The timing for taking a pregnancy test depends on various factors, such as the type of test and the woman's menstrual cycle.

Most over-the-counter pregnancy tests can detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman's urine, which indicates pregnancy, as early as 1-2 weeks after a missed period. However, some tests can detect hCG as early as 6-8 days after ovulation.

If a woman has irregular periods or is not sure when her next period is due, she may want to wait at least 3 weeks after the last time she had unprotected sex before taking a pregnancy test.

It's important to note that pregnancy tests are not always 100% accurate, especially if taken too early. Therefore, if a woman suspects she may be pregnant but gets a negative result on a pregnancy test, it's recommended that she wait a few more days and take another test or consult with a healthcare provider.