SAT and ACT Test Schedule

One of the biggest questions parents have about test prep is what test their student should take and when to begin to prepare for it.

To optimize scores, students should prepare for and take either the SAT or ACT, not both. Every college in America now accepts both tests.

Most students take the SAT or ACT in the spring of their junior year, and if necessary, in the fall of their senior year.

Here are a few important differences between the ACT and SAT:

ACT vs. SAT

ACTSAT_Chart_v2
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SAT Schedule

SAT Test DateIdeal Time to Start Prep
March 14, 2020November/December 2019
May 2, 2020January/February 2020
June 6, 2020February/March 2020
August 29, 2020May/June 2020
October 3, 2020June/July 2020
November 7, 2020July/August 2020
December 5, 2020August/September 2020
March 13, 2021November/December 2020
May 8, 2021January/February 2021
June 5, 2021February/March 2021

Register for the SAT here.

ACT Schedule

ACT Test DateIdeal Time to Start Prep
April 4, 2020December/January 2019/20
June 13, 2020February/March 2020
July 18, 2020March/April 2020
September 12, 2020May/June 2020
October 24, 2020June/July 2020
December 12, 2020August/September 2020
February 6, 2021October/November 2020
April 17, 2021December/January 2020/21
June 12, 2021February/March 2021
July 17, 2021March/April 2021

Register for the ACT here.