Celebrating the August 2025 SAT Score Releases & Staying the Course + New Vocab Quizzes
Dear MJTP Families,
As most score release dates do, yesterday’s score release brought a mix of excitement and reflection. Out of the 15–20 students I’ve been working with, nearly everyone saw improvement, with some raising their Reading & Writing scores by as much as 110 points! Overall, the average bump was about 50 points across all students in the Reading and Writing section. A few stayed the same, and a couple backtracked slightly—but that’s all part of the process. Remember, the SAT is a test of deception – it isn't your normal math or English test – and everyone’s experience is going to be different.
What matters most is the effort you’ve put in and the persistence you continue to show.
What Defines Our Success?
I often remind my students that a single test does not define you. There are many paths to success. To illustrate this, I'd like to share a quick anecdote with you:
Recently, my wife and I went out to dinner with the Director of Soccer at the academy where I teach. We have one of the largest high school soccer programs in the country. At dinner, he shared a story about a student-athlete who desperately wanted to attend Colgate. He wasn’t a standout soccer player, so instead of relying on his recruiting, he showed relentless determination: sending postcards to admissions officers, visiting campus, updating them on his progress regularly, and staying on their radar until he finally got accepted. His story is a reminder that persistence, creativity, and grit can matter just as much as test scores.
Student Highlights from the August Cohort
This week, I want to highlight a few students who gave me permission to share their stories:
Simon, a hardworking soccer athlete and theater performer, boosted his Reading & Writing score by 90 points through discipline and determination. Initially, Simon struggled, like most students, with the anxiety on the tough passage questions that would disrupt his ability to refocus. We practiced "clearing the mechanism" after each tough question, ensuring he gave each prompt its proper attention, then resetting his mind and emotions. His resilience and ability to self-regulate in the moment paid off for him.
These are just a few examples of the incredible effort I see daily. Whether you’re pursuing athletics, the arts, service, or academics, I’m proud of each one of you for the dedication you bring not only to the SAT but to your goals in life. It is the trials that make us stronger, and the SAT is no exception to this.
Looking Ahead
A quick reminder: the next SAT is coming up next weekend, September 13th. After that, we'll have the October 4th SAT. For those signed up, let’s keep the momentum going—you never know when the breakthrough will come. Some students don’t hit their stride until the fifth or sixth attempt, with jumps of 150+ points at once. Stick to your techniques, trust the process, and stay consistent.
These test dates and deadlines apply to all students—U.S. and international—taking the SAT:
| SAT Test Date* | Registration Deadline | Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation, and Late Registration** |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 23, 2025 | Aug. 8, 2025 | Aug. 12, 2025 |
| Sept. 13, 2025 | Aug. 29, 2025 | Sept. 2, 2025 |
| Oct. 4, 2025 | Sept. 19, 2025 | Sept. 23, 2025 |
| Nov. 8, 2025 | Oct. 24, 2025 | Oct. 28, 2025 |
| Dec. 6, 2025 | Nov. 21, 2025 | Nov. 25, 2025 |
| March 14, 2026 | Feb. 27, 2026 | March 3, 2026 |
| May 2, 2026 | Apr. 17, 2026 | April 21, 2026 |
| June 6, 2026 | May 22, 2026 | May 26, 2026 |
| *Students who need to borrow a device from College Board will need to register and request their device earlier than the registration deadline—at least 30 days before test day. **Late registration is available worldwide. Additional fees apply. | ||
College Application Season
As college application season is now in full swing, I’ve had the privilege of helping many of you refine your essays and applications. I’m continually impressed by the depth of your accomplishments, and I look forward to seeing where your hard work takes you. If you're in the process and getting stuck, don't hesitate to reach out.
++NEW SAT Vocabulary Quizzes++
Finally, I’ve compiled two new sets of official SAT vocabulary based on reports from the August International SAT Reddit community. I’ve put them into my quiz format, which you can find at the links below. These vocabulary sets are valuable tools since many difficult words repeat across tests. The August US SAT vocab quizzes are forthcoming.
Mr. John’s Test Prep
Mr. John’s Test Prep
I still have a few tutoring slots available in the coming weeks as we head toward the October 3rd SAT, so please reach out if you’d like extra support.
Wishing you all a strong start to the school year—let’s stay consistent, keep learning, and keep pushing forward.
Proud of you all,
Mr. John
