Just for Juniors

• At school, sign up early to take the PSAT/NMSQT® in October. Get PSAT/NMSQT® tips and a free practice test.

Start Your College Search

• Start with you: Make lists of your abilities, preferences, and personal qualities. List things you may want to study and do in college.
• Jumpstart your college planning by reading about majors and careers.
• Use College Search to find colleges with the right characteristics.

Winter

Plan Your Spring Testing Schedule

• You can take either the SAT® Reasoning Test or up to three SAT® Subject Tests on one test day. Plan your testing schedule carefully if you want to take both types of SAT®. See the SAT® schedule of test dates and register online for the SAT®.
• Use the access code on your PSAT/NMSQT® score report to sign in to My College QuickStart™. With this personalized planning kit, you can prepare for the SAT® using a study plan based on your PSAT/NMSQT® results and explore lists of suggested colleges, majors, and careers.

Spring

Get Ready for the SAT®

• Visit the SAT® Preparation Center™ to take a free full-length official practice test and get a score and skills report. Be sure to sign up for The Official SAT® Question of the Day™ for daily practice.

Explore Colleges

• Start visiting local colleges: large, small, public, and private. Get a feel for what works for you. Develop a list of 15-20 colleges that interest you. Search for colleges and use My College List.

Prepare for AP® Exams

• Do well on AP® Exams and receive credit or placement at most colleges. Get AP® Exam preparation.

Plan Ahead for the Summer & Senior Year

• Review your senior year class schedule with your counselor. Challenge yourself with honors and AP® classes and stick with sequences you've begun, in the languages, for example. Read about how to select your courses.
• Plan summer activities early. Enrich yourself by volunteering, getting an interesting job or internship, or signing up for special summer learning programs.

Summer

Keep Your Momentum Up This Summer

• Visit colleges. Take campus tours and, at colleges you're serious about, schedule interviews with admissions counselors. Be sure to bring your campus visit checklist.
• Request applications from colleges to which you'll apply. Check important dates; some universities have early dates or rolling admissions. Consult the College Application Calendar and the Financial Aid Calendar for a basic idea of the applications timeline.