How To Improve PSAT SCORES

Test Preparation
1

<p>I am a freshmen in high school, and I am very worried about college. Is this resume good enough for ivy league/top 20 school? </p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 (unweighted), 4.26 (Weighted). Expected GPA after Senior Year (If I keep it up) 4.6-4.8</p>

<p>Resume:
Academic Achievements:
-Principal's Award- Highest recognition for written story as chosen by principal for sixth grade students.
-Academic Excellence Award- Highest academic recognition given by principal (based on nominations by a panel of teachers) to seventh grade student (two awards each for male and female students).
-President's Education Award- For maintaining an "A" average throughout middle school.
-National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) member and Vice President (William Mason Chapter)- Became a member by maintaining an "A" average, showing leadership, and demonstrating service. Nominated through an interview by a panel of teachers to be Vice President of the NJHS.
-1st chair Euphonium for the highest middle school band, and high school intermediate band (Middle school band was winner of several awards).
-Superior rating for Solo and ensemble competition 3 years in a row- District competition, highest rating.
-Director's Award- Best musical talent for sixth grade band, as selected by musical director.
-Area Honor Band- Top euphonium player for county school district, as chosen through an audition and recommendation by music instructor.
-State Select Band- Invited to participate in a Virginia state select band to perform in Europe during Summer 2010.
-Mr. Mac Orbeth Physical Education Award- Annual award given by physical education instructor to sixth grader who demonstrates dedication and character through athletics.
-Battle Books Team Captain- In 5th and 6th grade I was selected to a reading competition (through a test) eight consecutive times where I was named captain all eight times (by my classmates). Our sixth grade team won one of the four competitions held that year.</p>

<p>Personal Achievements:
-Nominated to freshmen executive board- part of student government, one of 5 members selected.
-Freshman basketball team - made the team with no previous experience.
-Big Buddies- Participate in program through high school that gives mentally challenged students a friend to have.
-Travel Hockey- A/AA/AAA level hockey since age 7.
-Baseball- Named to Little League All-Stars for three years, All-Star team District runner up for two years, Majors team town champion for one year. Played age 13U and 14U travel baseball for the Vienna Mustangs who were ranked top ten in the nation for 13U age.
-Lacrosse- Learned a new sport at age 14 for a U15 county travel team. Team finished as District runner up.
-Football- Learned a new sport at the age of 13 in the humility of not winning any special titles.
-Swimming- Swam for Country Club team for 4 years with no special individual recognitions, but for a team that won the league championships 3 years in a row.
-Debate Camp- Attended one Summer of debate camp, and was chosen as team captain for the affirmative argument side.
-Community Service- Was a "Big Buddy" for the Friday Friends Forever organization through my Elementary School (program was to develop mentors for mentally and socially challenged students).
-School Vice President- Elected by my elementary school to be Vice President during grade 6.
-School 5th Grade Senator- Elected by my elementary school to be Senator during grade 5.</p>

<p>Now to my Standardized test scores. I got a 154 on my PSAT (freshmen). I know this is awful, and is really putting everything else down. WHAT CAN I DO TO IMPROVE. IF DON"T , EVERYTHING ABOVE GOES DOWN THE DRAIN. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. and could u evaluate how im doing so far. Thanks</p>

2

<p>sorry i got a 166 on my PSAT</p>

3

<p>maybe a really good idea would be to almost finish high school before you take a college entrace exam, lol.</p>

4

<p>Generally you don’t want to post things for middle school, especially awards within your middle school since they don’t hold too much value outside of your school.</p>

<p>The thing with Ivies, is that they aren’t looking for the average honors, 4.0 GPA student. They’re looking for people that are unique in a certain way and will enhance the names of the schools. They look for geniuses, musical prodigies, exceptional athletes, etc. They get thousands of applicants that are 4.0 GPA, but are looking for the special people that will accomplish something. Find something/an activity that makes you unique and that you excel at. :slight_smile: I see that you like sports a lot, and you went to a debate camp. Join your debate team and travel around. A lot of debate teams go to national tournaments, and if you do well at them, it looks great for college. In the future if you go to, for instance, Dartmouth’s Debate Institute, you can get a recommendation from Dartmouth’s debate coach if you plan to continue debate in college. I had a friend get into Dartmouth that way. Otherwise, focus on a few sports and try to excel at them. Or band. Doing a plethora of things and being good at them isn’t nearly as good as doing a few and being amazing at them.</p>

<p>You’ve still got time to find something you’re really good at and focus on it.
And don’t worry about PSAT - it’s the SAT/ACT that counts. You’re PSAT score will get better with time.</p>