Son did great on the PSAT 1500, but just took a proctored practice test w/essay (SAT Practice #3) and only scored 1450. I thought he was prepared for the SAT based on his PSAT but now I’m not so sure! He missed questions all over not just one or two types. He was really hoping to be ‘one and done’ but I’m not sure he’ll have enough time to get himself up to his goal by the beginning of March. He said the PSAT was so much easier!
What year is your child?
My son is in 10th grade. He’ll be taking the new PSAT 10 next month but we won’t have the scores back before the March SAT. He’ll likely take the SAT again next OCT but he really wanted to not to have to take it twice.
If it were my child, I’d be inclined to wait to test in October of junior year, rather than in March of sophomore year, if he only wants to test once.
IIRC, the PSAT is easier; it’s anticipated you’ll have another year of school under your belt before taking the SAT.
@allyphose on the score report for the new PSAT it states that “Your score shows how you would have scored that day on the SAT” with a foot note “Beginning in March 2016”. I agree with you that the the SAT is harder but the College Board seems to think that what you score on the PSAT is what you’ll score on the SAT with out any additional study.
The issue with waiting to take the SAT in 11th grade is that if doesn’t get the score he wants then he won’t have any time to prep for a second testing. This way if his March scores aren’t what he expected then he can prep during August and September.
Is your child taking the March 5th SAT?
Juniors have plenty of time to retest - most juniors test in the Spring of junior year (SAT in May and SAT Subjects in June, or the reverse - which I actually like better, because you take subject tests right after the end of the year in said subjects, then you have one month to prep for the SAT). Then one more chance in case something goes wrong (October and November) if the student applies ED/EA/REA/SCEA.
@MYOS1634 When to test really should be based the individual. You are right that it’s best to take subject tests right after you finish the corresponding courses that’s why my DS18 will take the Math Level 2 and Physics subjects test this May after finishing pre AP-Pre Cal and AP Physics 1 & 2. That’s why he’s taking the March SAT and not the May SAT.
He’ll be out of the country for the June SAT so that brings us back to Nov or Oct if he takes it a second time. He will be too busy the rest of the year to actually do any meaningful prep. I know my son’s schedule and more prep after Fall 2016 is very unlikely.
As anyone who is taking the March 5th SAT actually finished all the level four questions on Khan? I made the mistake of thinking that level four was complete when the fourth segment of the arch appeared but it was really just starting.