High School Seniors Score with New August SAT Test Date

Finally, the College Board has acted in a way that appears to be aimed at the best interest of the high school student! Until this year, the Board's last offering of the SAT I for a junior was on the first Saturday in June and the first offering for a senior was not until the first Saturday in October. That schedule meant that a senior would have the burden of needing a yet unattained score entering his/her senior year; a senior would have that burden weighing him/her down during class, sports, a job and even, if possible, a social life. This year, however, the Board is offering a full SAT I on August 26th.

For the many students who utilize the services of a tutor, this can be a perfect pathway to success. Since the last two SAT dates of junior year are the first Saturdays in May and June, one of those dates is typically utilized for the SAT I and the other for the SAT II’s. With this new scenario, the student can take the SAT I on one of those dates and as soon as he/she sees the score, if it is not satisfactory, can arrange a series of tutoring sessions aimed targeting the new August date. This new schedule enables the student to do the heavy work of test preparation during the summer when there are no other academic burdens. Even if the student is working or engaged in an internship, the tutoring sessions can be held during an evening or on the weekend.

Admittedly, this schedule is still not perfect for the student who struggles with any or all standardized tests. However, It is far more student friendly than the SAT schedule has ever been in the past. Bravo, College Board!