<p>I just received mail and I have to sign up for the PSAT which is Oct. 18!!!!!!!
what is this? I am familiar with the SAT, but not the PSAT.
what is a "cutoff"?
how can I prepare for this PSAT?</p>
<p>PSAT is almost the same thing except the math is a little easier.</p>
<p>Its the same scoring system as SAT basically, except without the last 0. Os its from 60-240.
You prepare for it the same way. Of you do well, you qualify for scholarships and stuff. Thats at around the 205-220 mark depending on state.</p>
<p>so.. am I at an obvious disadvantage because i live in PA?</p>
<p>^ Why would you be at a disadvantage? Are PA people geniuses?</p>
<p>no..but im guessing that ny, pa, and ca have a higher cutoffs than say.. wisconsin? lol</p>
<p>ahhhh..am i wrong??? i have no idea what the PSAT is about but it would be nice to get a scholarship</p>
<p>^Yes, being in populous states do make it slightly harder to qualify for the scholarships, but... your point is?</p>
<p>My advice is to suck it up, study for the SAT, take a couple of PSAT practice tests, and then take both the SAT and PSAT.</p>
<p>my point is simple..its harder to get a scholarship where i live :( (and where you live too, hehe) ..nothing more.. jeez</p>
<p>Your not going to get it if you don;t even know what its about. Do you know what your SAT score is?</p>
<p>ok sorry for being new to america (im canadian) and prioritizing the SATs which are more important?
my score is around 2100</p>
<p>2100 isn't good enough for the NE. Some states require up to something like 223 on the PSAT for the scholarships. The average for those states seems to be around 218-220, well above the national average. So yes, you are at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>PSAT isn't too important if you cannot get the necessary scores, but if you can, they help a little. Its good on an application, but don't expect too much money from the scholarships.</p>
<p>The theory behind different scores for different states is that in good states where education systems are better, the students are at an advantage. If you lived in Wisconsin or something, then yes, you would need a lower score, but you would also not have the same education and therefore not have the capabilities to score as high.</p>
<p>Its unlucky for you if you had recently moved to America though because you would not have any benefits of the education system.</p>
<p>^ Not sure what you mean but SAT is about 45% portion of the decision factor</p>
<p>Where do you live... Here in Texas the Sat is at least 103.578% of the decision factor for local schools.</p>
<p>I live in NY; of course, it depends what college you want to apply to. always.</p>
<p>"Its unlucky for you if you had recently moved to America though because you would not have any benefits of the education system."</p>
<p>tell me about it..coming from a school where teachers paint their toenails during students' presentations..not even kidding on that one!</p>
<p>ive had to take a ton of initiative just to catch up on school work.
but.....i wont complain. its a heck of a lot better than moving from somwhere like china LOL ..</p>
<p>^I've seen people who moved here from China do pretty well on the SAT. LOL.</p>
<p>in 6 months prep? pure chinese?? impressive</p>