Hello, I am a sophomore right now and I have about 15 months before I’ll take the SAT. On the PSAT 8/9 I got 1290/1440, which would be 1430/1600. If I study well for an hour a day, which would be about 500 hours total, how high could I get my score? I am intelligent, but not one of those people who never studies and does perfectly. Could I get a 1600?
It’s possible
Absolutely you can. 1550 is more than attainable by anyone who can score as you have as a sophomore and is willing to put the work in.
1600 though is tough. The SAT has a relatively low ceiling as far as ability goes, but this means that a single careless mistake in math or more than about 2 on EBRW will prevent a perfect score. My limited experience working with kids who have hit the math ceiling earlier than age 12 has convinced me that some of the conscientiousness needed to ensure that no careless errors are made is not something that can be prepped for.
Anyway, don’t worry about that. 1550+ is doable, and 1600 is within sight. Set your goal and reach it. Best of luck!
It also depends in which subjects which scores were. I know a number of kids who had high English scores, but needed to have reviewed the math. They were able to increase their math scores by 100 points, from mid 600s to mid 700s or more, just with a few hours of review. It’s harder to increase one’s English score, because the skills that it measures are developed by years and years of reading.
That being said, I think that absolutely you could raise those scores with the right preparation. And plan on doing the work starting now, and especially over the summer. Scoring high enough on the PSAT for National Merit is a big feather in your cap, and can open up admissions and scholarship doors for you. And since you’re going to be doing the prep anyway for the SAT that early, I’d plan on taking the SAT shortly after you take the PSAT in fall of 11th grade, since you’ll be ready for it.