*Pre-PSAT Thread* Calling all PSAT test-takers!!!

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p>So I have a dilemma…and need your advice. </p>

<p>We have about 4 months till we take the PSAT. I just found out about the PSAT and that our school offers it. (small school in the middle of nowhere; main focus ACT) I need help to prepare. I need to start now. I know the PSAT (from research) isn’t that big of deal to me (I’m not sure if I will take the SAT), thought I know that if you get high enough you can qualify for national merit aid. </p>

<p>Advice would be helpful. Books/websites. You name it. </p>

<p>Thanks!!!</p>

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<p>PSAT scores strongly correlate with SAT scores; that’s a fact.</p>

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<p>Fact. Really?</p>

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<p>Yes, really.</p>

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<p>PSAT 2009: 191
SAT (Nov. 2009): 1900</p>

<p>Well, the PSAT had made a close prediction of my SAT score.</p>

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<p>How can one argue that PSAT’s do not accurately predict SAT scores? The tests are EXACTLY alike aside from the fact that the PSAT is much shorter. In essence, it is a “sized-down” SAT. Discrepancies in scores from one test to another can be attributed to many factors, including focus level, desire to do well, etc. But it is erroneous to say that they are not similar.</p>

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<p>Question: Say one qualifies to be a semi-finalist, Do you have to take the SAT to become a finalist? Just curious.</p>

<p>(Haven’t taken the PSAT yet)(look at previous post)</p>

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<p>Yes, you must score well enough on the SAT to “affirm” your PSAT score. This is rumored to be around 2000.</p>

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<p>Yes, you have to take the SAT, and you’ll also have to write an essay iirc.</p>

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<p>What is direct hits?</p>

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<p>Direct Hits Volumes 1 and 2 are SAT-vocabulary books.</p>

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<p>My friend got a letter for that National Merit Scholarship thing (so I assume he was above the cutoff for VA), yet he only scored ~1900 when he took the real SAT.</p>

<p>For myself: Sophomore year, I got a 165. Beginning of this year, I got a 185. On the December SAT (which was shortly after the PSAT, I think), I got an 1860. Also, no studying.</p>

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<p>I would say the PSAT is strongly similar to the SAT in content but not curves. In my experience, PSAT curves are harsher than SAT curves.</p>

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<p>Yes, as a product of the PSAT’s having fewer questions.</p>

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<p>^Still, that weakens the accuracy of PSAT scores for SAT scores a bit.</p>

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<p>^ Only in that it slightly decreases the reliability coefficient of the PSAT.</p>

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<p>The majority of people get higher SAT scores than their PSAT equivalents. Unfortunately, that was not the case for me.</p>

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<p>PSAT’s do not in any way predict ones SAT score, except, If the person is studying as intensly for the PSAT as they are for the SAT and they have reached a certain limit ( there is really no limit, because practice does make perfect, but realistically nobody practices THAT much). For example, for my PSAT’s, i got a 1500 freshmen year, 17somehting sophmore, and only 1870 Jr. Year. Then i took the SAT for the first time after practicing a good amount, not as much as others though, and got a 2150 (jr. year march). I just took the June one and am projecting 2230-2300 with even less studying done. So, PSAT’s do not correlate as well as you may think they do.</p>

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<p>They have the exact same content. Studying for one is studying for the other.</p>

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<p>You’ll have to call the College Board and tell them that their data are wrong then.</p>