As a tutor, one of the questions I get asked by parents like clockwork is, “When should my child take the SAT for the first time?” I get it—timing is everything when it comes to something as big (and potentially stressful) as the SAT. After all, this test is kind of a big deal in the whole college admissions thing. But don’t worry! I’m here to guide you through the process so you can pick the perfect time for your child to tackle this test like a pro.
The Ideal Time to Take the SAT (a.k.a. The Sweet Spot)
The SAT doesn’t have to be a villain lurking in the shadows of your child’s high school career. In fact, the best time for most students to take the SAT is during the spring of their junior year (11th grade). Why? Because by then, they’ve got most of their high school coursework under their belt—algebra, geometry, fancy reading comprehension stuff—and all those test questions will feel much more familiar.
Taking the SAT in the spring also means your child has time to catch their breath, see how they did, and still take it again in the fall if they want to boost their score. Plus, it’s perfect for those kids eyeing early decision or early action college applications, which often have deadlines around November. A spring test date gives them some breathing room and more flexibility.
Can My Child Take It Earlier? Sure, But…
I know some students are eager beavers and want to take the SAT earlier, maybe even as sophomores or in the fall of junior year. It’s totally possible! The plus side? They get a taste of what the SAT is like, which can help reduce some nerves later on. The downside? They might not have covered all the material yet. No one wants to sit in front of a math question that looks like it came straight from Mars.
If your child feels super confident and wants to get ahead of the game, go for it! But for most students, waiting until they’ve learned more content can make a big difference in how comfortable they feel. And hey, there’s no need to rush and end up with unnecessary test anxiety on top of everything else. We’re playing the long game here!
How Many Times Should They Take It?
Ah, the classic question! Should your child take the SAT once? Twice? Thrice? Well, it’s pretty common for students to take it more than once. In fact, a lot of colleges offer “superscoring,” which is where they’ll take the best scores from each section across different test dates. So if your child nails the math section one time but stumbles on the reading section, no worries! They can focus on improving those weaker spots for the next round.
But let’s not go overboard here. Taking the SAT five times without a solid plan can lead to major SAT anxiety, and nobody needs that. Instead, after the first attempt, we’ll review the results, make a plan to target any weak areas, and then go in for round two feeling ready to rock.
How to Keep Stress (and SAT Anxiety) in Check
Let’s be real—the SAT is stressful. Test anxiety is common, and it can creep up on even the most prepared students. But there are ways to manage it! Encourage your child to start preparing early (no cramming the night before!), get familiar with the test format, and practice with real SAT questions. Don’t forget about the basics either—plenty of sleep, breaks to relax, and maybe a little bit of breathing exercises for the nerves.
I’ve also got tons of tips right here on this blog to help your child navigate SAT anxiety and test anxiety in general. Be sure to check back often for advice on how to stay cool, calm, and collected while tackling this exam—and anything else high school throws their way.
The Bottom Line: When Should They Take It?
To sum it up: The spring of junior year is your best bet for your child’s first SAT attempt. It gives them enough time to be well-prepared, and it leaves plenty of room to retake the test if they want to boost their score. However, if your child is feeling confident and wants to give it a go earlier, that’s an option too—just make sure they’ve got the prep down so they can avoid any unnecessary stress or SAT anxiety.
And don’t forget—this blog is here for you every step of the way! Whether it’s advice on how to handle test stress or tips for improving scores, I’m here to help you and your child through the entire SAT process, making it as smooth as possible. Stick around, because we’ve got lots more to cover!