these exams optional, we’ve seen a number of competitive schools and scholarship programs go back to their pre-pandemic test requirements. You won’t be sure what colleges and universities plan for next year until the summer—too late to get ahead on SAT/ACT testing. 

Typically, the SAT and ACT are administered seven times a year, mostly during the school year. Your campus or district may arrange for an extra school-day test administration. With testing options from early fall through June (plus the July ACT) students have multiple opportunities to test and retest as juniors. 

Here are the steps I suggest all juniors follow: 

Step 1. Understand the Similarities & Differences in the SAT and ACT

Before diving into scheduling and preparation, it’s crucial to focus on the right test. Both exams assess similar content, but they differ slightly in structure and focus:

• The SAT focuses on detailed reading, grammar, and math, with an emphasis on problem-solving and analytical skills. The SAT reading involved more college-bound vocabulary and the paragraphs tend to be harder to read. The math on the SAT involved more advanced level Algebra II concepts and about 20% of the math questions require students to produce their own response (not multiple-choice.)  
• The ACT includes sections on English (grammar), math, reading, and science reasoning (data interpretation, not actual science knowledge). The content is more straightforward, but students have less time per question than on the SAT and that impacts some students, primarily in reading and science sections.

Step 2. Identify Your “Best” Test 

Many students will take both the SAT and the ACT. I don’t find it practical to try to focus on both. Instead, I encourage my clients to pick the test they think will be their best and focus on it. After taking this exam a couple times, students can use what they have learned and with some modification, apply it to any attempt they make on the other exam. 

The most accurate way to decide your student’s best test is to take a timed full-length practice SAT and ACT at home (one of each), compare the results, and make your decision. Although the exams are similar in some ways, most students find one test aligns better with their strengths. 

Colleges accept either test, so choosing the one where your student feels most confident can make a difference.

Step 3. Set a Target Test Date

Some juniors have already completed all of their SAT/ ACT testing. (I have some clients who met their score goals back in October!) But nationwide juniors typically take the SAT or ACT in the spring, allowing time for a retake in the summer if needed. 

Research registration deadlines and test dates early to avoid conflicts and last-minute stress. Having a clear timeline helps your student stay focused and allocate adequate preparation time.

Educator tip: Don’t set the June SAT or June ACT as your target test date. Students are exhausted mentally and physically by the end of the year. Plus, preparing for the June test means studying in May which puts your test scores in direct competition with prom, AP exams, end of year banquets, etc. 

Specific Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Target Date

• Academic Readiness— Students should take the SAT or ACT when they feel academically prepared. If a student is struggling in math, it may help to wait until the spring semester to test when they have had more time to improve their skills.
• Test Prep— Preparation is key to strong scores. Students should allow several weeks, whether through self-study, prep courses, or tutoring. Selecting a test date that provides sufficient prep time is crucial. For example, I don’t work with many football players in the fall; they are busy with school and sports and don’t have extra time or energy to prepare.
• School and Extracurricular Commitments— Avoid scheduling the test during particularly busy times. For instance, students who involved in time-intensive activities such as band, sports, theater, or debate, may need to plan around their seasons or competitions. Similarly, testing should not conflict with major academic projects or exams.
• College Application Deadlines— Early decision, early action, and priority deadline applicants often need to complete testing by October of their senior year. And applications are time consuming. The entire process is easier if you can finish ACT / SAT testing before senior year starts.
• Accommodations for Special Needs— Students who require testing accommodations, such as extended time, should plan early to ensure their accommodations are approved well before their chosen test date.
• Superscoring Policies— Many colleges “superscore” the SAT or ACT, meaning they combine the highest section scores from multiple test dates. Knowing this, students may benefit from multiple test attempts to maximize their composite score. You want to plan to have time to retest. 

Step 4. Create a Study Plan

A structured study plan is vital. The SAT and ACT are unlike almost every other exam high school students take. Don’t assume your great student or amazing test taker will do well on these tests. 

Here are steps to consider:

• Assess Current Skills: Encourage your student to take a diagnostic test to identify strengths and weaknesses. (DO NOT take the actual SAT or ACT as a “baseline” or diagnostic test!)
• Set Goals: Based on their target colleges, research the average SAT or ACT scores for admitted students and set realistic goals.
• Break It Down: How much score improvement are you looking for? How long do you have to prepare? What will you do to study? When will this fit into your regular schedule?
• Schedule Regular Practice: Consistent work helps build endurance and familiarity with the test format, but it is just the beginning. The hard work comes in analyzing mistakes, finding ways to improve, and practicing these new strategies.

Educator tip: Whether you are doing self-study, a traditional class, or private tutoring, make sure you are using official practice tests. Lots of big-box test prep companies have written their own versions. While these knockoff versions are similar, they are not particularly helpful in studying for exams which involve precise wording and extreme attention to detail. 

I had a student last fall frustrated by the work she was doing on one program’s “tests”. She showed me her work and in the first three minutes, I had found multiple errors with the questions. 

Encourage your student to prioritize practice questions and tests from reputable sources that mirror the actual exam’s difficulty and style. Don’t waste quality study time on poor materials. (You won’t find UT, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Penn State practicing for this weekend’s college football playoffs using a Nerf football!)

Conclusion

Preparing for the SAT or ACT takes some time and effort. High school juniors should have a clear plan for which test and which date they intend to target. In order for students to approach their exam of choice with confidence and the skills necessary to meet score goals, they will need to prepare using official test materials. 

The SAT and ACT are just one part of the college application process, but they can be significant for admission and scholarships. To position your junior for success next fall, they should ideally complete all their standardized testing this spring.  

If you don’t know where to begin studying for the SAT or ACT or your student would benefit from some structure and accountability, I have a number of options to help:

• Traditional Prep Class—in person (Sugar Land, TX) or on demand
• One Day Crash Course—on demand
• Private Tutoring—in person in Fort Bend/ West Houston or on Zoom

More details HERE.