Richard Sahana

As a high school junior or senior, you should create your test-taking schedule as soon as possible to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Below is our ideal testing timeline for students in the junior and senior years:

Junior Year

Summer

Study for and take the PSAT. This is particularly crucial for students aiming to earn National Merit semifinalist status, granted to top 1% scorers in each state. Semifinalists can go on to compete for finalist status and earn scholarships of $2,500. As a bonus, preparing for the PSAT helps prepare you to take the SAT later that year.

Fall

Take the SAT for the first time, so you have a second chance to take it again in the spring if desired.

Spring

Take the SAT a second time. Winter break is a great opportunity to study for the test. Along with familiarizing yourself with the exam format, strive to take practice tests online. You can also opt to take an SAT prep class to learn tips for taking the test more successfully. Depending on your schedule of courses and extracurriculars, you may decide to take the SAT in March, April, May, or June. If you’re still not happy with your score, you can even take it again on one of the four spring test dates.

Senior Year

Fall

It can be difficult to take the SAT as a senior because of the number of tasks already on your plate. However, if you aren’t happy with your scores, you may opt to take the test again during the fall semester. If you plan to apply Early Action or Early Decision, be sure to take your test by October, if not even earlier.

Between coursework and extracurricular commitments, today’s high schoolers are busier than ever. Still, that doesn’t mean you can afford to let SAT prep take a backseat to your other responsibilities. If you want to succeed on this crucial exam, aim to spend a minimum of 40 hours studying before the big day. However, it’s worth noting that students who prep for 80 to 120 hours tend to earn higher scores.

Along with reviewing typical SAT material, students should aim to take a minimum of two full-length practice tests. Be sure you use a timer to simulate the testing environment. When scoring your test, mark the answers you missed and go back and review them after the fact. Check out these tips on how to find time to study for the SAT every day.

While students may be tempted to practice for the SAT with friends, the truth is that this can lead to distractions. If you do want to study with others, think about enrolling in an SAT prep course. Some schools have free after-school SAT programs. Additionally, students can opt to enroll in a private prep course, though these may come with high price tags.