When To Take The Sat Exam in 2024
Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle, or your middle to someone else’s end. – John Acuff
You have entered high school junior grade. Your classmates are discussing the SAT, ACT, and application to college during the lunch break. Amidst all of this, you have begun reading up on the SAT. You know a thing or two about the test, and its format, and could offer preparation tips on blogs.
But what next? When should you appear for the SAT? Maybe next month because it’s available to register. Or hold on to a certain future date, perhaps. How much time should you take to prepare?
Let’s leave speculation aside in this article and answer your most pressing question while preparing for the SAT:
When is the best time to take the SAT?
In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the best strategies for SAT scheduling, whether you’re taking it for the first time or planning a retake.
When Should You Take The SAT
We suggest that you consider taking the SAT for the initial time during the spring of your junior year, followed by another attempt in the fall before the college application deadlines. Many students find that retaking the SAT results in score improvement, and some opt to take the test multiple times.
Here’s a quick overview of the SAT test schedule for the high school academic year, assuming you are a high school junior.
March 2024: Time to put those New Year resolutions to good use! A fine choice for students who want to improve their scores before submitting college applications.
May/June 2024: Your final opportunity before the summer break and college application deadlines.
Choose Your SAT Exam Dates 2024
The SAT is given 7 times each year, in March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. You can select your SAT exam date according to your preference. The below table lists the upcoming SAT test dates and schedules for 2024:
| SAT Test Date | SAT Registration Deadline | Deadline for Late Registration, Changes, and Regular Cancellation |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 9, 2024 (Digital SAT) | Feb 23, 2024 | February 27, 2024 |
| May 4, 2024 (Digital SAT) | Apr 19. 2024 | Apr 23, 2024 |
| June 1, 2024 (Digital SAT) | May 16, 2024 | May 21, 2024 |
All deadlines are set to expire at 11:59 p.m. ET, U.S.
To learn about the SAT registration process, head over to this page.
When do You take the SAT: 5 Factors to Consider
There are multiple factors that you must consider when you plan to take the SAT exam. As a first-time test taker, here are a few things you must keep in mind.
Academic Schedule
Take into account your high school’s academic calendar. If you have a particularly challenging junior year, avoid scheduling your SAT during mid-terms, finals, or when major projects are due. Do consider things like a family wedding or a vacation, if that’s important to you. It is crucial to strike a balance between test preparation and your coursework.
Preparation Time
Adequate preparation is the key to success on the SAT. Consider how much time you’ll need to prepare for the test. It could be 3 months, 6 months or more. In any case, you must prepare a few months in advance. Make sure to create a study schedule that works for you, thereby covering all the test sections thoroughly.
Suggested: SAT Preparation: Learn the Best Strategies & Tips for SAT Exam Preparation
Application Deadlines
Most colleges have application deadlines toward late fall or early winter of your senior year. To ensure that your perfect SAT scores are available in time for your applications, plan to take the test a few months before the deadline. Check the application requirements for the schools you’re interested in, as some may accept scores from the December test date for regular decision applications.
Number of Attempts
You can take the SAT multiple times. While retakes can increase your scores, it’s essential to consider the time required to study and prepare for them. Make sure you leave enough room for retakes, if necessary, to achieve your desired score.
Availability of Test Centers
The SAT is administered across the country, in thousands of test centers. However, not all test centers are available for each test. Some of them may have a lesser number of seats too.
Check the available test centers in your area or at a familiar location when deciding on your test date.
From the Desk of Yocket
The SAT is an important step in navigating your high school journey. Success in the SAT sets you up for a bright future. However, the journey to that ‘dream college’ begins much earlier than the day of the results or the exam date. It begins with timely preparation and deciding on when to take the test. You can also take help from our Yocket team.
While considering the time, make sure you take into account factors like preparation time, application deadlines, as well as your own schedule. Start early, preferably in your junior year, as recommended by the College Board. This will allow time to retake the test in the Fall of the senior year, in case needed to raise the scores.
Frequently Asked Question about When to take SAT
1. Can I take the SAT multiple times?
Absolutely! You can take the SAT as many times as you’d like, and colleges have a variety of score-reporting policies. Some colleges may consider your highest scores from each section, while others may look at your best overall composite score. It’s important to research the policies of the specific colleges you’re interested in to understand how they handle multiple scores.
2. Should I take the SAT or the ACT, and can I take both?
The SAT and ACT are both widely accepted by colleges, and you can choose to take either or both exams. It’s a good idea to check the admission requirements of the colleges you’re interested in to see if they have a preference for one test over the other.
Some students find that they perform better on one test than the other, so taking both can give you options when applying to colleges. Take a call based on your unique circumstances and goals. Plan your test schedule carefully, prepare thoroughly, and approach the test with confidence.
3. When Should I take the SAT for the first time?
The College Board recommends taking the SAT by the Spring of your junior year. You can also take it in the Fall of your senior year though it will leave you with less time for a retake if the scores are low.