<p>So academically my scores are pretty amazing, but my test scores not so much.... Just got my PSAT's back and I got a 145, My counselor said she wants to put me in this prestigious SAT prep course that helps the students in my district and based on what the program has put up before she expects about a 100 point increase in each thing...</p>
<p>51 CR
47 M
47 W</p>
<p>I know I can do better, this day just fell in a really hectic month, I had a lot going on, but I know no excuses!!! I will definitley be trying much harder...</p>
<p>Anyway my question is despite test scores will my academic record get me to a good school?</p>
<p>Class rank: 27 out of 838
GPA: 98.0
3 Year member in girls to ladies group (mentor and community service)
Optimist club
Have planned events such as a make a wish fundraiser
200+ hours of community service</p>
<p>If your standardized test scores don’t come up enough to be commensurate with your grades, you can also investigate test-optional colleges and universities. A growing number of institutions–including some highly reputable ones–have begun to welcome applications from students who do not submit SAT or ACT scores. See this link: [SAT/ACT</a> Optional 4-Year Universities | FairTest](<a href=“http://fairtest.org/university/optional]SAT/ACT”>ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest).</p>
<p>Considering you’ve just taken the PSAT, you still have enough time to retake the SATs and improve your score. Regarding your question, though, I think it depends on how “good” of a college you are looking for, and how holistic the application process is. Your academic record definitely has a pull, as do your essay, and interview (if there is one), so low test scores shouldn’t be the end of the world, especially if the college is looking more at your personality than your numbers. I know a guy who had around 1900 as a superscore on the SATs and still got into the University of Chigaco.</p>
<p>I still think you don’t just add a zero to the PSAT scores and that’s your SAT score----even your first SAT try will probably be higher. So a 47 math can easily turn into 600-630. Don’t worry too much yet. Just do some test prep.</p>
<p>Yes, your rank and test scores tell a significantly different story. You might try the ACT instead of SAT. Some students find it more to their liking.</p>
<p>No, the adding a zero to your PSAT score (as suggested by the College Board), really does give you a good indication of where you will be scoring on an SAT exam. I would definitely suggest you take the prep course. Some are better than others, so make sure that your counselor is not just sending you to a “prep mill”, but one that can actually help bring up your scores. Don’t waste your money on the generic places, even if you have to spend a bit more on a better prep course (or private tutoring), that’s a better option. You luckily have some time! So start with the prep asap and plan to take the March SAT. You could still retake in May or June, and then a third time in the fall of senior year. Or, you could use your summer to prep for the ACT and take it in Sept. But you need to start with the prep right away, so don’t wait. Make sure that the prep course uses the College Board’s “blue book”. They may use a few others as well, but you have to have the blue book. Read all through the SAT threads and you’ll find some great advice (mostly from Xiggi). Then if all of this still results in low scores, then you can start focusing on some “test optional” schools from the link above. But you still have time! Use it!</p>
<p>From College Boards’ site:</p>
<p>How can the PSAT/NMSQT be used to estimate SAT® scores?
The PSAT/NMSQT point scale of 20 to 80 is comparable to the SAT point scale of 200 to 800. A quick way to estimate a comparable SAT score is to add a zero to the end of a PSAT/NMSQT score. For example, a 42 on the PSAT/NMSQT critical reading section is roughly equivalent to a 420 on the SAT critical reading section.</p>
<p>Juniors frequently take the SAT six or seven months after taking the PSAT/NMSQT. Sophomores will not take the SAT for 18 months, so there may be a greater likelihood that these intervening activities will influence sophomores’ SAT scores. Estimating Junior-Year SAT Scores (.pdf/89K) shows how scores change for students who take the PSAT/NMSQT in October and the SAT Reasoning Test the following spring.</p>
<p>I would certainly take the test prep course offered in your district. You have lots of time to prepare and improve your scores. I’d also take a practice ACT and score it – some people do better on that test. If your standardized test scores don’t come up, I agree with the suggestion of looking at some test optional schools.</p>