Dates to Keep in Mind

It's always a good idea to know where ACT and SAT testing might impact your fall cross country schedule. Here are the potential dates of conflict for cross country:

ACT Test Dates

September 12

October 24

December 12 (Foot Locker Nationals)


SAT Test Dates

October 3

November 7 (Obviously a big conflict in Arizona, though some states are done by this point)

December 5 (Nike Cross Nationals, USATF Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships--in Albuquerque this year)

Danna Swanson, author of the Run for College Workbook adds her advice:

Don't let ACT and SAT dates conflict with your Cross Country schedule, you can do both!

So, you scheduled your ACT date to only find out that your team qualified for Nike Cross Nationals on the same day. No worries! Why? Because most colleges and universities will super score your scores. What does that mean? It means that the college will look at your best score in each category: Math, English, Science, and Reading. Then average it together in one composite super score. In my workbook, I recommend taking the test as many times as possible. Studying one subject more than the other in order to continue to increase your score in each subject. It is possible, the difference between a 27 on your ACT and a 28 could mean an extra $5000.00 which is $20,000 over the course of your 4 year college!

So don't worry! ACT/SAT offer six total test dates for ACT and twelve for SAT between September and August of the school year. If there is a conflict with Cross Country meets, then sign up for the next one! I suggest you start your junior year and take every one! Make sure you stay organized and make down all your test dates.