<p>I think it's time for the College Board to change their policy regarding the PSAT. My kids' scores came last week, and it wasn't really a big deal having to wait, but it was annoying knowing some people had scores more than 2 weeks earlier. Parents and kids can find the answers to any questions they might have about the PSAT on the CB website. The CB could even direct people to the site and have a basic tutorial there (I mean have it pop up the first time a kid logs on to see the scores). I don't understand why they make such a big deal about it. It's not like the PSAT is really an important test for anyone other than the highest scorers (who are all probably aware of what their scores might mean already, and, if they're not, they'll either be pleasantly surprised, or (if they just miss the cutoffs) it wouldn't make any difference to them anyway, since they weren't expecting anything in the first place). Maybe if everyone who's expressed frustration here complained to the CB, they might considering doing things differently. I agree with justbrowsing--it's information families have paid for and have been hoping to use in planning for college. The sooner the information is avaiable, the sooner it can be put to good use.</p>
<p>A lot of schools pay the fee for the PSAT. </p>
<p>Not that that excuses not being able to get the scores, of course!</p>
<p>I just called CB and talked to someone who was spectacularly unhelpful. No, she can't give out the access code. No one can possibly see their 2008 scores online without the access code. That doesn't jibe with many reports here and elsewhere, but she was certain, absolutely certain, that 2008 scores cannot be viewed online without the access code. She also couldn't answer my questions about PSAT/NM re: kids who start college early.</p>
<p>This is <em>really</em> annoying.</p>
<p>^ Owlice, same here. I also just called and talked to a very unhelpful person at CB. When I log into D's account, I can still only view last year's scores.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>I don't understand why they make such a big deal about it. <<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>I agree. Why not allow access to PSAT scores like kids can access SAT scores after taking the test?</p>
<p>ellemenope-- The CB person I spoke to said the reason is that the student registers for the test through the high school, so results are distributed to the high school. Still, that makes no sense to me. I paid for the test, I should expect results in a timely manner, and I told her that. Maybe if enough people complain. Maybe.</p>
<p>Not that this will help anyone, at least not right now, but collegeboard does EVENTUALLY provide access to the PSAT score report to everyone even if they never enter the access code. But this is some time in late January or February. At least this was the case last year.</p>
<p>^Exactly, oregonianmom. We always paid $$ for the test, even if we had to register through the high school. Does CB set up an account for everyone who takes the test? Sounds like yes. Since they do, I don't see what the problem would be in allowing access to the results of the Psat once results are calculated. Not sure why the wait till Jan/Feb, unless the data isn't loaded until Jan/Feb because CB is so busy with SAT scores for seniors applying to college. Jan/Feb would be their down time.</p>
<p>As for parents' complaints, I doubt there are many parents who would complain. Only people interested in PSAT scores and just can't wait to know are possible NMSFs. Not many of those compared to the bulk who took the test.</p>
<p>Yes, the CB is particularly unhelpful when it comes to the PSATs. I figure we will get D's SAT scores before we get the PSATs.</p>
<p>Here's a link to a doc about connecting without an access code.
<a href="http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/connecting-without-an-access-code_8.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/connecting-without-an-access-code_8.pdf</a></p>
<p>I haven't tried it because I don't know what name my child may have used on the test (given name or shortened version).</p>
<p>oops, after reading the above doc. more carefully, it says that score reports aren't available without an access code until February!!! And the document appears to be from last year.</p>
<p>For those of you who can't get the scores without an access code, does your student already have a user name and password? I put in my daughter's user name and password and it took me right to her 2008 scores.</p>
<p>missypie--yes, my S already has a user name & password. We followed their rules to set up an account and it is worthless for us.</p>
<p>Glad it worked for you.</p>
<p>We have a username and password, but are being told we need the access code. Or can get score without an access code after Feb 1. I'd love to see her scores now but that's just me being curious and impatient. We have way too much to do with the holidays coming up to think about colleges right now anyway.</p>
<p>For those who said they wanted to do college visits over break, may I ask why? There won't be anyone there. Some of the schools may not even be running tours. You can't really get a feel for a school unless the students are there. So honestly, I don't think you're missing anything by waiting. Even in the summer there are likely to be more people around than over Christmas break. (Speaking as a parent who already has a kid in college, so I've already been down this road once).</p>
<p>^^ It's true that winter break is down time for colleges, but they still give tours and the admissions counselors are available for questions. For my S who is fairly clueless about the whole process, this is at least a start. Depending on what he later shows an interest in, we may have to revisit the school we're checking out over break. It's on the way to where we're going visiting family, so an easy stop.</p>
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For those who said they wanted to do college visits over break, may I ask why?
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Well for us, we don't want to go anywhere, we just want to have an idea of where we should be looking. Hubby has to pick his vacation immediately. He's a city worker and they pick once a year. He is holding up his entire garage with waiting for this because, as he works two jobs, we need to schedule carefully and the best option for us would be the last week in January, which is Regents week here, but D isn't taking any, so we have a week free. It's just a consideration of our personal situation, that's all. It's looking like we won't see them till January now anyway because they're missing, but what can you do?</p>
<p>S2 got an email today from CB that said scores were available, clicked and got his scores. Now we wait til September...so close...</p>
<p>The delay in getting PSAT scores does absolutely affect families and their plans for college visits. As zoosermom points out, people have to make plans in advance and there is a chain reaction of everyone else getting delayed.</p>
<p>However, I would suggest the following to people who are still going to have to wait over the winter break:</p>
<p>Don't wait. Get a hold of a real Collegeboard practice test, either a full-length SAT from the big blue book or from a prior year's PSAT that you can order from Collegeboard (yeah, I know, give them more money). Administer the test to your kid, simulating the real thing as much as possible. Score the test. You're done. </p>
<p>The result of this practice test will give you virtually the same kind of information that you are waiting for. The only thing special about the actual PSAT that your kid took in October is to find out whether your kid will make the cutoff for national merit.</p>
<p>Congratulations to those of you who have been able to access your kids' scores today, and my sympathies to those of you who are still waiting.</p>
<p>CountingDown - congrats on your DS's amazing score - I know it had to be pretty high if he's that close. Good luck in your vigil until you find out in Sept. I wish him (and you) tons of luck - though I'm sure he won't need it.</p>
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S2 got an email today from CB that said scores were available, clicked and got his scores.
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I don't understand why different people are getting different results on the CB site. My D got that email too, so she clicked on the link and signed into the account she created last year. It still says she needs an access code to get her 2008 scores. There is no trouble in viewing her 2007 score.</p>
<p>AUGH!!!!!!!!! I emailed the GC asking for the access code and she said that they weren't handing out the score reports until January because they want "all the kids to get it at the same time!" I have contacted the testing administrator for the district about this and if not successful I will contact the principal. </p>
<p>I"m on a mission........................</p>