When to Start Preparing for the SAT and ACT

Scheduling is usually the largest factor students consider when choosing the right test date. For example, if youre in the school play that has 2 hour rehearsals 5 days a week and several weekends of performances, you probably want to wait until its over to start your prep. But just because your last show is in October doesn’t mean you’ll be ready to test in November. As a general rule, Compass recommends 3–4 months of regular preparation for a first attempt at an ACT or SAT test and 4–6 weeks of regular preparation for APs and SAT Subject Tests. And all our preparation plans start with a practice test prior to that. Reference our Best Dates for Juniors and Best Dates for Seniors articles to see our recommendations for when you should take the test, and contact one of our directors to discuss your test preparation plans. Drop down each target test date to see the most ideal timeline leading up to it. Click here to see the calendar of test dates. February ACT The February ACT usually takes place on the first or second Saturday of the month.   Initial Diagnostic Test: the previous September or earlier Get Your Materials: early October  Ã‚   Begin Lessons: mid to late October March SAT The March SAT usually occurs on the first or second Saturday of the month. **Note: there are no Subject Tests offered in March. Initial Diagnostic Test: the previous October or earlier Get Your Materials: early November   Begin Lessons: mid to late November April ACT The April ACT is usually on the first or second Saturday of the month.   Initial Diagnostic Test: the previous November or earlier Get Your Materials: early December   Begin Lessons: mid to late December May SAT, Subject Tests, and AP Exams The May SAT usually takes place on the first Saturday of the month. Initial Diagnostic Test: the previous December or earlier Get Your Materials: early January Begin Lessons: mid to late January The May Subject Tests are held on the same date as the May SAT. You can take up to three Subject Tests on the same date. Initial Diagnostic Test: February or earlier Get Your Materials: early March Begin Lessons: mid to late March AP exams take place during the first two weeks of May. Day of the week and time of day for each exam vary by year. **Note: The College Board has not released any official full-length practice tests for the AP exams, but Compass has sample questions for most tests. Get Your Materials: early March Begin Lessons: mid to late March June ACT, SAT, and Subject Tests The June ACT usually takes place on the second Saturday of the month. Initial Diagnostic Test: January or earlier Get Your Materials: early February  Ã‚   Begin Lessons: mid to late February The June SAT is usually the first Saturday of the month. Initial Diagnostic Test: January or earlier Get Your Materials: early February   Begin Lessons: mid to late February The June Subject Tests are held on the same date as the June SAT. You can take up to three Subject Tests on the same date. Initial Diagnostic Test: March or earlier Get Your Materials: early April   Begin Lessons: mid-April July ACT The July ACT usually occurs on the second or third Saturday of the month. **Note: the July ACT is not offered in New York. Initial Diagnostic Test: February or earlier Get Your Materials: early March   Begin Lessons: mid-March to early April August SAT and Subject Tests The August SAT usually takes place on the last or second to last Saturday of the month. Initial Diagnostic Test: March or earlier Get Your Materials: early April   Begin Lessons: late April to mid-May The August Subject Tests are held on the same date as the August SAT. You can take up to three Subject Tests on the same date. Initial Diagnostic Test: May or earlier Get Your Materials: late June   Begin Lessons: early to mid-July September ACT The September ACT usually occurs on the second Saturday of the month. Initial Diagnostic Test: April or earlier Get Your Materials: early May   Begin Lessons: mid to late May October ACT, SAT, and Subject Tests The October ACT is usually the last or second to last Saturday of the month. Initial Diagnostic Test: May or earlier Get Your Materials: early June  Ã‚   Begin Lessons: mid-June to early July The October SAT usually occurs on the first Saturday of the month. Initial Diagnostic Test: May or earlier Get Your Materials: early June   Begin Lessons: mid to late June The October Subject Tests are held on the same date as the October SAT. You can take up to three Subject Tests on the same date. Initial Diagnostic Test: July or earlier Get Your Materials: early August   Begin Lessons: mid-August November SAT and Subject Tests The November SAT usually takes place on the first Saturday of the month. Initial Diagnostic Test: June or earlier Get Your Materials: early July   Begin Lessons: mid to late July The November Subject Tests are held on the same date as the November SAT. You can take up to three Subject Tests on the same date. Initial Diagnostic Test: August or earlier Get Your Materials: early September   Begin Lessons: mid-September December ACT, SAT, and Subject Tests The December ACT usually occurs on the second Saturday of the month. Initial Diagnostic Test: July or earlier Get Your Materials: early August  Ã‚   Begin Lessons: mid to late August The December SAT is usually the first Saturday of the month. Initial Diagnostic Test: July or earlier Get Your Materials: early August  Ã‚   Begin Lessons: mid to late August The December Subject Tests are held on the same date as the December SAT. You can take up to three Subject Tests on the same date. Initial Diagnostic Test: September or earlier Get Your Materials: early October Begin Lessons: mid-October