Video:How to Choose an SAT Test Date

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Transcript:How to Choose an SAT Test Date

Hi! I’m Samantha Lake for About.com and today I’m going to show you How to Choose an SAT date. We’re here at “Count Me in Tutoring” in Bedford Corners, NY.

Know the College Application Deadline Before Picking an SAT Test Date

If you are a Junior or Senior in High School and are planning on applying to college you will need to take the SATs.The majority of students taking the SAT do so in the spring of their junior year and, if they decide to retake it, in the fall of their senior year. For students who plan to apply Early Decision or Early Action, you should consider taking the spring exam of your Junior year; it is imperative that you achieve your maximum score potential before summer, as the October SATs will likely be too late for those programs.

Students who are applying to college with the regular deadline can take the test for a second time in October of the their senior year. If your score is still not reflective of your true abilities, you can try again in November and possibly even December if your college has a January admissions deadline.

Registration is Required to Take the SATs

If you're taking the SAT, you're going to need to know the SAT dates in order to register. Remember, you can take the test as often as you like, even though you'll be paying for ir each time. SAT registration deadlines fall approximately 5 weeks before each test date. To register by mail, fill out the registration form in the College Board's Bulletin for the SAT Program. You can get a free copy of this publication from your school's guidance counselor. Or you can call Educational Testing Service at 609–771–7600 and they'll send you one free of charge. You can also register online at www.collegeboard.com. You can also get SAT registration info at About.com.

Standby Testing is Available but Not Recommended for the SATs

One question people always have is what happens if I miss the registration date for the SAT I want to take. If you miss the registration date for the SAT’s that you want to take the test, you can try SAT standby testing. It is not recommended though. You can register to take the SAT standby, which means showing up at the test center very early, and hoping there is a seat available for you, but that is an option I do not recommend.

If you follow these easy steps, you will be able to determine which SAT test date will be right for you. To learn more about education and other topics, please visit About.com. Thanks for watching.