<p>There are tons of wonderful resources on here for the SAT and ACT tests, but I don't see anything for the PSAT. I am a current sophomore and will be taking the junior PSAT next year as well as the SAT. I am hoping to get merit scholar, but I am not sure how to study. How different are the tests? Will studying like I am going to take the SAT be sufficient, or do I need to apply different methods?</p>
<p>The PSAT is just like the SAT except it’s shorter, and it doesn’t have an essay. I haven’t taken it, but I’d say that it’s fine just to keep studying like you are now.</p>
<p>You may use any SAT book to prepare for PSAT, however, you should also do a couple timed PSAT practice tests.</p>
<p>As Yakisoba said, the PSAT MCqs are very similar in content and form to those on the SAT. I actually spent quite a bit of time studying specifically for the PSAT, which dramatically decreased my SAT prep time. Some PSAT study tips:</p>
<p>-- Sign up for the College Board SAT question of the day. Actually answer the questions.</p>
<p>-- Get a couple of good test prep books. I used Barron’s and Kaplan PSAT books and generally found that Barron’s prep content was more thorough. I relied on Kaplan for extra practice tests. Another option is the College Board’s SAT Blue Book; the additional practice tests do double duty for SAT and PSAT prep. (The Blue Book was my main SAT study guide.)</p>
<p>-- Set score goals. If you’re aiming for National Merit, find the NMSF cutoffs for your state for the past couple years and aim ~5 points higher.</p>
<p>-- Learn question patterns. The PSAT, like the SAT, recycles the same question forms over and over. Once you become familiar with them, you can tackle any question they throw at you.</p>
<p>-- Take practice tests. Once a week over the summer is usually sufficient and gives you plenty of time to study trouble spots during the week. I took at least 10 practice PSATs before my junior year PSAT (and far fewer practice SATs, funnily enough.)</p>
<p>Thank you all very much! I appreciate the input!</p>
<p>If you start preparing for SAT this Summer, you should be all set for PSAT by the time you take it. Then you may take the SAT between December and March and save April to June for AP and subject tests preparations. It would be great if you can get all these tests done by June and focus on essays, school visits and applications in the Summer after Junior.</p>
<p>Thanks billcsho! That is a schedule I will be sure to follow. Though, is it necessary to prepare for a subject test you are having an AP test in? Aren’t subject tests easier?</p>