The Official SAT and ACT Test Timeline

GRADE 10

Sept/Oct: Register for and take the PSAT if your school offers this opportunity and if you have completed geometry. You can never start too early!

SPRING: If you have finished a one-time course such as Molecular Biology and/or US History, register for and take the SAT Subject Test for this area. Yes, you may need it when you go to apply for college, and it’s better to take it now while the material is fresh!

SUMMER: Practice for both the PSAT, which you should take again, and for the SAT by attending a SAT Prep Workshop (check out Petersons Test Prep for higher scores! ) or by using a SAT Test Prep book independently. To prepare for the ACT, take practice ACT tests.

GRADE 11

Sept/Oct: Prepare for the PSAT by taking a prep course. You might want to register through Petersons online course to help you get your best possible score and hopefully high enough to make you a National Merit Scholar! Register for and take the PSAT. This is required to be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship competition.

LATE WINTER: Register for the SAT and/or the ACT. Also register for SAT Subject Tests, as required for colleges you’re applying to.
Continue practicing for the SAT and ACT tests.

SPRING: Take the SAT and/or the ACT.

LATE SPRING: Take SAT Subject Tests that you’ve registered for.

GRADE 12

LATE SUMMER: Re-enroll in a Test Prep class , such as Petersons Test Prep, or continue studying on your own if you plan to retake the SAT/ACT in the fall to improve your scores.
Register for SAT and/or the ACT for the October test date.
Register for SAT Subject Tests, if required by colleges, for the November test date.
NOTE: Even if you have chosen to take only the ACT, some schools will require you still take SAT Subject Tests.

OCTOBER: Retake SAT and/or ACT.
Also register again for both the SAT/ACT or SAT Subject Test(s) for December. In case you are not satisfied with your scores, you can take them again one last time!

NOVEMBER: Take Subject Test(s) you are registered for.

DECEMBER: Retake SAT/ACT or Subject Test(s), if necessary, for the final time.