Do your summer plans include SAT or ACT preparation?
Ah, summer: beaches, barbecues, baseball, and buckling down to prep for the SAT or ACT. Wait, what?
While preparing for the SAT or ACT may not be the first thing on high schoolers’ minds when school gets out, getting a jump on standardized test prep in the summer before 11th grade can be a wise move that allows students to focus on test prep before they are overwhelmed with the academic and extra-curricular demands of the school year.
Test prep in the summer prior to junior year isn’t for all students, but it’s a good idea for those students who are targeting an early fall test date in their junior year as well as those who feel that they need extra help in certain subject areas before taking a first test later in their junior year.
The first step is to take baseline diagnostic tests for both the SAT and the ACT to determine which test is best for you. Marks Education offers free in-person and virtual baseline proctoring every Sunday. Once you have baseline scores, a tutor can work with you to decide on the best test as well as an appropriate testing plan.
Generally, the earliest that we recommend students take their first test is at the beginning of 11th grade – August for the SAT and September for the ACT. The latest that students will want to take a standardized test is in the fall of senior year (October or November for the SAT; September or October for the ACT).
These dates may vary depending on individual circumstances, such as if a student is recruited for collegiate sports or if they intend to apply early action or early decision to college. Many applications for early decision/action are due by November 1. Students should not be taking a test for the first time in the fall of their senior year. A fall sitting would generally be the second or third time they are taking the test in the hopes of bumping up their score further.
The following are three possible testing timelines for students, with suggestions for how to use the summer before junior year. It’s important to bear in mind that every student is on their own path, and a testing plan should be tailored around an individual student’s academic and extracurricular commitments, not the other way around. For example, a student with a busy sports schedule in the fall of their junior year may not want to take an ACT in November. Additionally, in most cases, a student who is taking Algebra 2 in their junior year should wait until the spring of their junior year to take a first test so that they have as much math as possible under their belt.
Timeline for Early SAT or ACT
For strong testers who have completed Algebra 2 as sophomores, taking the SAT or ACT for the first time in the fall of their junior year with a retake in the late fall or winter can allow them to be done with testing midway through 11th grade. Finishing at this point allows them to focus on their junior year classes and grades and, if they are enrolled in AP classes, to concentrate on their AP tests in the spring. For these students, it makes sense to begin SAT or ACT summer preparation in the summer before 11th grade. Prepping in July and August can be particularly effective as students have more time for homework outside of tutoring sessions than they would have during the school year. This often allows their tutor to cover significantly more material with them per meeting. Students who want to get started on test prep in the middle of the summer should take baseline tests early in the summer.
Timeline for Mid-year SAT or ACT
For many students, it is beneficial to wait until the middle of junior year to take their first test, as additional coursework in core subjects can boost their skills and allow them longer to prepare. A student with a busy first-semester sports schedule may also want to plan on a mid-year rather than an early preparation timeline. However, it can still be useful to get some of the heavy lifting done during the summer, so that there is a lighter load to tackle once classes start back up in the fall. SAT or ACT summer preparation gives students a head start so that when they pick back up on test prep in the later fall or winter, they will have a distinct advantage over those who wait until right before the test dates to begin preparing.
Timeline for Late Junior Year SAT or ACT
For students whose 10th grade PSAT scores don’t meet grade-level benchmarks or students who are worried about deficiencies in some content areas, the summer before 11th grade offers the opportunity to solidify the foundational skills that they will need for testing and general academic success later in junior year. Rather than work specifically on SAT or ACT prep, these students may benefit from our Summer Math Intensive or Reading/Writing Intensive, depending on where they most need assistance. These summer intensives can provide a strong base for test preparation that might not start until the middle of junior year. Students on this later timeline may want to wait to take their baselines until later in their junior year, but a tutor will help you decide on the best course of action.
So, remember, while summer is a great time for relaxing and getting outside, it’s also a great chance to set yourself up for success by lightening the load in the busy junior year ahead. Contact Marks Education to determine what’s best for you.
Bring on the sun!
Student-Centered Testing Timelines
The following charts outline three possible timelines for testing. Baseline tests as well as a conversation with one of our tutors will help you determine which is the appropriate timeline for you.
We recommend that all students plan to take either the SAT or ACT twice and to have a third test date as a fallback option if needed. The first test will allow them to experience actual testing conditions and discover which topics, skills, and strategies they may need to focus on more. With some work in these areas between tests, students usually increase their scores on the second test. In the event you would like to further improve your score, or an unforeseen circumstance, such as illness, causes you to miss a planned test date, that third test date may be necessary.
