Should my child take the SAT Early? SAT information for parents, by MAGE parents
Should my Child Take the SAT Before High School?
The SAT, includes math, reading, writing, language, and a number of subject tests. Usually, it is taken by high school students in the spring of their junior year or fall of senior year. Gifted students may consider sitting for the SAT prior to the typical schedule. Students who take the SAT early and score well, have opportunities to take summer college courses with academic peers and these scores can be used to advocate for acceleration and other services. While high school juniors and seniors are registered for the SAT through their school, younger students are a special circumstance with different rules for registering with the college board.
This is the direct link for younger students
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/special-circumstances/younger-students
There’s a wealth of information at CollegeBoard.org regarding the exam contents, test options, the process for taking it, practice tests, and much more.
A few pointers from the representative we spoke with:
If the student is under 13, paper registration is required. The easiest way to do this is to call the college board at 888-728-4357 and tell them you are not a counselor but need to request a paper registration packet.
If your child is 13 or older, an online account can be opened.
The student must have a government-issued picture ID: a current valid passport or you can obtain a Picture ID at the RMV. (A school ID is okay as long as it includes a photo of the student.)
Dates for registering:
Nov. 2 for December’s test
Feb 9 for March
April 6 for May
May 3 for June
These are the dates when the registration materials must be postmarked.
Additional information can be found at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/datesdeadlines
Some students take the SAT as part of a talent search program. In this case, you will need to submit other documentation in addition to your registration. If you do not want the scores sent to your child’s school, don’t add any school code. You can use the code for homeschoolers and/or the talent search. For details, visit the program’s website:
Center for Talented Youth (Johns Hopkins University)
Duke Talent Identification Program (Duke University)
Iowa Talent Search (University of Iowa)
Midwest Academic Talent Search (Northwestern University)
Center for Bright Kids (Western Academic Talent Search)
If you’re in the eighth grade or below on test day, and you’re testing for Talent Search purposes, you can present a Talent Search Program ID Form instead of a photo ID. If you have questions, call 866-756-7346.
Information provided by Carol Lach, Magdi Sobeih, Katharina Elbert and Audrey Winkler
