I got a terrible PSAT score. Can I still do well on the actual SAT?

Test Preparation
1

<p>I see all of you crying over your scores when you all scored over 200.</p>

<p>I'm scared to reveal my score because that would automatically make you all think I'm stupid but really: I'm the slowest test taker in the world. (I had a whole row of blanks on my bubble sheets) </p>

<p>I got a 137.
43 CR, 51 M, and 43 WS </p>

<p>I thought I did well in math until I saw people getting 67+
-_- I'm a sophomore and my dream school is UCSD but I doubt I have the potential to get accepted there now.
I know my issue: pacing. But how can I fix that? Also when should I study for the SAT if I want a really good score 2100+</p>

2

<p>137 is pretty low, but don’t freak out. PSAT scores aren’t necessarily indicative of your SAT scores. However, if you don’t prep you’ll probably do worse on the actual SAT since its a longer test. The best advice I can give you is to do as many practice tests as you can get your hands on. Don’t over-think questions, don’t spend to much time on one question, it you don’t know the answer in a minute move on.
From personal experience, pacing is something that you’re either born with or you have to work REALLY hard to perfect. So work really hard over the next year and a half and you should see improvement.</p>

3

<p>I recommend that you keep trying to improve your test pacing by practicing but don’t fret. I noticed that there seem to be more colleges now that realize they are missing some very bright students because of test scores and have included a writing option for the application process instead of test score. I’m not sure if it is in addition to the standard essay or in lieu of it.</p>

4

<p>Since your timing is your issue, I would really focus on that. First, make sure you learn all the concepts and then take practice tests while timing yourself.</p>

5

<p>Take the ENTIRE test and don’t fudge on the timing (meaning, make it follow the actual test conditions as closely as possible). Fwiw, my son sent up the equivalent of more that 55 points between PSAT and SAT.</p>

6

<p>Thanks guys, and yes I will try to practice but when do I start? Because I’m taking an AP class (AP World) and I have a book that I need to study as well. </p>

<p>Pacing is my biggest issue when it comes to test, two weeks ago I got a C on a chemistry test (honors chemistry so that means it was a long and challenging test) and it’s because I had to guess on the multiple choice part due to having five minutes left… I got an A on the written though :stuck_out_tongue: </p>

<p>why can’t the SAT be math and science based only :(</p>

7

<p>I feel ya, man. Essay writing, especially narratives, aren’t our thing.</p>

<p>I’d suggest starting off with the CB’s Blue Book ([The</a> Official SAT Study Guide, 2nd edition: The College Board: 9780874478525: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/The-Official-SAT-Study-Guide/dp/0874478529]The”>http://www.amazon.com/The-Official-SAT-Study-Guide/dp/0874478529)). It’s got around 10 practice tests, and decent study materials. I’d also look at Barron’s SAT 2400 ([Barron's</a> SAT 2400, 4th Edition: Linda Carnevale M.A., Roselyn Teukolsky M.S.: 9781438000206: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Barrons-SAT-2400-4th-Edition/dp/1438000200]Barron’s”>http://www.amazon.com/Barrons-SAT-2400-4th-Edition/dp/1438000200)). </p>

<p>Lastly, consider taking the ACT. It’s writing optional (but UC schools require the essay). I was a guy who got projected 2100’s from SAT practice tests, but got a 36 on the ACt (my PSAt was 203, taken after the ACT, so yes, you can and will climb up, and it’s not THAT reliable of a score in the first place.) Best of luck, man.</p>

8

<p>i got a 166 on my psat but went up to a 2020 with some studying. so any increase is possible. Besides i think i did even better on the december SAT so psat is not a boundary for you.</p>

9

<p>You are a sophomore, so you have a whole year. I bet that with some dedication to practicing, you can easily get commended. Now, you may think I am exaggerating, but I am not. The hard part of raising your scores is not going up from a 100-200. It is to go up from a 200-210 or 210-220. That’s something that requires a lot more effort (for some people like me) than getting from the low scores to the decent ones (i.e. 200+). </p>

