What You Should Do Before SAT Registration

What You Should Do Before SAT Registration

It's time for SAT registration! If you are planning on taking the SAT exam this year you can visit the SAT website to register, choose your testing date, select a testing center, and learn about testing day guidelines. If you haven't spent time learning about the SAT you may be risking a mistake that can jeopardize your score. Don't take that chance! Begin early, prepare carefully, and learn everything you can about the exam.

Beginning your preparation for the SAT doesn't need to be overwhelming. Taking the time now to do your research and plan your preparation will pay off in the long run. There are five easy steps to follow before SAT registration:

1. Check your calendar The SAT is offered on seven different testing dates each school year. The testing dates for 2013-2014 are

  
• October 5, 2013
• November 2, 2013
• December 7, 2013
• January 25, 2014
• March 8, 2014
• May 3, 2014
• June 7, 2014

Before you choose your testing date take the time to review your calendar. Evaluate which testing date is best for you by considering your family, school, and extracurricular schedules. For example, if you are committed to an athletic team, school club, or musical ensemble during the winter months it may be beneficial to wait to take the SAT exam until one of the spring testing dates. You should also determine if this year's coursework will have an impact on your overall knowledge and skills. Will your courses this year better prepare you for the SAT? You may want to wait until these courses are complete before you take the exam.

2. Find your testing center There are hundreds of testing centers across the country. Before you register for the SAT exam spend time determining which testing center is best for you. Consult an area map for the testing centers that are closest to you and which testing center is the most convenient. Many students choose to stay at their own high school for the SAT exam, if possible, because of the familiarity of the campus.

3. Know what is allowed The SAT has strict limitations regarding what is allowed in testing centers and what specific items and behaviors are prohibited. Don't be caught off guard and risk both your careful preparation and your score. The SAT website details the specific requirements for all students taking the test and what is allowed on exam day.

 
4. Start your preparation early Careful preparation for the SAT exam requires time. Waiting until the last minute to begin preparing will not serve you well on exam day. Several months before the exam spend time with your calendar determining when you can study and how you can work devoted study sessions into your weekly schedule. 

5. Utilize all your resources The SAT website has plenty of resources available to students including study guides and practice tests. Many students find success by starting their preparation with a practice test. This is a great way to find out which areas of the exam will require the most preparation. The professional tutors at Huntington Learning Centers are an excellent resource as well. Before any tutoring begins you will be assessed to determine your strengths and your weaknesses. These assessment results will be re-evaluated as the tutoring sessions progress to adapt the individualized plan to meet your specific needs.

Huntington Learning Centers has developed a comprehensive tutoring curriculum designed to prepare students for the SAT exam. Our professional tutors are specially trained to develop a customized learning plan that will meet your individual needs.