The best time to take SAT II Writing is after you’ve spent as much time as possible in English or writing classes. This does not hold true on all of the SAT II tests—for example, it makes sense to take the Biology test right after finishing a year-long Biology course, when the material is still fresh in your mind. But the Writing test is not about cramming your head full of formulas and tables; the more total time you’ve devoted to reading and writing, the better off you’ll be. This means that you should take the SAT II Writing sometime during the end of your junior year or the beginning of your senior year.

ETS usually sets testing dates for SAT II Subject Tests in October, November, December, January, May, and June. However, not every Subject Test is administered in each of these months. To check when the test you want to take is being offered, visit the College Board website at www.collegeboard.com, or do some research in your school’s guidance office.

Unless the colleges you’re applying to use the SAT II for placement purposes, there is no point in taking any SAT II tests after November of your senior year, since you’ll get your scores from ETS after the application deadlines have passed.