timing

I had someone say to me today, "Hey...don't you tutor for the SAT?" I said that I did. She said, "My stepson is a Junior. When should he take the test?"

Here is what I think.

I think you should take the test around now for the first time if you are a Junior. This will be a good way to see what you need to do to raise your score to get into the college that you want to get into.

Ideally, I like for my kids to have one test under their belt before they come and see me. This way I can look at their scores and determine the best way to raise their score. Then they take it one more time before the end of their Junior year. This leaves us the first test option in fall of their Senior year to tidy up any loose ends. Then they can apply early admission and stop worrying about it all together.

That's what I think, anyway. It just makes for less stress at the start of their Senior year. There is nothing worse than a Senior who is seriously stressed because they are at the "last chance" test. Trust me. I know these things.