720-216-2222
For students entering their junior year of high school, the pressure is on. Junior year is a big year of college admissions testing, intense coursework, and research on potential colleges. So while juniors should be focusing on getting a job and doing community service during the summer, they should also be making a plan for ACT/SAT prep and how that will fit in with their overall plan for the coming year.
Does It Matter Which Test?
Many students and their parents are curious about whether the SAT or ACT is the right test to take. Here’s the EA take:
- Every college accepts both tests, and most high school students pick just one.
- This year, the state of Colorado changed the test they give to juniors from the ACT to the SAT. (The change will go into effect next year). This decision was motivated by money, plain and simple. It is not a sign that the SAT is now preferred by Colorado schools, and it doesn’t mean the SAT is required for all students (parents still have the option to opt out for their student). That said, many more Colorado students will now be taking the SAT because it will be offered for free by the state each April.
- We recommend taking the ACT or SAT on a case-by-case basis. Many students will have an easier time improving their score on the ACT because the SAT math section is quite a bit more difficult, so we usually recommend the ACT. But individual aptitudes and preferences vary, and we always take those into account when recommending one test over the other.
Use the Summer to Prepare
The school year gets crazy very quickly, so we recommend doing ACT or SAT prep during the summer when possible. For students taking the ACT in September or October, the July ACT prep course is a great option. We also have small group or private tutoring for SAT and ACT prep.
If a student has a specific academic weakness, we might also recommend summer tutoring in that subject in order to prepare both for the upcoming school year and for college admissions tests.
When Should Juniors Take the ACT/SAT?
Some students and parents are in a rush to get testing out of the way, while others want to postpone because they think it will give them more time to prepare. But we can offer advice on timing that is a little more specific: it depends on what math class the student will be taking junior year. If enrolling in Pre-Calc or above, take the test in September or October (and think about registering for a prep class this summer—see above). If going into Algebra 2 or below, take the test in February.
If February is absolutely not an option, the test is also offered in April, but we really recommend going with an earlier date in case a retake is needed.
Have more questions about how high school juniors should be spending their summer vacations or about when to prepare or register for the ACT or SAT? Contact us at info@eliteacademics.com or 720-216-2222.
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Thanks for tuning in to the EA Guide to Summer Vacation! Keep following the blog for additional tips and the latest information on college admissions, test prep, and academic tutoring.