If you asked my private tutoring students to describe me, one of the first things they’d say is that I’m a HUGE fan of strategizing and planning! I’ve worked in the elite test prep field for fifteen years now, and one of my core philosophies is that if you set aside time for big-picture thinking at the beginning of a large project—like the project of applying to colleges—you make things 100x easier on yourself! That’s why I always encourage my clients use one crucial tool from the get-go: the Testing Timeline.
Once you grasp why you need a Testing Timeline for taking the Digital SAT and Enhanced ACT—and familiarize yourself with the important SAT and ACT Testing Timeline mistakes to avoid—HOW do you actually go about making a Testing Timeline for yourself?
Of course, you can always call upon my decade and a half’s worth of expertise in the test prep field, and I’ll craft a specific-to-you timeline that takes YOUR strengths, needs, and schedule into account! But if one-on-one assistance isn’t a fit for you right now, you can still use this very blog post to DIY your own Testing Timeline.
Below, I outline the four most common “buckets” that high schoolers find themselves in timing-wise, and provide the best study and test schedule for each. These timelines will help you map out when to begin YOUR prep, when you should take your first SAT or ACT, and which additional back-up dates you should set aside in the (not uncommon) event that you need to take the test more than once.
In other words: once you’re done reading this post, you’ll know WHAT you need to do to achieve your target score, and approximately WHEN you need to do it. If you want to compare the four scenarios in a more brass-tacks way (or if you’re just a visual learner), I’m also offering you a PDF infographic available for free download!:
Video version of this article:
1. The Average SAT and ACT Testing Schedule
STEP 1) CHOOSE BETWEEN THE SAT AND THE ACT
Timing: Summer before Junior year through October of Junior year at the latest.
STEP 2) SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST SAT OR ACT
Timing: Select March for your first attempt at the SAT. If you’re an ACT-taker, February or April are ideal first attempts.
STEP 3) SCHEDULE YOUR SAT OR ACT PREP
Timing: If you only have a little ways to improve to reach your target score (<150 points on the Digital SAT or <4 points on the ACT), you should be fine with three solid months of prep leading up to your first test date. If you have more improvement to make, consider giving yourself Junior Fall to prep slowly but surely, so that you’re not cramming (which is both less effective and more stressful!).
STEP 4) SCHEDULE BACKUP TEST DATES
Timing: For both the ACT and the SAT, you’ve got many possible backup test dates: April, June, July, September, or October for the ACT, and May, June, August, September (new as of 2025!), October, or November for the SAT. Treat the December test date as a last resort for both the SAT and ACT, depending on whether the colleges you’re applying to would even allow a test date that late.
2. SAT and ACT Timelines for the Early-Bird Junior
If you’re an ahead-of-the-game junior who’s already scoring near your target score in your practice tests—or, alternately, if you tend to have a very free Fall schedule but are busier during the Spring—this Testing Timeline is for you.
STEP 1) CHOOSE BETWEEN THE SAT AND THE ACT
Timing: Summer before Junior year.
STEP 2) SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST SAT OR ACT
Timing: Register for the December SAT or ACT test date.
STEP 3) SCHEDULE YOUR SAT OR ACT PREP
Timing: Since your goal is to get as much done as possible before you get busy with Spring activities, you’ll need to spend your Fall semester (September through December) prepping.
STEP 4) SCHEDULE BACKUP TEST DATES
Timing: For the ACT, you could have many possible backup test dates: February, April, June, July, September, or October. For the SAT, you have even more options: March, May, June, August, September, October, November. Treat the December of Senior year test date as a last resort for both the SAT and ACT—IF the colleges you’re applying to would even allow a test date that late.
3. ACT and SAT Timing for the Early Bird SOPHOMORE
If you’re a hotshot sophomore who’s already taking Pre-Calculus (or the equivalent) as your math class—AND you think you’ll have ZERO time for high-stakes testing in the Spring of your junior year—this Testing Timeline is just the ticket for you.
STEP 1) CHOOSE BETWEEN THE SAT AND THE ACT
Timing: Spring of Sophomore year.
STEP 2) SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST SAT OR ACT
Timing: Your first attempt at the SAT should take place the August or September before Junior year (or at the beginning of Junior year). If you’re an ACT-taker, July or September before/of Junior year are ideal first attempts.
STEP 3) SCHEDULE YOUR SAT OR ACT PREP
Timing: Since your goal is to be finished before your Spring activities start filling up your time, we need to get you done by the end of Fall! Thus, you will spend your Summer (June through August) prepping. This will likely be high-intensity test prep, taking place either once or twice a week, depending on how much you need to improve.
STEP 4) SCHEDULE BACKUP TEST DATES
Timing: For the ACT, you could have many possible backup test dates: September, October or December of Junior year. For the SAT, your options are: September, October, November and December of Junior year. If you STILL don’t get your target score by the end of Junior year Fall, you have all of the Spring test dates as a last resort.
4. SAT and ACT Gameplan for Extra Time Test-Takers
If you: have any diagnosed learning disabilities, have a slow-and-steady learning style, are a year behind the average progression in your math classes, or simply have a lot of points to go before you hit your target SAT or ACT scores, this Testing Timeline might be your perfect match.
STEP 1) CHOOSE BETWEEN THE SAT AND THE ACT
Timing: Summer before Junior year through October of Junior year at the latest.
STEP 2) SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST SAT OR ACT
Timing: Select March for your first attempt at the Digital SAT. If you’re an ACT-taker, February or April are ideal first attempts, though April might give you some much-needed additional prep time.
STEP 3) SCHEDULE YOUR SAT OR ACT PREP
Timing: Since you have a bigger score jump to make, or you’re someone who needs more time to really absorb new knowledge, it’s best to do consistent, low-intensity test prep. This means you should probably begin doing test prep work once a week (or a few sessions a month) starting towards the beginning of Junior year (like September or October).
STEP 4) SCHEDULE BACKUP TEST DATES
Timing: For the ACT, you could have many possible backup test dates: April, June, July, September, or October. For the SAT, you can choose between these months: May, June, August, September, October, November. If you still need another SAT or ACT test date, you might be able to use the December test sitting your senior year (if the colleges on your college list would accept it).
Conclusion
Today we’ve gone over the four rough Testing Timelines that I see the most often. That said, every student (and their schedule) is different! If you have special circumstances to consider—or just aren’t positive which one of these timelines is right for you—I can draw up a particular-to-you test timeline, guide you towards the best test for you, calculate your target scores, and create a winning study plan for you that will raise your score the most points in the least amount of time! Just book an Ace the Test: Game Plan™ session with me and you’ll have one less spinning plate to manage during the maelstrom of mid- and late high school!
And don’t forget: if you want a free PDF comparing each of these four timeline options, I’ve got you covered:
