If you asked my tutoring clients to describe me, probably one of the very first things they’d say is that I’m a BIG fan of strategizing and planning! That’s because I’ve learned from 13+ years experience in the test prep field if you carve out big-picture thinking time at the beginning of a major project—like the college applications project—you’ll already be halfway there! That’s why I’m so passionate about this essential testing tool: the testing timeline.
Once you understand why you need a plan and a Testing Timeline for taking the SAT and ACT—plus important SAT and ACT Testing Timeline mistakes to avoid—HOW do you actually go ahead and make a Testing Timeline for yourself? Especially now, in 2024, when standardized tests (hello, Digital SAT!) and the college process itself have undergone major changes recently?
Of course, you can always tap into my decade-plus expertise in the test prep field, and I’ll cook up a precisely targeted schedule that takes YOUR strengths, needs, and schedule into account! But if that’s not in the cards, you can still create your Testing Timeline with this blog post.
Here are a few basic scenarios that can help you map out when to begin prep, when you should take your first SAT or ACT, and which back-up dates you should pencil into your calendar. I’m telling you WHAT you need to do, and approximately WHEN you need to do it, based on four different scenarios. If you want to compare them efficiently (or if you’re just a visual learner), I’m also offering you a PDF infographic available for free download!:
1. Standard SAT and ACT Testing Timeline
STEP 1) CHOOSE BETWEEN THE SAT AND THE ACT
Timing: Summer before Junior year through October of Junior year at the latest.
STEP 2) SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST SAT OR ACT
Timing: Select March for your first attempt at the SAT. If you’re an ACT-taker, February or April are ideal first attempts.
STEP 3) SCHEDULE YOUR SAT OR ACT PREP
Timing: If you only have a little ways to improve to reach your target score (<150 points on the DSAT or <4 points on the ACT), you can get by with three solid months of prep leading up to your first test date. If you have more improvement to make, consider giving yourself Junior Fall to prep slowly but surely, so that you’re not cramming.
STEP 4) SCHEDULE BACKUP TEST DATES
Timing: For the ACT, you could have many possible backup test dates: April, June, July, September, or October. For the Digital SAT, you can choose between these months: May, June, August, October, November. Treat the December test date as a last resort for both the SAT and ACT, depending on whether the colleges you’re applying to would even allow a test date that late.
2. SAT and ACT Timelines for the Early-Bird Junior
If you’re a hotshot junior who’s already scoring near your target score—or, alternately, if you tend to have a very free Fall schedule but are busier during the Spring—this Testing Timeline is for you.
STEP 1) CHOOSE BETWEEN THE SAT AND THE ACT
Timing: Summer before Junior year.
STEP 2) SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST SAT OR ACT
Timing: Register for the December SAT or ACT test date.
STEP 3) SCHEDULE YOUR SAT OR ACT PREP
Timing: Since your goal is to get as much done as possible before your Spring activities overwhelm you, you will spend your Fall semester (September through December) prepping.
STEP 4) SCHEDULE BACKUP TEST DATES
Timing: For the ACT, you could have many possible backup test dates: February, April, June, July, September, or October. For the SAT, you can choose between these months: March, May, June, August, October, November. Treat the December of Senior year test date as a last resort for both the SAT and ACT, depending on if the colleges you’re applying to would even allow a test date that late.
3. ACT and SAT Timing for The Early Bird SOPHOMORE
If you’re a hotshot sophomore who’s already taking Pre-Calculus (or the equivalent) as your math class—AND you tend to have ZERO time for high-stakes testing in the Spring of your junior year—this Testing Timeline could be your perfect fit.
STEP 1) CHOOSE BETWEEN THE SAT AND THE ACT
Timing: Spring of Sophomore year.
STEP 2) SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST SAT OR ACT
Timing: Pick August before Junior year (or at the beginning of Junior year, depending on when your school year starts) as your first attempt at taking the SAT. If you’re an ACT-taker, July or September before/of Junior year are ideal first attempts.
STEP 3) SCHEDULE YOUR SAT OR ACT PREP
Timing: Since your goal is to be finished before your Spring activities overwhelm you, we need to get you done by the end of Fall! Thus, you will spend your Summer (June through August) prepping. This will likely be high-intensity test prep, taking place either once or twice a week, depending on how much you need to improve.
STEP 4) SCHEDULE BACKUP TEST DATES
Timing: For the ACT, you could have many possible backup test dates: September, October or December of Junior year. For the SAT, you can choose between these months: October, November and December of Junior year. If you STILL don’t get your target score by the end of Junior year Fall, you have all of the Spring test dates as a last resort.
4. SAT and ACT Gameplan for Extra Time Test-Takers
If you have any diagnosed learning disabilities, are a slow-and-steady type in your learning style, are a year behind in your math classes, or simply have a long ways to go to reach your target SAT or ACT scores, consider this Testing Timeline.
STEP 1) CHOOSE BETWEEN THE SAT AND THE ACT
Timing: Summer before Junior year through October of Junior year at the latest.
STEP 2) SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST SAT OR ACT
Timing: Pick March as your first attempt at taking the SAT. If you’re an ACT-person, February or April are ideal first attempts, though April might give you some much-needed additional prep time.
STEP 3) SCHEDULE YOUR SAT OR ACT PREP
Timing: Since you have a bigger score jump to make, or you take longer for new knowledge to sink into your brain, it’s best to do consistent, low-intensity test prep. This means you should probably begin doing test prep work once a week (or a few sessions a month) starting towards the beginning of Junior year (like September or October).
STEP 4) SCHEDULE BACKUP TEST DATES
Timing: For the ACT, you could have many possible backup test dates: April, June, July, September, or October. For the SAT, you can choose between these months: May, June, August, October, November. If you still need another SAT or ACT test date, you might be able to use the December test sitting your senior year (if the colleges on your college list would accept it).
Conclusion
Pretty much every high schooler out there should be able to use one of these foundational SAT and ACT Testing Timelines to launch themselves to SAT/ACT and college admissions success.
Today we’ve gone over the four rough Testing Timelines that I see the most often. That said, each family and each student is unique! If you have special circumstances to consider—or just don’t know which one applies to you—I can draft you a bespoke test timeline, determine the ideal test for you, calculate your target scores, and create a winning study plan for you that will raise your score the most points in the least amount of time! Just book an Ace the Test: Game Plan™ session with me and I will take this stressful process off your plate!
And don’t forget: if you want a free PDF comparing each of these four timeline options, I’ve got you covered:
