<p>Hey, I took my first diagnostic test today and got a 204. My ultimate goal is a 215 (to get NMS recognition) by the time I take the PSAT in October. Do you think this an achievable goal? Study/general tips?</p>
<p>Eminently possible. I got a 202 the October of my sophomore year, and a 224 last October (I’m a junior, semi-obvious but hey). Buy the College Board Blue Book, and do about a test every two weeks. Go over your tests once you’ve finished them, and try to pick out specific question types that are tripping you up. Is geometry the bane of your math grade? Ask your teacher to go over a few problems you’ve missed with you. Did you have to look up the word “bane” in the last sentence? Start reading more, and buy a DirectHits Vocab book. Reading a lot should be a priority in general, though; not only does it help your vocabulary, it also helps your innate sense of what sentences should look like (which should be your primary method of discrimination for the Writing section). If you’ve got any more questions, feel free to PM me; I did just the same thing my sophomore year, and I’m looking forward to my NMS letter now.</p>
<p>Very reasonable, achievable goal. Could you break down your PSAT practice score? Which sections are you strongest at? Weakest at?</p>
<p>Yes - that can be done. Practice and study the ones you get wrong.</p>