The imperative decision for students hoping to enter those competitive universities is when to take the SAT or ACT. Should one go ahead and register for the earliest test date? Wait it out until one feels completely ready? Or just not take a test date if the conditions are not ideal? Over the years, students have come to The Princeton Review Singapore to find guidance on such matters, and no doubt, the choice of the best test date requires weighing a lot of factors. This article will discuss those “must” elements to assess in order to help you decide about skipping a test date, as well as the best time to take the SAT or ACT.
Factor 1: Comprehensive Preparation
Taking on tests such as the SAT and ACT calls for comprehensive preparation, as these tests typically evaluate a wider academic scope. The SAT, for instance, assesses mathematics, which includes the subjects of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry; evidence-based reading; and writing. Meanwhile, the ACT incorporates scientific reasoning and extends mathematics topics up to pre-calculus. However, before deciding on a certain testing date, here are things to consider:
- Did I master the fundamental course content to tackle the exam?
- Are my practice test scores scoring near my target score, ideally around 50 to 100 points away?
- Have I devised methods of learning to deal with my time management, educated guesses, and which questions to skip?
Postponing the Test: If important concepts are perplexing and performance in practice tests varies widely, it would be sensible to postpone taking the exam. An undesirable score may erode one’s confidence and may not bring out one’s best in the eyes of admission officers if submitted.
The Right Time: After a planned preparation period of two to three months, the test should be scheduled, and this time will enable one to sharpen one’s skills and build up stamina without risking exhaustion.
Factor 2: Academic Commitments
A student pursuing O Levels, A Levels, or the International Baccalaureate in Singapore is likely to find all that hard work quite intensive. It really takes a huge effort along with some time. Unfortunately, your school commitments can sometimes rob time meant for busy SAT or ACT studies. So think about:
- Major school examinations or deadlines for project submissions clashing with test dates?
- Is it a lighter term for you to prepare for the test?
Recommendation to Skip: It is best to give it a pass if your academic schedule is very heavy. Having your mind on both school and an upcoming test hurts performance in both areas.
Best Time: Schedule your exam during one of those indefatigably slow times when there is reduced academic pressure- right after major school examinations (e.g., June or December breaks) or early in a semester that is generally light.
Factor 3: University Application Deadlines
The timing of the SAT or ACT should be matched with the deadlines of the universities where you want to apply. Most universities in America are very specific with their timelines:
- Early Action or Early Decision deadlines usually fall in November of the last year in secondary school (JC2 in Singapore), so the test scores would necessarily have to be in by October.
- Regular Decision deadlines typically come in January, so your scores should be in by December at the very latest.
Skip This Advice: If you are a second-year student in JC (JC1) and you’re not applying for an early application, consider skipping spring test dates unless you are trying to obtain a score to serve as a benchmark. Save your stamina for a much better attempt down the line.
Best Timing: Ideally, the first take should be done during sophomore year (Secondary 4) or, better yet, early in junior year (JC1). The reason for that is so one has the option to retake the exam, if necessary. For students moving into the final year, the August to October application period becomes crucial.
Factor 4: Personal Circumstances
There are also factors beyond academia that might affect one’s readiness for a test. Now judge your own situation:
- Are you healthy, physically and mentally, or do you face stress or illness?
- Are other activities, such as national competitions or leadership activity, happening with the test date?
- Are there other substantial family commitments, such as traveling or family celebrations, that might throw you off your game?
Recommendation to skip: If you feel out of sorts or your schedule is hearsay, delaying the exam is a fairly reasonable choice. There will be chances for you to show off your best time.
The Best Time: In this way, it is known that day when there are very few people in personal obligations that have a good chance to approach the exam as clearly and focused as possible.
Factor 5: Opportunities for Retesting
It is considered common for students to take either of the SAT or ACT tests multiple times because they tend to improve in each successive examination as a result of greatly heightened familiarity with the test structure and better techniques. The test months in Singapore are as follows:
- SAT: May, June, August, September, October, November, December
- ACT: June, July, September, October, December
Recommendation to Skip: If a date does not leave enough room for a retake before an application deadline, postponing and adopting a flexible schedule is advisable.
Optimal Timing: An initial test date must be chosen well in advance so that one or two possible retakes are available if needed, e.g., May or June in JC1 and then August or October.
More Instructions from The Princeton Review Singapore
Diagnostic Assessment: Unsure of your preparation? We provide free practice exams to help you develop a good idea of your baseline and how you should plan.
Selection SAT or ACT: Some students could benefit from either test more than the other. For example, science-savvy students might feel more at home on the ACT, while non-calculator-dependent students might find more familiar ground in the SAT. Our advisors could help make the right choice here.
Smart Scoring: Superscores by many universities means that they take the highest section scores from the different tests that a student has taken and combine them. A well-timed second attempt would be a plus on your application profile.
Conclusion
There is no test date that suits everybody; the best time depends on your situation. To skip a test date is not to concede but to choose a strategy to work to your advantage. Consider the kind of preparation you have gone through, undergraduate requirements, application time lines, personal health, and retake dates. If you still need more guidance, The Princeton Review Singapore will gladly offer custom assistance ranging from selecting the right test date to drawing up a preparation plan tailored to your needs.
Take the next step closer to your university goals with a free consultation with The Princeton Review Singapore that can help you achieve your academic targets.