"We recommend that students take the SAT in the spring of their junior year and then decide if they want to take it again in the fall of their senior year."
-College Board Website FAQ section If you're a top student trying to figure out when to take the SAT and your guidance counselor gives you the above advice, don't take it. It's a dumb idea to blindly regurgitate anything from the College Board, given it's one of the most ass-backwards organizations in the history of the world. Believe it or not, up until 2014, the College Board refused to acknowledge that SAT-prep (aka actually studying for the test) helped improve your score...pretty sad for a company that's been administering the SAT exam since 1926. Thoughtful advice depends on the specific circumstances of the student and one such group are top students: those with high GPAs who are taking Honors/AP/IB classes and will be applying to super selective colleges/universities. If this describes you, here are 4 reasons you should ignore the College Board's guidance and take the SAT sooner rather than later:
The unique circumstances of academically advanced students are just one of many examples of how students vary when it comes to their education & career goals. Therefore, giving the same blanket guidance to all students, regardless of their situation, is downright idiotic. Don't sign up for a test date simply because it’s when other students take the exam. Students have different needs based on extracurricular activities, course loads, goals, and personality. If you choose the right test date based on your circumstances, you’re taking the first step toward successfully planning for the exam — and your future higher education. |
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