When Do Students Typically Take the SAT in High School?

I'm a junior right now and starting to think about my testing schedule. What time of year do most students take the SAT? I'm considering whether I should go for the spring or maybe wait until fall of senior year. Any insights on the timing and how it affected your prep or college apps would be super helpful!

Most students tend to take the SAT for the first time in the spring of their junior year. Taking the test during this time allows you to get an understanding of the exam format and identify areas that you might need to focus more on for subsequent attempts. Be sure to allocate some time before the exam for test prep.

If the score you receive is not as high as you’d like or if you feel you can improve, you'll still have the summer to prep and retake the exam in the fall of your senior year. In both cases, you'd be able to submit your scores early in your senior year, aligning nicely with most college application deadlines.

Keep in mind that as of spring 2024, the SAT exam is fully digital. Each section of the test is divided into two modules, and you have roughly 71 seconds per question for the Reading and Writing part and about a minute and a half per question for the Math part. The total duration of the digital SAT is 134 minutes. You also get to use a calculator on both math modules.

Remember that effective SAT prep goes beyond simply understanding the content. Familiarizing yourself with the test format and practicing time management will significantly contribute to your success. If you're unsure about whether to take the test in the spring or the fall of your senior year, I'd suggest considering your course load, extracurricular commitments, and the amount of time you can allocate for SAT prep.

Also, checking in with your school's guidance counselor or a college counselor could help you determine the best timing based on your individual circumstance.