When Should I Take The ACT? New Summer Test Date Added In July 2018

High school students planning ahead for next year's college applications might want to circle July in their calendars. The makers of the ACT announced Tuesday that they're adding an extra test date starting in July 2018 — a departure from their tradition of only giving the entrance exam during the school year, according to a news release.

Students will now have seven chances each year to take the ACT.

"Students, educators and colleges have told us they would like to see an extra test date prior to early admission and application deadlines, and we have listened," ACT Chief Commercial Officer Suzana Delanghe said in the release. "This additional test date will allow students to focus on their coursework while they are in school and prepare for the ACT test during the summer."

The ACT is one of the two major standardized exams students typically take to demonstrate their readiness for college. Covering English, math, writing and science, it constantly competes with the College Board's SAT for popularity among school administrators and exam-takers. As such, both tests have undergone changes in recent years to attract students, with the SAT debuting an entirely revamped test in March 2016 and the ACT marketing itself to state school systems as a way to satisfy federal accountability mandates.

The relaunch of the SAT served in part to pump up participation in the ACT, which saw 2.1 million test-takers last year. But even Tuesday's news comes amid a test-optional movement in higher education that's seen hundreds of institutions distance themselves from admissions based on test scores in favor of holistic reviews.

For students who still plan to take the SAT and/or ACT, it might be helpful to make a schedule. PrepScholar suggested on its website to begin studying for the exams at least a year before college application deadlines. You should try to plan to take the tests when your extracurricular activities are at a minimum — that way you can study the recommended 40 hours before taking the test.

"Keep in mind that there is no right answer" for deciding when to take the ACT or SAT, Higher Scores Test Prep wrote on its site. There's only the answer that fits your personal situation.

"As the wise knight from 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' advised Indy: Choose wisely," Higher Scores added.