<p>PSAT: 168
SAT: 2100</p>
<p>Great predictor…</p>
<p>@silver turtle, its like i said, it depends on how you view the PSAT. If you’re not trying to become a NMF, then it dosent mean much. Also, there is also the factor of endurance, the SAT makes its mark there. Thus, most kids, like 70% of country, isnt CC, so they dont really care and its like the same or lower. Perhaps for 30% its better. On the average collegeboard is right, but its taking into account most kids who want to go to mediocre schools.</p>
<p>^ The College Board breaks down the data by score range, and the correlation persists.</p>
<p>O.K. everyone, perhaps a little clarification would help. </p>
<p>You can take the PSAT in your sophmore and junior year. However, you can only receive National Merit statues based on your Junior year’s score- which must be 99% percentile (check your state’s cut-off scores). Nonetheless, studying early for the PSAT and taking the test during sophmore year is good practice for the junior year PSAT- and more importantly the real SAT. The PSAT is great, but do remember that the SAT is more important (don’t let that stop you from getting a nice scholarship through the PSAT, though)</p>
<p>Now, there is much argument over whether or not the PSAT is a good predictor of SAT scores. Here are the facts: the PSAT is a a 2 hour 10 min. test with 125 questions, where the SAT is a 3 hour 45 min. test with 175 questions and an essay. Understand that because the PSAT had fewer questions each question holds a larger weight. For example, answering all questions right in the PSAT math section brings an 80, but doing just one or even two questions wrong drops your score down to 75 and 72, respectively (which are still respectable, but you get the point). Thus, it is harder to well on a test with so few questions- meaning that the PSAT is not a highly accurate SAT predictor (but it can get you a good idea). So regardless of your PSAT score, you can still conquer the SAT.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The only thing that is a better predictor is how well you are doing on SAT practice tests.</p>
<p>I second the notion that the PSAT is a terrible means of gauging your SAT score. 201 my sophomore year without preparation, then 205 my junior year after taking a course and studying. Then 2320 on my first SAT with minimal preparation.</p>
<p>Is the SAT an accurate predictor of PSAT score?</p>
<p>There are often discrepancies between your PSAT scores and SAT scores. I too had an over 100 point increase from PSAT to first time SAT. However it’s also a good way to prepare no matter what everyone says. Number one, although it’s considered easier than the SAT, it has the exact same type of questions so essentially it’s a low-level practice test (hence the name!). Number two, when you receive your scores, not only do you receive your test booklet, but also your answer and the correct answer to every question. I for one think it is invaluable to be able to analyze your mistakes and this alone will help you immensely in preparation for the SAT. And finally, I agree, National Merit is not that important in the grand scheme of thing but the “prestige” and the money involved are certainly not bad things.</p>
<p>@simo14</p>
<p>I suggest either google-ing or waiting for silverturtle, he knows everything.</p>
<p>I just did a few practice PSATs the week before the test and went form a 203 sophomore year to a 229 junior year.</p>
<p>I would say just do some practice tests to get used to the test, but don’t overstress unless you actually don’t know some of the material (especially for math/writing)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I do not know of any data that indicate the correlation between PSAT scores that were obtained after SAT scores and those earlier SAT scores. But, given the significant correlation between PSAT scores and SAT scores otherwise, I suspect so.</p>
<p>Why wouldn’t there be a correlation? </p>
<p>SAT: 2270
PSAT five months later: 224</p>
<p>Though I agree that the PSAT does give you much less leeway…</p>
<p>I think we should move to some prep. advice.</p>
<p>If you happen to have the SAT Blue Book, then you might have noticed that there are no explanations given for the practice tests. Thankfully, you can see explanations for Math section questions on youtube. The great “khanacademy” provides coherent explanations and technique to ALL of the SAT Math questions. Very useful to know if you have this book. = )</p>
<p>I actually need to strengthen myself in the Writing and Critical Reading sections. Does anyone have some advice there?</p>
<p>^ There are official explanations for the Blue Book online.</p>
<p>Didn’t know that, thanks!</p>
<p>Are there official online explanations for the 1st edition of the Blue Book?</p>
<p>^ Not directly, but the 2nd edition has a lot of overlap with the 1st.</p>
<p>Silverturtle, did you use blue book questions in your superiorly awesome guide (and why isn’t this a book?- imagine… Silverturtle’s Guide to Destroying the SAT).</p>
<p>^ No, I did not.</p>
<p>I took the PSATs last year as a sophomore, and got a 220.
I’m wondering what I’ll get this year… if I go down that would suck. haha</p>