Here’s a list of application tasks that college-bound high school students should pencil into their calendars for the spring semester of their junior year and the fall semester of their senior year:
The SAT and ACT: The spring of your junior year is an excellent time to take the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT. You’ll get your scores in plenty of time to use them in your college selection. If your scores match those of students who were recently admitted to your target schools, you can rest easy and turn your attention to other application tasks. If your scores fall below that mark, you’ve left yourself plenty of time to take the test a second time.
SAT Subject Tests: A number of selective schools either require or encourage applicants to submit scores from 2 or 3 SAT Subject Tests (formerly known as SAT IIs) in addition to their SAT or ACT score. Look into the requirements for your target schools now, so you’ll know what tests you need to take, and then visit the College Board website to find out what dates you can take the tests on. SAT Subject Tests are given on most, but not all, of the same test dates that the SAT Reasoning Test is given on. Not all Subject Tests are available on all test dates.
» Read more: Scheduling Your College Application Tasks