Timelines to study for AP, PSAT, SAT

entomom
Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:22:02 +0000

My kids usually start prepping for APs after their spring break which is the last week in March.

Are you planning to take AP Chem next year? If so, I’d advise waiting to take the SAT II until spring 2011. If not, and you still want to take the SAT II in Chem, you will likely need to do some independent study, as your Honors class may not cover all you need to know for the test; check the CB website and look at a prep book to see what the test covers.

I think when you take the SAT really depends on when you have time to prep for it. For instance, my D2 has a lot going on between school work and ECs during the year, so she prepped over the summer. Because of that, she took the Oct sitting when everything was fresh. The good part about summer prepping was that it also helped with her jr PSAT. My D1 was different, she was able to study during the school year, so she prepped for about a month in Sept, took the PSAT, got results in Dec, prepped over winter break and took the Jan SAT sitting.

I think it’s a good idea to take for the first time in fall/winter of jr year and be able to take a second sitting in the spring if necessary. But exactly which months really depends on your individual situation.

For selective schools, my rule of thumb for each section or SAT II is generally: 700+ is good and 750+ is great.