5 Ways That Seniors Benefit From the Early Fall SAT or ACT

(And how Sylvan’s Test Prep can help!)

September and October are really popular months for seniors to take the SAT or ACT.

Wondering whether your teen should sign up? There are definite advantages to taking this big test one last time:

1. Typically, scores go up when students take the SAT or ACT for the second time. Your teen already took the test once? Good news. Trends suggest that scores usually go up in the second sitting. Of course, how much the scores go up can vary widely, depending on how much your son or daughter prepares.

2. There’s still time to make an awesome impression with most colleges—even the top universities. Generally, SAT scores are sent to colleges 3-4 weeks after the exam. ACT scores come out 3-8 weeks after the exam. So, taking the fall tests gives you just enough time to get those scores back in time for most applications!

Tip: Your teen should always check on their desired schools’ websites to find out when their admission deadlines are!

3. Many colleges “superscore,” accepting the highest scores from different sections of the test from different sittings. If your teen takes the SAT or ACT more than once, these colleges don’t accept the best overall score from just one of the tests.

Instead, they take the highest section scores from across the tests. They put those highest section scores together to create a superscore.

This means it’s worth taking the test again to see if your teen can improve on certain sections.

4. Your teen has time to build skills and momentum for the fall tests over the summer. They'll have more complete knowledge, having just finished their junior year. And, skills are still fresh from the year!

Plus, over the summer, your teen can master test-taking strategies and work on subjects that need more attention at their own pace. During the school year, students have to keep up with the class, whether they get something or not. In the summer, there is time to build skills and momentum before the fall tests!

5. Good SAT or ACT scores can balance out a student's lower GPA. If your child has a lower GPA than is typically accepted for a school of choice, improving SAT/ACT scores and sending those higher scores can help. Plus, many colleges superscore and will count your teen’s highest section scores across multiple test dates.

So, testing in the fall gives your teen another chance to score well!

What if your teen hasn’t taken the SAT or ACT yet?

If your teen is applying to a college that requires it, this may be the last chance to take it and meet the admissions deadlines. Don’t miss out!

Sure, your teen can try to prepare for this monster test on his or her own, but ...

Your teen is going to have to work A LOT harder to figure things out alone.

And life with a senior is like living with a revolving door. B-U-S-Y!

Is your son or daughter really going to set enough time aside to make a difference in scores?

Before you know it, you’ll be turning into the dreaded drill sergeant, barking at your teen to study.

This is NOT how you want to start your senior’s final year!

There’s a better way to improve test scores: Sylvan SAT or ACT Prep

With Sylvan’s SAT or ACT Prep, you’ll get a program that’s completely tailored to your teen’s:

1. College/university aspirations
2. Unique needs
3. Budget

(Your teen doesn’t fit into a cookie cutter mold. His or her test prep shouldn’t either!)

Plus, we supplement face-to-face learning with online learning, so your teen can prepare between activities.

And as a Sylvan family, you’re welcome to communicate with our center directors as often as you want. You can stay in the loop on your teen’s progress or get advice on other aspects of college preparation.

(It’s like having your own college guidance counselor.)