Should you take SAT or ACT in December?

It is best to take the SAT/ACT as early as possible—typically starting in the fall of your junior year. This way you have plenty of time to retake the test should you want to get a higher score. 

Taking the SAT or ACT is a part Aof going to college for many students. Though they can take it as early as their freshman year of high school, most students take it their junior year. If your student is going to take it, they should consider completing it by December of their senior year. It is a good idea to check with individual schools for deadlines.

Preparing for the Test

The student shouldn’t go into the test unprepared — encourage them to take the PreACT or the PSAT during their sophomore year. These prep tests can give your student an idea of what it’s like to take a timed, proctored test, how much they’ll need to prepare, and which test they prefer.

Test scores of SAT or ACT

The ACT and SAT score on different scales. ACT ranges from 1 to 36. The SAT scores required two sections (math and evidence-based reading and writing) from 200 to 800 and those scores are combined for an overall score of 400-1,600.

How Many Times Should You Take the ACT / SAT? 

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.

Is it better to take SAT in December?

To leave yourself time for retakes, you should take your first SAT sometime during your junior year, and the December SAT can be a great first test date. It’ll leave you plenty of options for retakes, such as during the spring of the junior year, the summer before senior year, and/or the fall of senior year.

Is the ACT easier in December?

There were studies done that showed higher scores in one month than another, those months changed year to year. December scores usually arrive in time to be considered during the initial application reads in January and February. Since there is no longer a January SAT date, this means December is your last chance for the SAT for almost all schools.

It’s always a good idea to begin early, but to decide on specific test dates, you’ll need to factor in circumstances like your personal schedule, your admissions deadlines, and the classes you’re currently taking. All of these make a big difference in when you should take the SAT or ACT.

In ACT vs SAT which test best aligns a student, you can use comparison tools, predictor/custom tests also.

To score high students can use Socrato to practice online and get insights beyond scores. Socrato’s Companion Series helps you get the most from your Official Study Guide.