Debating when you should take the SAT or ACT? Your perfect test date comes down to scheduling and planning. Consider how much time you’ll need to prep, how packed your schedule is, and how many times you plan to take the test.
If you haven't already, check out the upcoming ACT test and registration dates. Here are some tips and ACT facts to help you make your decision about when to take the ACT.
Read More: Take a Free Practice Test
Check out the upcoming SAT test and registration dates to decide when to take the SAT and then read these SAT facts:
Consider your own schedule and plan ahead when picking your test dates. Do you act in the spring musical and plan to take several AP exams? Have you been dreaming of attending big state university since you were a toddler and already plan to apply early decision? We recommend taking your first SAT or ACT test as early as your schedule allows. If you plan to take both tests, plan to take them in consecutive months for the most efficient prep. Comprehensive prep courses can start as many as 8 to 10 weeks before the test.
Read More: How to Prep for Both the SAT and ACT
For security reasons, ACT will not let you take the exam more than twelve times, and technically the SAT is unlimited. But we don't believe colleges will accept “taking standardized tests” as an extracurricular activity!
We recommend that you plan to take the ACT and/or SAT 1–3 times. Once you get the score you want, there’s no reason to take it again.
Our private tutors will help you build a prep plan that's customized to your score goals, study habits, and schedule.
Connect with our featured colleges to find schools that both match your interests and are looking for students like you.
Join athletes who were discovered, recruited & often received scholarships after connecting with NCSA's 42,000 strong network of coaches.
168,000 students rate everything from their professors to their campus social scene.