SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

If you are in your junior year, you’ve probably been told a dozen times that this is the most important year of high school. One reason is because this is the year you will take the SAT – maybe once, or maybe a few times. And as you know, standardized test scores are an important component of your college application.

Even if you plan to take the SAT only once this year, it’s important to be aware of your testing date options. You’ll want to have plenty of advance notice, whether your school has a set day to administer the SAT or you will registering for it on your own.

And remember that in spring of 2024, all SAT tests will be administered digitally, a brand new format that you’ll need to set up for in advance.

So let’s start preparing!

What Are the SAT Test Dates for 2023-2024?

Each year, College Board announces the dates for upcoming SAT exams, including registration deadlines. You must register for the date you want before that deadline to ensure a spot and avoid any late fees.

The table below provides the dates for SAT registration and testing for 2023 and 2024. Please note that the 2024 dates are for the new digital SAT. When the new digital SAT format begins, the original paper and pencil version will no longer be available.

Data provided by College Board

How to Choose the Best SAT Test Dates for You

At first glance, the date of your SAT may not seem important. However, you should consider a number of factors when choosing the date to take this standardized test.

First, application deadlines and early action/decision dates are important to know. If you are a senior counting on taking the SAT one more time before applying to college, you need to make sure you’ll have the test results before your college application deadline. Or, if you’re a junior planning ahead for an early decision application, you’ll need to also plan ahead for the date of your last SAT exam. You’ll want to have the best scores to present in an early application.

Second, consider how many times you plan to take the SAT. If you know you’ll want to take it more than once, or you even think you might, you’ll need to factor that into the dates you choose. Experts advise that you need time between exams to study what you didn’t know and brush up on content before retaking the exam.

Third, your study plans and how much time they will take will help you pick your dates. At Prep Scholar, we recommend 40 hours of study for our online program. Depending on how you are preparing – working one-on-one with a tutor or working your way through a study guide – it’s best to create a timeline and then choose your SAT testing date as close to its completion as possible.

Fourth, think about your schedule for the year when choosing your SAT date. Will one semester allow you a little more time to study than the other? Are there any special events that will conflict with a testing date? Are you an athlete who will have trouble focusing if you take the test during your season? Look at the big picture of the year in front of you and choose a test date that will allow you to focus properly on the SAT.

Fifth, take a look at your schedule for the week of the SAT date you are considering. Make sure it isn’t a week that will be stressful, such as midterm or final exam week. If you’ll be returning from Spring Break, for example, will you be a better test taker or a weaker one? Check with your family to make sure a big event isn’t scheduled for the same week.

Finally, if your school has a scheduled SAT date, be sure to note it. You won’t be able to do anything about that date, but can you certainly plan ahead.

Once you’ve given consideration to the above factors, you’ll have a better idea of the best date for you to take the SAT. Let’s look at the ways you can be prepared ahead for the SAT exam.

Strategy for Prepping for Your SAT Date

It’s always good to have a strategy! Start by choosing the best SAT date based on the tips above. The key is to leave enough time to complete all the preparation steps. Once you’ve done that, you’ll go into your exam with much more confidence, ready to do your best.

I recommend taking a minimum of two practice tests as part of your SAT prep. If you can take more, you’ll increase your chances of earning a higher score, but only if you identify your weaknesses and study targeted content to improve. Repeatedly taking tests without learning from your mistakes is really just a waste of time. Working with a tutor will help you focus on areas of improvement to make the most of your time and get you the greatest gains.

If you are taking the SAT in spring, 2024, you will be taking the digital version. This requires you to set up the Bluebook Testing App in advance. Be sure to download the app, fill out the required fields for registration, and ensure you get confirmation that College Board has everything it needs for the big day.

This will also give you a chance to familiarize yourself with the program and become comfortable with it. It’s a great idea to explore all the resources available to you through the Bluetooth app, including practice questions and the online calculator. Make yourself as comfortable as possible with the program so you don’t waste time on test day trying to figure out how to navigate.

If at all possible, clear your schedule for the week of the test. Test dates are nearly always on Saturdays (and start early in the morning!), so don’t plan a late night on Friday. Each night the week before the exam, try to get to bed at a decent time, so you are well rested come Saturday. Try to avoid stressors that week. You want to enter the exam feeling your best, so plan an easy week leading up to it.

On the morning of the exam, give yourself plenty of time to wake up and eat a healthy breakfast. Protein is especially important, and brain-healthy foods that give you energy, versus drag you down, are crucial for this day. Eggs, fruit, and fiber are all good ideas to keep you focused throughout the test.

As you can see, choosing a date isn’t as easy as just selecting one and rolling with it. You should put some serious thought and consideration into this step. It may seem minor, but in the interest of giving yourself every chance to do your best, it helps to think ahead.

What’s Next?

Visit College Board to register for your SAT exam. Once you’ve selected your date, visit Prep Scholar for all of your support options, including online and one-on-one tutoring and test prep. You can also find resources on how to study for the SAT.