<p>Hello all. I got a 165 on the PSAT with no studying sophomore year. I took Algebra I and Geometry in 7th and 8th grade and didn't adequately review my math or writing. Also, I had never seen an SAT/PSAT question before and didn't realize the difference between it and the ACT. This year, the NM cutoff in my state was 211. In order to be in the safe range for NM for next year, how do I make the jump? I have a Princeton Review for PSAT and the SAT blue book. Give me YOUR stories of success and failure and why you scored what you did. Thanks.</p>
<p>It’s common for students who prepare diligently for the Oct. SAT in their junior year to improve substantially on the PSAT (sophomore score vs. junior score). Lots of my students improve 30+ PSAT points. YMMV.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks! I am needing a 45-40 pt increase. Does somebody know of anyone achieving this?</p>
<p>I just took a mock writing test and if I superscored my PSAT it would be at a 181. I will take the other sections to note more improvement (hopefully!)</p>
<p>Yeah. A 40-45 point increase is def possible. My suggestion is that you study for the PSAT the same way you study for the SAT. </p>
<p>I went from 161 (sophomore year- no studying) to 190 <— Would have got a 195 if it hadn’t been for one math question which I wrote the right answer but put down the wrong bubble. </p>
<p>The increase is definitely possible. I went from a 165 my Sophomore year to a 185 my Junior year on a practice test, no studying prior. Then, I studied hard and raised to a 216, qualifying for National Merit in my state (cutoff was 211, I think.) I studied for the SAT and scored a superscore of 2290 on it my senior year.</p>
<p>I used the same two books you have now. In addition, I contacted a professional PSAT/SAT tutor from NYC who I met over Reddit. He worked with me for a total of 3-4 hours on the PSAT and another 4 hours on the SAT during my senior year. We mainly discussed the specific sections, questions, etc. that were difficult to me. We also went over test taking strategies, preparation, diet, and exercises (Yes, a dinner high in starches the night before, high carb snacks during the test, a diet snapple, and some little exercises to get the blood flowing to you head.)</p>
<p>It is definitely possible. Start studying in the summer. I made the mistake of putting it off and started to study 3 weeks before the test. For the sake of your well-being, while it is possible to still achieve it as I did, don’t try. I was completely drained both mentally and physically.</p>
<p>Oh and surprisingly, the tutor helped me for free, not his usual ~$100/hr rate. However, don’t expect anyone to do this. I was quite fortunate.</p>
<p>Search for “buy three journals” and check out my post in reply to someone else also trying to increase a PSAT score. Hopefully that helps! And yes it’s possible, but I highly recommend building daily momentum (studying at least a little bit every day or weekday). If you find yourself really hitting a wall, @Biinary’s experience with a good tutor might be wise to replicate.</p>
<p>Do you think you improved?</p>
<p>I do think I improved, just probably not enough to reach NM status! :)</p>
<p>You will definitely improve! I got a 191 my sophomore year but a 233 junior year. For junior year, I just tried to relax going into the test, and I did some practice tests (especially in math). I also had taken the SAT earlier that month so the PSAT seemed even easier!</p>