I’m a sophomore and I got my first PSAT test scores back about a month ago and was pretty disappointed. I scored a 188 with a 72 in math, 58 in writing, 58 in critical reading. I know it isn’t a horrendous score but I’ve always scored in the 99th percentile on previous tests and was expecting at least a 200.
But anyways, I was wondering if you think think its possible for an improvement of 210+ for next year’s PSAT and an actual SAT score (late junior year) of 2200+? Has anyone else ever had an improvement similar to what I’m aiming for? Or has anyone else ever been in a similar situation (score wise) and how did you improve?
If you think that I have a shot at it (or even if you don’t), what are the best study methods? Classes? Practice tests? Vocab flash cards? Test-taking methods?
I need specifics like book titles, where practice tests are from, etc.
I definitely think you have a chance! Especially when it’s only sophomore year. You’d be surprised- 188 really isn’t bad at all, considering the grade you’re in!
Your math looks good; if you really want to bring it even higher, I’d recommend Barron’s SAT I Math workbook. Though it is slightly harder than the real test, it gives you the confidence to be able to solve the problems on the SAT, especially if you REALLY work through all of it!
For the writing, I would recommend “The Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar” and the companion book, “Eight Multiple Choice SAT Writing Tests”. I personally have only leafed through it, since my writing scores have no problem, but it looked very good and a number of people I’ve met swear by it.
Critical reading is a little harder. I would just straight-out go and buy the Barron’s SAT study book- it has some great tips and good practice. However, the biggest improvements in Critical Reading really come from an adjustment of the mind. It takes a while! You’ve just got to remember: only ONE of the answer is the right one, and all the others are DEFINITELY wrong for a specific, noticeable reason. Once you get that under your belt, it should be fine.
And of course, the Vocab flash cards! But- that’s a side-note, unless you really have vocabulary problems.
Don’t spend on all those classes! They’re… eh, I suppose they probably work, but- meh, you could study on your own just fine.
My PSAT grades in sophmore and junior year, respectively, have been 222 and 226; I am currently studying with all the materials I have mentioned above for the SAT, and am receiving 2,300-ish on practice tests.
But, it’s time for me to be preachy now- don’t worry! You’re in Sophomore year. Trust me, by the time of the SAT, you’ll be so sick of it you’ll never want to fill in another little bubble again. Right now, the MOST important thing you can do for your college admissions is- you guessed it!- get good grades and do extracurriculars. Remember, even if you DO start studying now at this very second- you’ll probably forget most of it over the course of the year!
Relax! Time sometimes works wonders, and you may take the PSAT in Junior year and find that your grade went up all the way on its own.
Anything is possible for anyone taking the SATs. Especially if you have a years worth of time. The thing is, SAT and ACTs are tests that anyone could get a 2400 or 36 on if they put the work and time into it. I bought several prep books and think they are fantastic. Other people might disagree with me however. The books I purchased were:
Princeton Review’s SAT Power Vocab
Princeton Review’s SAT Power Math
Princeton Review’s Cracking the SAT Premium Edition with 8 Practice Tests, 2015
The Official SAT Study Guide (The basic College Board blue book everyone should have)
SAT Math SparkCharts
SAT Writing SparkCharts
SAT CR SparkCharts
Barron’s SAT Critical Reading Workbook
The Perfect Score Project (basically a parent’s novel about cracking the SAT)
SAT Elite 2400: Elite Prep for Advanced Students
McGraw-Hill’s SAT Vocabulary Flashcards
Are all of the above books necessary? No, but I’m a huge independent studier and learner. You can get them all or look at a few, I think they’re all great. As for strategies when you take practice tests, take them as if you’re in the room. Don’t take breaks (unless they’re permitted in the guide). You typically will experience testing fatigue during the real test, so you need to push yourself and act like you’re in that situation. I also love doing the SAT Question of the Day, if you have a College Board Account then you can track your progress. Also search this forum for people who have gotten perfect scores, had success, etc. Best of luck! You can do if you put your mind to it. If you reach for a 2400 (which is what I did), then you know you’re pushing yourself to the fullest and aiming to get the highest score possible. I like that strategy because even if you fall short of a 2400, you’re still in a good range. If you need any additional help or advice let me know
@agirlinasweater Thanks for the encouragement, I’ll take a look at those books.
@southernbelle16 Well then definitely thanks for the advice and good luck to you!
I got a pretty similar score my sophomore year. I had a 191 (63 reading, 63 writing, 65 math). My junior year I didn’t improve much and got a 194(64 reading, 68 math, 62 writing). When I took the SAT in the spring I got a 2090(700 math, 700 reading, 690 writing). I then retook it in the fall of my senior year and got a 2220 (680 reading, 740 writing, 800 math), which brought my super score to a 2240. Because of this, I can tell you with confidence that your PSAT score will not hold you back from getting in the 2200s on the actual SAT.
I feel like the best way to prepare is to do as many practice problems and tests as possible. If you are familiar with a wide variety of sat questions, many of the questions on the actual SAT will just seem like review of something that you worked through earlier. I didn’t really have a study routine, but I did regularly answer the SAT question of the day, and I used a Princeton Review book of practice tests. I think I only actually completed three of the tests out of the eleven in the book, and I did them in small chunks rather than sitting down and timing myself, but I still felt that just being able to work through the problems in a lower pressure situation was helpful.
I didn’t get in the 200s on the PSAT, but I think that it would certainly be possible if you started your studying now. I didn’t start prepping much until after I was finished with the PSAT. I think a lot of really good examples of practice books were already listed, and I don’t think I can add much to that list. I only actually used one book though (but maybe that is the thing that makes the difference between 2200s and a 2400, who knows?)
I mainly just wanted to let you know that I know for a fact that your goal is possible because if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have jumped from a 191(only three points away from yours) my sophomore year to a 2240 super score my senior year. Don’t get discouraged!
I’m glad I could help! When I saw your situation I just had to respond. I also have a friend who, if I remember correctly, got in the 180s her sophomore year and is now in the 2200s after taking the sat twice as well. I really think you just need to practice.
