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warblers
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Posted: Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 01:28 pm |
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| My sister registered for the December SAT per her GC's advice (and against mine). I suspect she'd do a lot better on the ACT, so I've been pushing her to consider taking it. She wants to take it in December, but I think this would be a really bad idea. When would be the ideal time to take it? She'll be taking AP and IB exams in May, so it's probably not a good idea to add SAT II's or the ACT during April or May. Last edited on Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 01:32 pm by warblers
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lfm
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| Joined: | Sat Jul 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | California USA |
| Posts: | 116 |
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Posted: Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 01:58 pm |
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| Actually, May is an excellent time to take the SATIIs, if they coorespond to an AP exam (I am not sure about IB). There is a lot of overlap in material, so you don't really need to do much special studying for the SAT.
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Chedva
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| Joined: | Sun Mar 5th, 2006 |
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| Posts: | 579 |
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Posted: Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 02:23 pm |
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My d took the SAT I's in January and the ACT in March of Junior year. She took the SAT IIs in June, but should have taken one in May after the AP test.
Believe it or not, the timing for SAT I and ACT really doesn't matter all that much. I think it's more important that your d feels comfortable with the schedule she's set up herself. If she's confident, she'll do better. (And if she doesn't, at least she can't blame you for setting them up that way! )
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ellenrch
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| Joined: | Fri Aug 24th, 2007 |
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Posted: Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 03:15 pm |
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My S took the World History SAT II first as a warm-up in the fall of junior year, and it turned out to be a real confidence-builder that I think helped him feel positive about the rest of the SAT testing. (History is his best and favorite subject.) He took the SAT I in January and March--just 10 points difference in his two score totals, and they were "keepers," so he was done. I should add that he also took the SAT for CTY in 7th grade, and his school district gives the PSAT in grades 9-11, so he had practice.
Echoing what Chedva said, every kid is different, and the timing doesn't matter a whole lot. Mine just wanted to get SATs over with (no prep course, minimal studying), and that turned out to be a successful strategy. He could put the testing pressure behind him and concentrate on the rest of the process. Some of his friends are still testing this fall while they're in the middle of doing applications--not fun.
Remember that if two or more SAT IIs are required, most schools want them in different subject areas. My S wouldn't listen to me on this topic and signed up for US History in spring of junior year. That meant he had to take another SAT II (English Lit) last month.
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Wstrdg
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| Joined: | Mon Mar 6th, 2006 |
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| Posts: | 423 |
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Posted: Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 03:45 pm |
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| SAT II's in May or June are perfect! They are on Saturday only, so they won't interfere with AP exams. And remember that they are short (one hour only) and all multiple choice, so they really aren't painful, especially if you've just studied for the AP in the same subject. And June isn't bad for SAT I or ACT, either, especially if you've just finished up pre-calc/trig, since that's the highest math you'll see on those, and it will be fresh in your brain.
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Wstrdg
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Posted: Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 03:47 pm |
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Forgot to add --
I don't think the ACT in December is necessarily bad. If she does great, celebrate! If not, the ACT lets you pick which scores to report, so if she does poorly, who will know?
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skibum
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| Joined: | Sun Mar 5th, 2006 |
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| Posts: | 182 |
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Posted: Sat Nov 3rd, 2007 05:18 pm |
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| As I mentioned in another thread, I have changed my opinion about the timing of the SATS. Whenever your sister preps is a good time to take it. If she prepped for the PSAT, then she might feel ready to take it , and December is fine. She can always retake in May.
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DesperateDad
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| Joined: | Tue Mar 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | California USA |
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Posted: Sat Nov 3rd, 2007 06:27 pm |
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I agree with skibum: take the tests whenever the student is ready. That being said, later in Junior year usually helps most kids on CR, since six months (assuming March test date) more of English can help quite a bit, particularly with a strong teacher. Of course, I know several kids who prepped hard for the psat over the prior summer, and taking the October SAT was easy for them. But, then again, they "were ready."
Definitely take Subject Tests in May if taking a corresponding AP/IB class. The material is fresh, and a test can be repeated in June if necessary.
ACT can be taken anytime, since they allow score choice. Check, however, to see if your school adds test scores to transcripts. If so, your student can always register for the ACT and leave the high school code blank, so the school will not receive a report.
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