When to Study for and Take Standardized Tests

Standardized testing is a significant part of the college admissions process. Many colleges are test optional, but others, including a number of highly selective colleges and Florida’s public universities, require scores. The tests are used as a benchmark to compare students' college readiness. Due to the important nature of the tests many students stress over getting the score they need. This is a reasonable response, but stress can be reduced by having an outlined study plan and testing timeline.

The two most widely accepted college admissions tests in the U.S. are the SAT and the ACT (some colleges, including Florida’s public universities, also accept the Classic Learning Test, or CLT). Each is different in several aspects. Since March 2024, the SAT in the U.S. has been a digital test taken in College Board’s Bluebook app. It lasts 2 hours and 14 minutes, has a Reading and Writing section and a Math section, and the second part of each section adapts to how the student did on the first. The ACT was shortened beginning in 2025: English, math and reading are required, science and writing are optional, and the composite score is the average of English, math and reading. Identifying which one suits a student is important as many individuals do better on one than the other. Taking a practice test for both is a good idea to gauge potential performance on real test sittings and will provide information on which test the student should focus on studying for.

Students should begin preparing for the tests early. The best time to prepare for the SAT and ACT is after a student completes geometry and algebra II math classes as these are the basis for the math sections, although a small amount of trigonometry and a few pre-calculus topics are included. English classes throughout middle school and high school will help with the reading sections. These classes do not all need to be taken before testing, but will provide a valuable foundation for the SAT and ACT. Ideally, students should start preparing during 10th grade or the summer before 11th grade. This provides sufficient time to study without being rushed.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that students should take an official test early on, even before high school, but this is not a good idea. Some colleges ask applicants to report every test sitting, meaning a low score might be seen and will not look good. Waiting until the student is actually prepared for the test is important in this case. Taking a test for 'experience' will likely result in a low score and will count as a test sitting. There is no universal limit on the number of sittings, and testing many times without new preparation is rarely worthwhile, but if a student can still raise their score, testing again can be reasonable. It is important to note that the number of test sittings may not matter at all if the college that an applicant applies to does not require all test scores to be sent. Many colleges let students choose which SAT or ACT test dates to send (College Board calls this Score Choice), while others, such as Caltech, ask applicants to report all sittings. Thus, researching a certain college's policy is important to create a testing plan. Multiple test sittings are also especially important because they allow for a superscore, which combines the highest section scores from all test sittings (on the ACT, the superscore now uses only English, math and reading). Some colleges superscore the SAT or ACT, but some do not. Research this policy when creating a testing plan.

Students should take their first SAT or ACT once they have studied for the test and understand its layout by taking official practice tests. For example, if someone begins studying in the summer after their 9th grade year, they should take their first test in the fall of their 10th grade year. Based on the results, they should take it again after studying for several months, such as in the spring of their 10th grade year or wait until the fall of the 11th grade. Register before the regular deadline for each test date, since both the SAT and the ACT charge an extra fee for late registration. The PSAT/NMSQT in the fall of 11th grade is also useful practice, and for students on a typical four-year schedule it is the only PSAT that counts for entry to the National Merit Scholarship Program. Everyone should make it a priority to finish testing before 12th grade as students will need time to complete college applications, which often include extensive and time-consuming essay writing and possibly college interviews. Many colleges accept scores from tests taken early in senior year, but the latest accepted test date varies by college and application plan. Testing plans will vary based on the student, but getting started early is best.

The testing process requires time and planning. That is why starting early is very important, especially when students are trying to get a very high score (1400+). With enough time and hard work, major improvements can be made. There are many online resources, such as free official SAT practice tests in College Board’s Bluebook app and free SAT lessons on Khan Academy, free official ACT practice tests and the paid Official ACT Self-Paced Course on the ACT website, as well as private tutoring options that can help students improve their scores. Check out our Standardized Tests guide for more information on standardized testing.