When should you take the SAT or ACT?
You have nearly 3,700 college options. Use College Search to make a list of the schools you're interested in.
Find nearly $6 billion in scholarships with our Scholarship Search tool and opt in to College Board Opportunity Scholarships for a chance to earn up to $40,000.
With your free, personalized SAT study plan on Khan Academy®, there's no need to pay for test prep.
Here are important steps you should take to get started on your journey to college and checklists to help you stay on track.
College Planning Checklists
Sign up for a College Board account to stay up to date on all our free resources and programs to support you on your path to college.
Plan and Prepare for College
"I was surprised the first time I increased [my score] 200 points [on a practice test]—so I realized the more work I could put in, the more I would get out of it."
Students who practiced 6–8 hours with Khan Academy saw their scores go up an average of 90 points from the PSAT/NMSQT to the SAT.
College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success. We're here to support you!
Students typically take their first SAT in the spring of their junior year and retake it in the fall of their senior year. Even if you've already taken or are planning to take the ACT®, we recommend also trying the SAT. Many students take it twice so they can achieve the best score. Be sure to plan ahead, especially if you're planning to apply early decision.