I 'Bombed' the PSAT. Should I be nervous?

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p>I am a high school Junior from a high ranking public school in Upstate New York. I am an otherwise strong applicant but my PSAT scores were absolute crap. I'm not sure if I should be making a big deal out of it or what to make of it.
SAT II's
Math I 700 World History 770</p>

<p>I actually already took the ACTs and got a 32
35 Math 29 English 31 Reading 31 Science</p>

<p>I have a 94 average, and soldid ecs (3 season athlete, editor of literary magazine, international model un conference, officer of model un club, etc)</p>

<p>I got a 179 on my PSATs and until now was hoping for about a 2100 on my SATs. I didn't study for the PSATs and I am not sure If I should take my score seriously.
Math 61 Reading 63 Writing 55!</p>

<p>Schools I am looking at:
West Point, Pomona, Carleton, Colorado College, Grinnell, University of Rochester
Franklin and Marshall, Willamette University, SUNY Geneseo, UCSB College of Creative Studies (IK it is an oddball pick), Lawrence University, Beloit </p>

<p>Basically, how should I be reacting to my PSATs? What does this mean?
IK this is a sort of stupid thread, but I am seriously nervous because I am doing a lot worse compared to how I have proved myself academically (compared to my peers).</p>

<p>Also, do colleges see PSAT scores?</p>

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<p>No, colleges do not care about your PSAT score, nor does the PSAT matter in terms of college admission. The only advantage to taking the PSAT is to gauge how well you’re prepared for the SAT and possibly to qualify for National Merit.</p>

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<p>I’ve also heard that college board ‘games’ the test so people are nervous (like I am now) and go rushing to buy prep books and classes and what have you. I definitely did worse than my peers did so I have (some) reason to be a little weirded out. But how unprepared am I? Is it reasonable to still be shooting for the 2100’s after this? </p>

<p>I guess this is sort of subjective…</p>

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<p>Most people do better on the SATs than the PSATs. For example, a 60 in reading on the PSAT is a much higher percentile than a 600 on the SAT.</p>

<p>Personally, I scored a 196 on my Junior PSAT and then scored a 2130 on my first SAT (no studying in between). That’s +170.</p>

<p>Also keep in mind that the PSAT is much less forgiving of error (as there are less questions).</p>

<p>Based on your PSAT scores, I wouldn’t expect you to break 2100 without studying. But you’re not so far from it that you should be “nervous”. If you take some practice tests and get to know the test a bit better (I and basically everyone on this site would recommend that you do so) you have a very good chance of getting 2100+</p>

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<p>“I’ve also heard that college board ‘games’ the test so people are nervous (like I am now) and go rushing to buy prep books and classes and what have you.”</p>

<p>Huh?</p>

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<p>silverturtle: ive heard ‘theories’ from my older friends that college board purposely makes the PSAT harder so when kids get low scores, they will feverishly go out and buy SAT study products. Its probably just a conspiracy theory</p>

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<p>No doubt it’s a conspiracy theory. With almost no doubt, I say it’s false.</p>

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<p>Depending on how much you study, you shouldn’t worry. I got <200 on the PSAT but 2300+ on the SAT a month later. PSATs are much less forgiving of mistakes.</p>

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<p>Don’t worry about it. I didn;t study for the PSAT and got a 177. With studying, I pulled a 2360 on the SATs</p>

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<p>Congratulations on the improvement, JDong.</p>

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<p>i wouldn’t get scared, people raise their score hundreds of points from their psat. i guess there is a reason why they give out national finalist to the ppl who actually do well on their psat.</p>

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<p>These posters are all correct. I received a 173 in 9th grade and a 232 this year (11th grade). Even though you don’t have 2 years, I think that you’ll definitely be able to bring it up with diligent prep.</p>

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<p>collegeXE1993
you are involved in a lot of activities
how do you manage to do all that and study for SAT?
just wondering cuz i have a similar prob</p>

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<p>Just another improvement story: 170 on PSAT Junior year, 2020 on SAT 5 months later (with moderate studying)</p>

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<p>did everyone miss that the OP already earned a 32 on the ACT? </p>

<p>your PSAT means absolutely nothing, in fact, your ACT score already surpasses the equivalent 2100 you would “like” to achieve on the SAT…</p>

<p>why are you even dealing with the SAT with that ACT score? study for that and be done with it; you could probably bring that 32 up…</p>

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<p>As has been said, the big deal with PSAT is qualifying for National Merit. Beyond that, you are still in total control of you SAT scores. You seem to be a student with plenty of initiative, so this is just a chance to prove yourself. Too many students do well on PSAT and then slack, eventually getting pretty average scores. Use this as an opportunity to work hard and score high.</p>

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<p>P S A T</p>

<p>It stands for PRACTICE S A T.</p>

<p>That’s what it is; DS used it as a spur to train for the real SAT.</p>

<p>You can too . . . or you can go with the ACT . . . 32 is a real good score.</p>

<p>Kei</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>Actually, it stands for “Preliminary.”</p>

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<p>^I don’t think kei was being technical about the acronyms but rather being simplistic.</p>

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<p>Well, the foundation of his point seemed to be in genuine intent. Nonetheless, I pointed it out for mostly comic purposes, as his argument is constructive.</p>