If you're asking if you should take the SAT in January, I would recommend no. With winter break providing a distraction from heavy studying, you're looking at about two to three solid weeks between now and the January SAT. You'll be stressed and freaking out, which is definitely not good for your mental health, let alone your score. I realize that tennis is a time commitment but so is getting into your dream program, so if I were you, I would make both my priorities. Push back the SAT until the March or May date (you won't be applying to schools until Julyish to September, right?) and then a little bit every day, work on techniques that you are taught. I don't know much about Kaplan's teaching methods as I'm a tutor for the Princeton Review, but I'm sure they have just as many great things to tell you as we do. So work on whatever Kaplan gives you, go to school, and play tennis. By pushing back your SAT date, you will be very busy and will definitely have to sacrifice your social life, but trust me, it's so worth it. I'm not saying neglect your friends, but limit the amount of time spent hanging out; maybe give yourself one or two nights a week to just veg with friends. Once the SAT is over, you'll have the entire rest of the spring and summer to relax and do whatever you want. I know it sounds hard, but it's the best investment you can make. You may feel like you're being put through hell by becoming a tennis-playing, SAT-studying recluse, but when you get that nice shiny score you really want, that hell dissolves into euphoria. Definitely think about pushing back to March.
