SAT/ACT Test Dates 2024-2025: When to Take the Test

Strategic test timing can maximize your score and college admissions success. Here's when to take the SAT/ACT based on your grade and application timeline.

2024-2025 SAT Test Dates

Fall 2024

• August 24, 2024 (Sunday makeup: September 8)
• October 5, 2024 (Sunday makeup: October 20)
• November 2, 2024 (Sunday makeup: November 17)
• December 7, 2024 (Sunday makeup: December 22)

Spring 2025

• March 8, 2025 (Sunday makeup: March 23)
• May 3, 2025 (Sunday makeup: May 18)
• June 7, 2025 (Sunday makeup: June 22)

Registration deadlines: ~5 weeks before test date Late registration: ~2 weeks before test date (+fee) Score release: ~2 weeks after test date

2024-2025 ACT Test Dates

Fall 2024

• September 14, 2024
• October 26, 2024
• December 14, 2024

Spring 2025

• February 8, 2025
• April 5, 2025
• June 14, 2025
• July 12, 2025

Registration deadlines: ~5 weeks before test date Late registration: ~2 weeks before test date (+fee) Score release: 2-8 weeks after test date (ACT is slower)

Testing Timeline by Grade

Sophomore Year (10th Grade)

Goal: Establish baseline, start light prep

Recommended:

• Spring (March-June): Take PSAT 10 or PreACT (if offered by school)
• Summer: Light content review, identify weak areas

Optional: Take SAT/ACT for practice (not for college applications)

Benefits:

• Low-pressure experience
• Identify areas for improvement
• Potentially qualify for summer programs

Junior Year (11th Grade)

Goal: Achieve target score for college applications

Recommended timeline:

Fall:

• October: PSAT/NMSQT (for National Merit Scholarship)
• November/December: Optional first SAT/ACT attempt

Winter/Spring:

• March: First serious SAT/ACT attempt
• May/June: Second attempt (after focused prep)

Summer (if needed):

• August: Final attempt to reach target score

Why this timeline:

• Multiple attempts with prep time between
• Scores ready for early applications
• Less stress senior year

Senior Year (12th Grade)

Goal: Final attempts if needed, meet application deadlines

Early Decision/Early Action applicants:

• August/September: Last chance for ED/EA
• October: Too late for most early applications

Regular Decision applicants:

• October/November: Good for RD applications
• December: Last chance for most RD deadlines

Spring:

• March-June: Only if waitlisted or transferring

Important: Most seniors are done testing by November

When to Take Your First Test

Best First Test Dates

For most students:

• Junior year March/April: After PSAT, solid prep time

For advanced students:

• Sophomore year Spring: Early start, low pressure

For less-prepared students:

• Junior year Fall: More time to prep fundamentals

Factors to Consider

Academic schedule:

• Avoid during midterms or finals
• Consider AP exam conflicts (May)
• Account for extracurricular commitments

Prep time:

• Need 2-3 months of serious prep minimum
• Don't take before you're ready (wastes money and time)

Multiple attempts:

• Plan for 2-3 attempts total
• Space attempts 2-3 months apart (time to improve)

Superscoring and Multiple Attempts

What is Superscoring?

SAT: Colleges take highest section scores across all test dates

• Best Reading/Writing: 700 (from March)
• Best Math: 750 (from May)
• Superscore: 1450

ACT: Colleges take highest section scores to create new composite

• English: 34 (from April)
• Math: 30 (from June)
• Reading: 32 (from April)
• Science: 31 (from June)
• Superscore: 32 (average of best sections)

Which colleges superscore?

• Most private colleges: Yes
• Public universities: Varies (check individual policies)
• Test-optional schools: May or may not

How Many Times to Test

Recommended: 2-3 times

• 1st attempt: Baseline
• 2nd attempt: After focused prep
• 3rd attempt: If close to goal

Diminishing returns: More than 3 attempts rarely improves scores significantly

College perspective: Taking 4+ times can look obsessive

College Application Deadlines

Early Decision/Early Action

Deadline: November 1 or 15 Last useful test date:

• SAT: October (November risky)
• ACT: September (October risky)

Rush score reporting: Available but expensive

Regular Decision

Deadline: January 1 or 15 Last useful test date:

• SAT: December (January for some schools)
• ACT: December

Verify: Some schools accept January/February tests for RD

UC System (California)

Deadline: November 30 Last test date: October/November No spring tests accepted

Rolling Admissions

Flexible: Can submit scores anytime before application Strategy: Apply early (better acceptance rates)

Strategic Test Date Selection

Maximize Superscore

If your school superscores:

• Take test multiple times
• Focus on different sections each time
• October + December or March + May (good spacing)

Scholarship Deadlines

Some scholarships have earlier deadlines:

• Check specific scholarship requirements
• Plan accordingly (may need September/October scores)

Summer Programs

Competitive summer programs may require:

• Junior year fall scores
• Example: RSI, TASP (deadlines in January)

Test Prep Timeline

3-Month Prep Plan

Example: March test

• December: Start prep, diagnostic test
• January: Intensive content review
• February: Practice tests, weak area focus
• Early March: Light review, rest before test

6-Month Prep Plan

Example: May test

• November-December: Foundation building
• January-February: Strategy development
• March-April: Intensive practice
• Late April: Refinement

Special Circumstances

Religious Observance

• Sunday makeup dates: Available for Saturday Sabbath observers
• Must request in advance
• Limited testing centers

Accommodations

• Extended time, breaks, etc.: Require advance approval
• Apply through College Board (SAT) or ACT early
• May need retesting if accommodations denied

International Students

• Fewer test dates: Some countries have limited offerings
• Plan earlier: Longer score reporting times
• Consider location: Nearest test center may be far

Cost Considerations

Test Costs (2024-2025)

SAT:

• Base fee: $60
• Late registration: +$30
• Standby testing: +$60
• Score sends: $13 each (beyond 4 free)

ACT:

• Base fee: $63
• Late registration: +$36
• Standby testing: +$55
• Score sends: $16 each (beyond 4 free)

Fee Waivers

Eligibility: Low-income students Benefits:

• Free test registration (2 SAT or 2 ACT)
• Free score reports
• Application fee waivers

How to get: Ask school counselor

Final Recommendations

Ideal Testing Schedule (Junior Year)

October: PSAT (National Merit) March: First SAT/ACT May: Second SAT/ACT August (if needed): Final attempt

Benefits:

• Scores ready for all application types
• Time to prep between attempts
• Less stress senior year

Backup Plan

Always register for one more test date than you think you need. You can cancel if unnecessary (some refund available).

When NOT to Test

• Week of major exams (finals, APs)
• When unprepared (wait until ready)
• More than 3 times (diminishing returns)

Strategic timing is as important as preparation. Plan your test dates carefully to maximize scores and meet all deadlines.