<p>MA is easy if you know your school math. There are just some few tricks here and there that College Board plays on you, but other than that, it is pretty straightforward. One example would be like 3x+5=4x+2. Find 2x. Well, many people will find ‘x’ and just circle that answer - the most obvious one. If you think a little more and read more carefully, then you can get the right answer (i.e. in this case fins 2x instead of x). Now that is just a basic example. Many would say they would never make such a mistake, but under time pressure, anything is possible…</p>

<p>If you are good at memorization and applying what you memorized, you are pretty much set for the WR. WR has a basic set of rules and if you know most of them, you can easily score 60+. Now getting from the 60+ range to the 70+ might be a challenge, but it is not very tough. </p>

<p>CR may be intimidating, but I got a 48 in my freshman year. The next year, I scores a 63. It is all about practice. Actually, I only practiced for like two weeks before the test and got a 63. So, I guess improving from the 40s to the 60s can be done if you sit in English class. I mean that’s what I did…</p>

<p>Overall, a 200 basically means you are averaging about a 67 in each section. My advice would be to focus a lot on your best section (Math) and get it to a consistent 70+. Then, try to get your CR and WR to a 60+ and you will be set to get commended. and your SAT will then be 2000+. This means that you should, on average, miss about 8-10 on CR, 2-3 on MA, and 6-7 on WR. That is doable, if you put your mind to it. If you want more, you have to work more… But if you are ok with a 2000+, you are all set. Don’t worry too much. Good Luck!</p>

10

<p>I got a 128, then 125, then on the SAT , after good practice, I got a 1720, With CR and W being my highest improvement. You can improve no matter what, as long as you put in the time and effort. I truthfully recommend buying the book " SAT Critical Reading and vocabulary essential guide, by larry Krieger. The vocab I studied in that book actually appeared on the test.</p>

11

<p>I agree with the advice and comments here but would be concerned with suggesting the ACT since timing is your issue with the SAT. You mentioned leaving many answers blank due to time constraints. Assuming your responses were correct on most of the questions you did answer, then I agree that consistent practice can help you improve significantly. </p>

<p>You can certainly take stab at the ACT by taking a practice test from the red book, but that test requires a greater mastery of timing, so I don’t think that would be the best approach for you.</p>

<p>As to when you can study……do you know what you will be doing next summer? If you can carve out the time to take all ten practice tests from the Blue Book AND review your incorrect responses and guesses, then you should be ready to take the test next fall. It sounds as though you might have trouble finding the time once the school year gets busy.</p>

12

<p>Depends on how much studying you do. If you start a rigorous SAT study schedule now (30 min a day) by next year you could raise your SAT score by 500 points. Obviously this requires alot of hard work, but it will be worth it.</p>

13

<p>Don’t worry about it. My SAT Score was like 300 points higher than my predicted score. Just study and you’ll be fine.</p>

14

<p>Some students are eligible to take the SAT with extra time. You might want to research the College Board website to learn whether you might be eligible. have you shared this experience with your GC at school? He/She might have some ideas. Best of luck!</p>

15

<p>Don’t worry about the PSAT. Regardless of what people say, I don’t think it’s a very good indicator of your SAT score. I got a 160 on PSAT (barely tried), and got a 2100 on my actual SAT with some studying. Trouble with pacing is a big issue though, you should try to finish each question under a minute, and if you truly don’t know how to do it, then skip and rush to the next question and check later if you have time. From what I hear, people usually improve 300 points from their PSAT score.</p>

16

<p>My son opted to take the SAT this fall, right after taking the PSAT (he’s a sophomore). He didnt study for either. His PSAT came back at 217, with CR being the weak point. That translated to a SAT score of 2110, again with CR being the weak point. He will bone up on that section before taking the PSAT again. He will also likely take the SAT again, probably same time next year.</p>