By Amar Singh, The Founder & Head Trainer of Global Course
Many students and parents ask my about the right time to take the SAT. I always recommend to them that the SAT should be taken the same year as the student passes his 10th grade. We know that the validity of the SAT score is 5 years and the applications for UG Courses are sent while the student is in the 12th grade. There are various advantages of appearing in the SAT while the student is in the 11th grade. I will describe in detail.
All the mathematics chapters included in the SAT are almost the same as what the candidates study in the 9th and the 10th grades irrespective of the countries or boards. Hence, it makes a lot of senses to prepare and sit for the test while all the mathematics concepts are still fresh in their minds. SAT is conducted seven times a year across the world. Therefore, if a student starts preparing for the SAT immediately after the 10th board examinations, he will be able to utilize the break between the exams. and the declaration of the result.
Therefore, at Global Course, we conduct many intensive and regular SAT courses during June – December every so that the students can comfortably take their SAT in October, November or December of the same year. Thus, if a candidate wants to make the second attempt to improve his scores, he can do so in March the following year.
Further, the school curricula in the 11th grade are not as demanding as in the 12th grade. Therefore, if a student makes his first attempt, and the second attempt if he desires, while he is in the 11th grade, he will be able to balance his SAT Prep and other academic activities with ease. Otherwise, it will become very difficult for him to balance the rigors of the 12th grade and the SAT Prep simultaneously.
Also, many students ask me how many attempts they should make at the SAT. My take on this question is that one should make only one attempt. However, the second attempt should be kept as a back up plan, i.e. if something goes wrong in the first attempt. It should be more of a psychological support. But, one should not make more the two attempts.
Another advantage of sitting for the SAT immediately after you enter the 11th grade is that you will have more time if you plan to take it twice or the third time. However, one should not waste the attempts. If you feel that you can improve the scores in the second or the third attempt, take minimum two months for it, i.e. if you first sit for the test in August, then you should make the next attempt in November or December of the same year, not earlier. At Global Course, we conduct remedial courses for 6 – 8 weeks and are able to improve the scores by 50 – 100 in most of the cases.
In short, take a break after your 10th board exams as you have worked hard for them. Thereafter, start your SAT Prep and make the first attempt at it in August of the same year. You will get the result by the mid-September. Now, if you want to improve your scores, retake the SAT in December of the same year. Take as many full mock tests as possible. At Global Course, our students take minimum 10 full timed mock tests. We evaluate those tests, discuss the doubts in detail and take the required remedial measures. It works. Thus, our students have scored up to 1560/ 1600 in the SAT in 2024. And, following a right approach, anyone can do that. Good luck!
