Nothing excites us more than the beginning of the school year, and we’re hard at work preparing. In this installment, we want to share the first thing every parent should know about the SAT & ACT:
What’s the best first test date for 11th graders to target?
Without hesitation, we recommend the December test—and here’s why:
1) Avoid the May and June Pile-Up 📚
Late spring test dates collide with APs, final exams, and major projects. Students often plan to peak in May or June but get derailed by competing demands. If December reveals they’re still a work in progress, the early spring offers a less pressured window for improvement.
2) It Provides Insurance🛡️
Most students aim to finish testing by the end of junior year. But the typical first attempt—March or May—comes with risks: illness, injury, burnout, or just a rough testing day. Starting in December gives students a less stressful experience and more breathing room later.
3) Brains Are Still Growing 🧠
Why not start even earlier? Because at 16, students are still developing—cognitively and emotionally. Just six months can dramatically improve their grasp of the material, their time management, and their test-day stamina.
4) Leaves Room for What Matters 🎯
Test prep during sophomore year is a red herring. That time is better spent building a resume through research, internships, passion projects, or leadership roles. There’s no evidence that starting test prep in 10th grade improves final outcomes—and finishing too early often means leaving points on the table.
(By the way, our college advisors can help students identify and pursue the kind of passion projects that actually make a difference.)
Bottom line: For most students, December is the smartest first test date—it strikes the right balance of readiness, flexibility, and focus. We recommend beginning prep before junior year, so students have adequate time to prepare.
As always, we’re here to help families make smart, low-stress decisions about testing and college planning.
