<p>I suppose... but what about people who prep hardcore w/ practice tests before they even take an official one?</p>
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It's kind of annoying that our society glorifies hard work so much more than talent, though.
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<p>LMAO......</p>
<p>I got the impression most people didn't do that, because they don't want to put out the effort until it is apparent they need to. That being said, I guess they would be a problem. Still, if you need to learn the test like that, I think having a real one under your belt helps nearly as much as the practices in increasing your score.</p>
<p>In any case. Why wouldn't you study for the PSAT? it's not going to hurt you in any way that I can think of. If you do well on it, you might qualify for that scholarship competition. And besides when will you ever take another test like the SAT that tests your "natural ability"?</p>
<p>Well studying as a sophomore would kind of be a waste, since you should be focusing on keeping a 4.0 gpa, and getting some good EC's. I could see the importance of studying as a junior, as I will for sure be studying over the summer, but why study as a sophomore? I've studied a bit, just so on test day I won't be like *** DO THEY WANT ME TO DO!?@</p>
<p>I can't be bothered to read all these above posts, so here is the thing I took away from the PSAT: take it your junior year, and you might get a shot at becoming a National Merit Semifinalist or even a Finalist.
To my suprise, I got Semifinalist status. Even though it's a pain to write the essay, the mere fact that you get it says a lot to many schools. (though some, like Stanford, don't care) and you could get a scholarship to the school of your choice as well.</p>
<p>I think knowing that the junior year tests makes you eleigible for national merit and national achievement, and practicing for it, especially if you think you are a contender, helps somewhat. But I also I think that non-College confidential types ( and Invoyable, IMHO, that does not include you! Senior member since June....I am smiling....this is said in fun...) should know the national merit benefit, by definition, is only going to apply to a very small percentage of the populatation. I believe the main benefit is learning where you stand, and then deciding if you want to do anything with that information. I DO think it's a good idea to say "yes" to the info sharing option, though. Just in case you "score well".</p>
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<p>I just like to think that people like IV and me are just amazing 'cause we scored well without studying at all. >__></p>
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<p>It's kind of annoying that our society glorifies hard work so much more than talent, though. /elitism
Oh, how I agree with everything said here. And yeah, Poseur, we are prettttty amazing ;]</p>
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Well, it "hurts" you in the fact that you're taking the time out of your life to, um, study. I qualified for the NM thing and I didn't even know what the heck the PSAT was when I took it, so I sure didn't study.</p>
<p>...so great of both you pseudomongers espousing this garbage of a "debate" on here 24/7...good job in hijacking every single thread related to standarized tests.</p>
<p>I'm new at this forum, but this topic really interests me. I'm an international student, and I do have to take the PSAT in order to be able to take the SAT later on. The fact that at my school it's necessary to take it, made me wonder what is was useful for, and seeing that in fact it does help you get prepared for the SAT encourages me to take it seriously. I have to take it soon, and I think I'll get prepared for the type of test it is, though not studying all subjects, I think I'll leave that for my SAT preparation. Still, I believe that it is important to do our best, following other members' advice I'll try to apply my knowledge as best as I can.</p>