College Admissions Testing Timeline: When to Take What
College admissions testing stretches across three years of high school. A clear timeline reduces last-minute stress and gives students the best chance to achieve their strongest scores.
The Testing Timeline at a Glance
| Grade / Time | Action |
|---|---|
| 9th Grade, Fall/Spring | Take PSAT 8/9 at school if offered; build strong study habits and take rigorous courses |
| 10th Grade, October | Take PSAT/NMSQT for practice (not the qualifying year); review results and identify areas to improve |
| 10th Grade, Spring | Take PSAT 10 if offered; begin thinking about SAT vs. ACT (consider taking a practice test of each) |
| Summer before 11th Grade | Begin focused SAT/ACT preparation using Khan Academy or official materials; decide which test to target |
| 11th Grade, October | Take PSAT/NMSQT (qualifying year for National Merit) |
| 11th Grade, Winter–Spring | Take SAT or ACT for the first time (March–June) |
| 11th Grade, May | Take AP exams for any AP courses completed |
| Summer after 11th Grade | Review scores; determine whether a retake is worthwhile; continue preparing if retaking |
| 12th Grade, August–November | Retake SAT/ACT if needed; most fall dates work with application deadlines |
| 12th Grade, May | AP or IB exams; final opportunity for college credit before matriculation |
How Many Times Should My Child Take the SAT or ACT?
Most students see meaningful score improvement on a second attempt, particularly if they prepare between sittings. A third attempt sometimes helps; beyond that, gains are usually modest. Colleges do not view multiple attempts negatively — many superscore the best results across sittings.
Test-Optional Policies
Many colleges — including some highly selective ones — have adopted test-optional or test-free admissions policies, meaning they do not require or consider SAT/ACT scores. However, “test-optional” does not mean tests are unimportant for all applicants: students with strong scores may still benefit from submitting them, and some scholarships remain test-score dependent. Research each school’s specific policy and scholarship requirements.
AP and IB Strategy
AP and IB courses strengthen a college application through the rigor of the curriculum, not just the exam scores. Students should take AP or IB courses in subjects where they are genuinely strong and interested. Overloading on AP courses at the expense of grades and wellbeing is not a sound strategy. For more on AP, see AP Exams Explained.