8.15 Break the tie!

Did you take a practice SAT and a practice ACT. Were the results close? Here's a tip on how to break the tie.Ask yourself: Which test fits best into my schedule?Go to the official websites of the companies that administer the tests. Make a list of the dates on which the SAT and ACT will be offered in the years in which you need to take the test.Are there test dates that conflict with your end-of-semester or IB exams? Cross out those dates, although you may not want to eliminate them just yet.Are there dates on which you need to take SAT Subject Tests that are offered only on those dates? For example, are you planning to take a language test including the listening component, which may only be offered in November? Be sure to save that date for that test, because you cannot take both the SAT and SAT Subject Tests on the same day.

What dates are left?

Does this list of dates suggest you would be better off studying for the SAT or ACT, based on the tests you personally need to take, and your individual school schedule?

Athena Advises

Wow! Does this exercise bring your remaining school years--or months--into focus? Most students find that what they have thought of as an endless vista of high school is a much shorter time than they had thought!Remember: Check the requirements of each college to which you plan to apply, to make sure you take the test or tests required by each of those schools!To recap, here's how to choose your test schedule:Check the requirements of each college to which you plan to apply.Take a practice SAT and a practice ACT.Create a test-taking schedule.We hope this has inspired you to move ahead! Good luck on your standardized tests! Dr. Marlena CorcoranFounder and CEOAuthor of Year by Year to College, on amazon.com, amazon.de and many national amazon sites