What grade should I take the SAT?

Hey guys, I was wondering what grade is usually best for taking the SAT? I want to balance my high school workload without being too late in the game. Any advice would be great, thanks!

Hello! It's good that you want to plan your SAT timeline! It's important to balance your workload while also giving yourself enough time for preparation and potential retakes.

Typically, students take the SAT during their junior year (11th grade) for the first time. This allows you to concentrate on your coursework and extracurricular activities during your earlier high school years. By junior year, you should have covered most of the material found on the SAT and built a strong foundation in the subjects. Additionally, taking it in junior year gives you enough time to retake the exam, if necessary, during the fall of your senior year (12th grade).

Remember that many schools have Early Action or Early Decision deadlines in the fall of senior year, so taking the test earlier gives you more opportunities to improve your score before these deadlines. Some students even choose to take the SAT for the first time in the spring of sophomore year (10th grade) to get an early start and gauge their skill level, then retake in their junior year if they wish to improve.

You should also consider your high school workload when deciding when to take the SAT. If you're going to have a demanding course schedule or heavy extracurricular commitments during your junior year, you might want to start preparing for the SAT earlier (during summer before junior year or over other breaks) to spread out the workload.

Ultimately, pick a study timeline that works best for your schedule and strengths while still giving you enough time for potential retakes and submitting college applications. Good luck!