With Decision Day now past for most high school seniors around the country, it’s a different picture for juniors. The spring of junior year generally means testing time, and there are plenty of opportunities to take the SAT and ACT. It’s easy to get lost in the flood of information around test dates and deadlines, and seeing how everything fits into your child’s own schedule, goals and skills. So, in the next two issues of the Showcase, “College Bound” will look ahead to the summer and fall with a month-by-month plan to make sense of it all.
For starters, when it comes to standardized testing, my overall recommendation is to limit tests to no more than 3 – the statistics show there isn’t much improvement after a third attempt – so keep that in mind when planning future dates. Many juniors have already taken one or two SATs or ACTs between October and December 2025, this past March, April, or May, or earlier this month. If that’s the case in your family, then your plan for the months ahead should take into account how many more times they should realistically think about taking another one, while balancing the other equally important aspects of the application process: the Personal Statement, supplemental essays, and getting set up on the Common App (commonapp.org).
With that in mind, here are testing options for juniors looking ahead to senior year and hoping to fit in another admissions test:
July: The summer’s only ACT offering is on July 11th, and you have until June 24th to sign up. Now featuring options to take the test online, with or without a Science component, the ACT has worked hard to keep pace and position itself as a more attractive option than the SAT. But this close to the registration deadline, it may be tough to find a seat at a convenient location, and rising seniors might be better served using the summer to practice and then testing in September.
August: If you’re able to commit 6-8 weeks to practice after the Fourth of July (and we’re not talking about all-day, every-day prep – just consistent, focused review), the August 22nd date can be a better fit than October when college application deadlines are looming. HOWEVER – these spots also fill quickly, so if you’re thinking about taking this date, register as soon as possible so you can take it at a site close to home.
September 12th SAT; September 19th ACT; October 3rd SAT; October 17th ACT: These late dates are better options for juniors (Class of 2028) than seniors (Class of 2027), but if you’re a senior and absolutely need one more ACT or SAT before applying, these would be your options. All of them are OK even for Early Action applicants – provided the rest of your application materials are received by the EA/ED deadlines. In October, many high schools will also offer the PSAT for sophomores and juniors – something you should certainly try to take advantage of.
It’s not necessary or advisable to try to sit for all of these dates, so aim for those that fit best into your family’s summer plans and still allow your son or daughter to enjoy their break, take part in their favorite sport, work that part-time job, and get out ahead of their college essays. Putting a calendar together up front can help alleviate much of the stress and uncertainty around the process, while ensuring they have every opportunity to gain admission to the college of their choice!
