The stress of college admissions can have students rushing left and right to find any advantage.

Retaking the SAT six times, switching between different tutors, and signing up for every test possible...

This is far from the best approach.

Taking the test over and over is not a magic solution.

In fact, it can do more harm than good by:

• Adding unnecessary stress and anxiety.

• Taking time away from other important parts of the application.

• Burning students out before the actual test.

So what’s a better approach?

Here’s what it really comes down to:

1. Consistent, focused prep for 3-6 months.

2. Strategic timing of the exam.

Your child is already juggling AP classes, extracurriculars, maybe even a part-time job or a leadership role.

The last thing they need is the added pressure of multiple high-stakes tests without a clear game plan. 

That’s a recipe for burnout and underperformance, the opposite of a competitive edge.

Here’s what I recommend instead:

1. Take their practice runs early in high school when their schedule has room for it.

2. Get the SAT or ACT done in Junior year—no ifs, ands, or buts.

3. Spend 3-6 months preparing, then take the exam when they’re ready.

This approach will help your child perform at their best.

It also saves them from the nightmare of retaking the test during senior year.

If you remember just one thing from this email, let it be this:

Senior year is NOT the year to stress over test scores. 

It’s the year when students fine-tune their applications, revise their essays, and hit “submit” with confidence.

And to help you and your child navigate this journey, I’ve put together my Junior Year Timeline for 2024-2025.

It lays out the best times to take the SAT or ACT, along with everything they should focus on to build an excellent application.

If you want to avoid the stress of last-minute testing and get a clear plan for your child, just reply “timeline” to this email and I’ll send you the link.

Dr. Agnia Grigas
Founder - College Admissions Secrets
Author - ‘‘How to Win the Million Dollar College Admissions Game’’

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