3 Key Questions to Determine When to Take Standardized Tests

Most families don’t realize that timing should be a consideration when taking standardized tests, and Lauren Gaggioli of HigherScoresTestPrep.com shares 3 main criteria she uses to determine whether students should take their first test in the fall or the spring.

 

Question #1: What level math is your student in?

 

• If your student is enrolled in PreCal, Calculus, or Stats, take the ACT in the fall.

 

• If your student is enrolled in Algebra 1, Algebra 2, or Geometry, take the ACT in the spring.

 

Question #2: When is your student most busy?

 

• If your student is involved in winter or spring sports, activities, or testing (AP/IB), take the ACT in the fall.

 

• If your student is involved in fall sports or activities, take the ACT in the spring.

 

Question #3: When does your student have the time to take back-to-back test dates?

 

• This question dovetails with Q2, but I ask it because I recommend that all students take 2 back-to-back test dates.

 

• This strategy works best when the 2 test dates are close to one another. The October ACT and December ACT work really nicely together.

 

To learn more about why I recommend back-to-back test dates, watch the short video at higherscorestestprep.com/mistakes.