<p>I took it cold, got an 1880 the first time. Then took it for a second time, no study, no test prep, got a 2030. </p>
<p>Studying I’m sure will help you and more likely than not, procure a higher score. I do recommend taking the test multiple times however, as that is a test prep in itself. However, if you feel you need a test prep course/book/whatever, then don’t hesitate to help yourself in that area.</p>
<p>Depends on how prepared/confident you feel I guess.</p>
<p>I would advice against taking it cold if you know you can do better with some prep. Or if you get really nervous during tests…because some prep will really calm you because you get more confident after taking a bunch of practice tests since you know what to expect.</p>
<p>I took it soph year without any prep and I reallllllllllllly regret it. I got a 1880 and I had no idea what I was doing…and I was quite scared. I guess I did realize how much prep I needed but I really wish that score would kinda disappear because now if I take it again…I’ll have taken it three times total…which seems like a lot you know?</p>
<p>Damn you people, it’s just a test. All you have to do is: Look over the blue book in the bookstore, at least skim over the rules once, and then review in-depth if you feel like it.</p>
<p>I have taken the PSAT three times, and every time I take it my score goes up 20 or 200 if you project the score. I didn’t prep then, and I don’t really plan on it now. I like the idea of taking the test before you study. You can see your weaknesses and study hard for an individual section. Do my scores automatically get sent to the four colleges I’ve listed, or do I get the option of sending them? Thanks for all the help</p>
<p>Going in cold is okay, but I think it’s definitely better is you do a practice test or two beforehand. Just to get into the habit of test taking.</p>
<p>studying never killed anyone–if you screw up after not studying, you’d be more likely to feel bad because, cough cough–you’d feel that you screwed up because you didn’t study. On the other hand, if you’re the exception to the rule or perhaps a genius test taker, or just a very lucky person who happens to do well–would you begin to question whether or not you would have done better had you actually prepped?</p>
<p>I think studying is 50% an actual help for taking the test and 50% psychological support/moral boost, which in turn affects test-taking performance, and after test anxiety.</p>
<p>I didn’t want to pay for test prep book/class, so I spent a 3 or 4 afternoons in a local bookstore, looking at the Princeton Review for about an hour each time and trying some practice questions.</p>
<p>2310.</p>
<p>So not entirely cold, but close.</p>
<p>I was wondering can you chose not to send the results to any college. It seems that when I try to do this on the collegeboard.com registration site they require to designate at least one college. I am taking it cold on March 14 and don’t really feel like sending my scores anywhere just now. Just want to see where I stand. I know that with the new rule you can chose which scores to send, but it seems that you have to pick at least one college every time you sit. Anybody know smthing?</p>
<p>If it’s only March and you’re a junior, it can’t hurt to get a feel for the test. If you do well, you feel pretty good about yourself for a while. If you don’t do well, you can just attribute it to lack of studying and try harder the next time.</p>
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<p>Lol, I just realized the irony of a person with the username “panic” telling us to relax :p</p>
<p>act cold = 34 composite.
taking the sat on march 14 with only basic reveiwing of math and cr concepts by skimming princeton review prep book. we will see how it goes</p>
<p>terrible idea. all that does is waste time and money, since you will have to take it again anyway. why not do something else with your saturday?</p>
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Lol, I just realized the irony of a person with the username “112358” making fun of another person’s username :p</p>
<p>Seriously, you picked a dumb name.</p>
<p>^ Umm, that wasn’t intended to be a criticism.</p>
<p>^ Meeeeow.</p>
<p>Was just joking about how the Fibonacci seq. would make for a great tattoo.
Back to the OP - taking both can’t hurt and then you’ll know what worked best for you.</p>
<p>i took the act cold and got a 33… haha i thought there was a history section so i literally went in knowing nothing about the test</p>
<p>i took the sat cold today… we’ll see how it goes!</p>
<p>honestly it depends about how well of a test taker you are. Im not so i would never go in without practicing. but if your confident that you dont need the practice go for it.</p>
<p>these threads have been so stupid lately
im a junior too but geez
frikin noobs</p>
<p>I agree…^</p>