If you are in high school, you have probably already started to think about college admissions. One of the most important decisions you will have to make in high school is deciding when to take the SAT or ACT. 

Scoring well on these tests can determine which college or university you end up going to, so there is definitely a lot riding on these tests. This is why you need to know when the best time to take the SAT or ACT is.

Deciding On a Test Date

Since both the SAT and ACT are conducted multiple times throughout the year, you get to decide which time of year to take your test. There are a few key points that you need to keep in mind when choosing a test date. 

Firstly, try to choose a day and time at least 6-12 months in advance because you want to give yourself an adequate amount of time to prepare, especially since you will have to juggle both high school work and test prep at the same time.

Secondly, you can go through Khan Academy’s online SAT resources to get an idea of the type of questions asked and the topics covered. 

This will also give you an idea of the amount of time you will need to study all the topics. Based on this, you can decide if you want to take the test sooner or later depending on how well you know these topics.

SAT Schedule

The SAT is conducted multiple times each year, so you can choose the month you want to take the test. The SAT is held in the months of March, May, June, August, October, November, and December.

You are eligible to take the SAT any time during your high school year, but most students take the test during their junior or senior year. Pro tip: Always look through the SAT schedule before deciding on a test date.

ACT Schedule

Similar to the SAT, the ACT is also held multiple times during the year. Usually, the ACT is scheduled in June, July, September, October, December, February, and April.

However, ACT schedules can vary according to state, so make sure you only choose the test dates that are offered in your state. The ACT exam tests students on English and math topics that are usually already covered by most high school curriculums, so you can easily take the ACT in your senior year of high school. 

Concluding Thoughts

The best time to take the SAT or ACT is usually during your junior or senior year of high school. This is to ensure that you have enough time to retake the exam if anything goes wrong. Be prepared and confident. You can get through this!