Alright, so perhaps you did not do that well on the December SAT Subject Test, or perhaps you did not get your act together to test early. It’s okay — there is still some time for you! With your research still fresh in your memory, it is logical to take you Subject Test in June. As an example, if you just completed your AP Physics exam the month before, why don’t you continue studying Physics for the following month and take your Physics Subject Test in June? Testing in June also gives you the chance to re-test in the end of August.
Published at Mon, 14 Aug 2017 14:45:53 +0000
It’s no surprise to hear that college admissions is becoming increasingly more aggressive. Because of this, it is important for every student to make sure their program and test scores are demonstrating their proficiencies and pursuits.
Here’s some information on when you should start pursuing your SAT Subject test preparation & testing:
Rising juniors, this is your time to shine! With the SAT and ACT just around the corner, it is important to start plan what topic tests you need to take for the colleges you’re applying to. While certain colleges require no subject tests, others could require a few, making it important to not overload your junior year with preparing for the SAT or ACT along with two or three Subject Tests. At the beginning of your school year it is important to have a practice test of the subject tests you are interested in taking. This gives you a preview of just how much studying and how long you need to attain your goal score!
It’s important to work with your college counselor to decide upon a plan for best meeting your academic and college objectives. In IvyWise, our counselors work with students to develop a course and testing schedule that meets the requirements of the institutions to which you’re applying. Once your counselor has told you that tests to prepare for and when, it is time to start with your tutoring! Tutoring for you topic tests aren’t something you can accomplish in a weekend, despite the fact that the exam itself only takes an hour.
Ensure you’re on track with your tutoring and test prep by downloading our free Tutoring Checklist below!
The school year is coming, what exactly does that mean? Students will begin thinking about (or stressing about) when they should take their college placement exams. While students usually have a reasonable handle on when to take the SAT or ACT, there seems to be confusion should you take SAT Subject Tests and if.
Check Out the Subject Test Schedule Early
Testing Your Summer After Junior Year
Depending on what grade level and what courses you’ve taken, it is important to line up your SAT Subject Tests with your applicable coursework. With that being said, it is not too early to start taking a topic test after your first year of high school! If you completed Biology or U.S. History freshmen or sophomore year, why wait two years to take the exam? You can begin studying for your SAT Subjects along with your progress in a course in order to effectively retain information, instead of learning the information and forgetting it prior to the exam.
SAT Subject Tests Are Sometimes an Application Requirement But They Can Also Help You Boost Your Applicant Profile
You might be asking yourself – how do students demonstrate these pursuits? One way is to take SAT Subject Tests that align with students’ academic interests and intended major. SAT Subject Tests allow students to demonstrate proficiency in a certain subject area, and can give admissions officers a deeper understanding of a students’ academic goals. To see colleges and universities that use the Subject Tests, click here.
As an example, we have found a number of our students leave their topic tests until May of the junior year. This is something IvyWise Tutoring specialists would advise against since it is a rather hectic month. AP Exams are scheduled for the first two weeks of May, students might have sports games, finals are just around the bend, and of course there are extracurricular activities, such as prom, that could deter students from doing their best.
- Don’t be afraid to start studying early!
- You do not need to wait until Junior Year to start taking your Subject Tests.
- Be conscious of the testing schedule — not every test is offered every sitting.
- Match up your SAT Subject Tests with your academic schedule.
- Use your AP Exams to research for you SAT Subject Tests.
By Megan, IvyWise Tutoring Manager
It’s important to plan ahead since not every test is given every month. If you’re planning on taking Chinese with Listening in 2017-18, then you need to know that it is simply proctored during the November 4th test date. However, there are a few exams, such as Math I, that are available during every sitting. These are the tests where you wish to schedule when is most convenient for you after thorough preparation.
Every August the College Board releases the forthcoming year’s testing schedule. Once that schedule it released, you are able to gauge when the best time to take an exam is based on your schedule.
Takeaways
Sophomore Into Junior Year
Not All Tests Are Scheduled Equally
Entering your junior year, you should have been working together with your tutors to prepare for the ACT or SAT, as well as preparing for your upcoming Subject Tests over the summer. If you’re ahead of the game and began studying for your topic tests during the summer, by December you should feel confident sitting for your own tests. Why December? It gives you the opportunity to finish your test before the end of year school rush where most students are analyzing for the SAT & ACT, have their AP Exams and have started final exam projects and studying.
Source: TPD College Admissions Feed
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