<p>My PSAT sophomore year was a 201, and junior year was a 213, with a perfect math section. I took some intensive SAT prep (9am-7pm every day of winter break, a full-length practice test with essay included EVERY morning). I usually got high 2200s, couple times 2300-2310...Then I took the SAT for the first time in January 2010, got a 2170, which is only a 40 point increase from my PSAT. Is this normal for a first time SAT taker? Some people are saying that it's the experience of taking the actual test that really increases your score...my counselor said that usually the second time, scores increase by a LOT, sometimes by a couple hundred points (which is what I'm hoping for...haha).</p>
<p>Just want some reassurance here :( Sometimes it feels like that Jan score is my limit just because I prepped so much for it. 40 point increase seems so pathetic - is this a common phenomenon?</p>
<p>I find it hard to compare the PSAT and SAT, personally. My first PSAT was a 169 and I’m looking at a 2200 for my first SAT. Not really any comparison there, we’re talking a 500+ point increase.</p>
<p>Did you take the March SAT? If not, definitely take it again and see where you stand.</p>
<p>@New Account: I didn’t take the March SAT. I did, however, sign up for the June SAT. I won’t be doing any intensive prep in between now and then, though, simply because I don’t have the time to do so…</p>
<p>@shaheiruddin: Math 770. CR 720. Writing 680 (660 MC, 10 essay). Writing really surprised me, because that was usually my best section on those practice tests.</p>
<p>Writing is subjective, so unless you are homeschooled most colleges don’t care about that score. Your other scores are good. It’s a lot easier to make big leaps when your start score is low.</p>
<p>Work on your reasoning. Prepping 10 hours a day is not necessary at all. Learn how to reason better. There’s likely little content to learn if your initial score was above 2000. If there is no content to learn, why would you spend so much time studying? What are you studying? Practice exams won’t help you just by taking them. You have to use them to your advantage. One practice test theoretically should be enough for you to go up 400 points.</p>