<p>"And my son's advice is to not 'overthink' the math. It only requires Alg and Geometry, and if you're in pre-calc or calculus he thinks it's easy to think too much about the math problems."</p>
<p>That's good advice for some students. My S did his own refresher on old material after the first test because he realized none of the math he was currently taking was on the test. Made some simple errors the first time but did better the second.</p>
<p>For anyone considering merit aid, top PSAT and SAT scores can be tied to some hefty merit awards. In light of this, if going for merit aid, familiarity with the test from taking practice tests is not going to hurt. (Maybe only if going overboard and taking too much time from academics or other committments?) It would be a shame to have all other "ducks in a row" with transcript, EC's, whatever else--and to not do some practice tests, if that's what it would take to have better choices or more scholarship money. </p>
<p>A student who is a life-long reader has probably been doing verbal prep without knowing it. A math whiz is going to have knowledge far beyond the test. In either case, familiarity with the test will not hurt, neither will math practice tests that will include math concepts that the student may not have seen in a while. </p>
<p>Aside from possible scholarship money, NMS recognition can be additional reinforcement of academic strength. I would think this could be particularly helpful if coming from a high school that is not as likely to be on a college's radar, either geographically or because the high school doesn't usually send students to a given college/university. So, NM recognition could help--even if not financially.</p>
<p>Someone whose SATs seem low, or who is good at reading comprehension, or who tends to over-think trick questions (etc) -- might also try the ACT, or try that before launching into much prep for SAT. High scores on one test or the other will work for most purposes, but check with individual schools or scholarships for which test is accepted.</p>
<p>I know others have said some of these things. I'm agreeing with them.</p>
<p>no, I didn't, either year, and I did fine. (actually, I went down 13 points from sophomore to junior year, but whatever, my junior year score was still good enough to get NM (but barely).</p>
<p>My D started studying for her SAT in August (I forget when she took it exactly, but it was after the PSAT in October)... so I guess you could say she studied for it. She did very well, and has gotten the top "50,000" letter for NM. We think she'll be semi-finalist. I wouldn't prep for it as a soph (that way you can use that score as a sort of guideline for how much he needs to prep for the SA), but as a junior I don't see how prepping for it could hurt. If nothing else it would help him when it comes time to take the SAT.</p>
<p>Well, I always made fun of kids who studied for the PSAT, but in retrospect it would not have been such a bad idea. My SAT score was 350 higher than the PSAT after I had done some practice tests, and I would've been National Merit, so i think it's worth it to get all the prep you need done before PSAT cause you don't need to worry about it after, it's not like the type of thing you forget</p>
<p>D prepped for the PSAT in her junior year by doing tests out of the SAT prep book. If you think your kid might be able to make the Nat'l Merit semifinalist, it's worth it to prep. </p>
<p>She took the SAT 1 the week before the PSAT (cart before the horse?); retook the SAT 1 test in June of her junior year. That way, she didn't have to worry about the SAT 1 test during her senior year.</p>
<p>bluebayou--
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A very good school such as USC offers an immediate 50% tuition discount for NMFs. So, a Calif score of 217 earns $60-80k of tax-free money, whereas a score of 216 earns absolutely nothing....
[/quote]
</p>
<p>wait... what about a massachusetts NMF... haha can we get a 50% tuition discount at USC too? may have to look into that.....</p>
<p>University of Southern California is a private school, so, yes, someone from Mass. would get the same deal. Actually, many public universities also offer automatic awards for ALL NMF's, even those from out of state. It pays to shop around.</p>