Chariot Learning
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Our Curriculum
    • Areas Chariot Learning Serves
  • Services
    • SAT & ACT Prep
    • Academic Coaching
    • Subject Tutoring
    • Strategic Reading Club
    • Proctored Practice Tests
    • GRE Prep
    • Roots2Words
  • Calendar
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
April 1, 2019 by Mike Bergin

The Case for the May SAT

The old paradigm dictated that juniors should try the SAT or ACT at the end of junior year, then prep and test again in senior year if needed. However, experience has revealed the many flaws in that approach. Modern high schoolers, particularly the most competitive and engaged students, find more value in taking the tests as early in junior year as makes sense based on their goals and extracurricular schedule.

May, you may have noticed, is not early in junior year.

Due to the abundant priorities and commitments May dumps on the collective 11th grade doorstep–everything from AP exams and SAT Subject Tests to prom and spring activities–this month is less than optimal for students looking for their best SAT scores. Then again, May does offer two big benefits:

1. Students who took Algebra 2 in 11th grade have learned more or all of what the SAT tests.
2. May will be better than June for many students taking the SAT in the spring.

Who, then, should consider sitting for the May SAT? We can narrow the pool down to 11th graders, as this date far exceeds the deadlines for most seniors. Sophomores who are academically advanced enough to test in the spring usually have APs to contend with and should look to the June SAT & ACT instead.

Not all juniors should go for the May SAT, however. This date is best suited to juniors not scheduled for AP exams.

So many 11th graders with access to Advanced Placement courses take full advantage of these rich programs, which turns the middle weeks of May into an absolute gauntlet of challenging, content-heavy standardized tests. Success on AP exams requires intense study in the weeks leading up to the exam, which leaves no time for SAT prep. For this reason, AP students should use the May SAT date for SAT Subject Tests instead. Students unburdened by AP commitments, on the other hand, would do well to get the SAT out of the way before final exams and the most important games of most spring sports seasons.

Optimally, teens taking the May SAT will have lots of time to prep leading up to the exam. However, even students juggling lots of extracurriculars might consider testing even on limited prep for a shot at reaching their target scores before the school year ends. Summer going into senior year can be that much sweeter when students know they’ve nailed down at least one essential aspect of their college applications. That potential benefit provides the best case for taking the SAT in May.

planning SAT test dates

Previous articleToo Many Questions About SAT Section 5Next article Are Dedicated Testing Watches Worthwhile?
Mike Bergin
Tens of thousands of students a year prep for the SAT & ACT through programs Mike Bergin created or organized. After more than 25 years of intensive experience in the education industry, he's done it all as a teacher, tutor, director, curriculum developer, blogger, podcaster, and best-selling author. Mike founded Chariot Learning in 2009 to deliver on the promise of what truly transformative individualized education can and should be.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Helping high schoolers with tests, school, and life is what Chariot Learning is all about. Let us know how we can help you!

Latest Posts

  • Conscripts Vs. Volunteers
  • Applying to the United States Naval Academy
  • Get Excited About Your Big Tests
  • Big Hairy Audacious Score Goals
  • Test Ready for Winter 2021
  • Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least: https://chariotlearning.com/thinking-about-what-matters/?platform=hootsuite&hs=HSCampaign
    by chariotlearning 3 days ago
    Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least: https://chariotlearning.com/thinking-about-what-matters/?platform=hootsuite&hs=HSCampaign
  • Believe you can and you
    by chariotlearning 5 days ago
    Believe you can and you're halfway there...
  • Hard work puts you where good luck can find you.
    by chariotlearning 7 days ago
    Hard work puts you where good luck can find you.
  • Always be awesome.
    by chariotlearning 1 week ago
    Always be awesome.
  • What are you working on in 2021?
    by chariotlearning 2 weeks ago
    What are you working on in 2021?
  • Let today be the start of something new. Happy New Year!
    by chariotlearning 2 weeks ago
    Let today be the start of something new. Happy New Year!
  • Dear future... I am ready.
    by chariotlearning 2 weeks ago
    Dear future... I am ready.
  • Believe there is good in the world... and be the good.
    by chariotlearning 3 weeks ago
    Believe there is good in the world... and be the good.
  • This holiday season, give yourself the gift of emotional agility :)
    by chariotlearning 4 weeks ago
    This holiday season, give yourself the gift of emotional agility :)
  • Goals... there
    by chariotlearning 4 weeks ago
    Goals... there's no telling what will happen when you act upon them.

Subscribe to Mike’s Podcast

Subscribe to Tests and the Rest

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER

College Road is your source for expert educational advice, test news, college admissions action steps, special offers, and more. Sign up now!

Upcoming Events

  1. Free Practice Online ACT (1/16/21)

    January 16 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  2. TI-83/84 Calculator Clinic for the SAT & ACT

    January 17 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
  3. TI-Nspire Calculator Clinic for the SAT & ACT

    January 17 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  4. Free Practice Online ACT (1/23/21)

    January 23 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  5. Advanced ACT Math Seminar

    January 24 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

View All Events

Testimonials

Working with Chariot Learning was the best preparation choice we could have made. Robert's test scores increased by nearly 50 percentile points. Plus he learned reading and writing skills that he was able to apply immediately in school. Thanks so much!

Bob & Sarah, Brighton parents

Read more testimonials...
© 2020 Chariot Learning, LLC. All rights reserved.