<p>@vonama, you can get the PSAT booklets from the CB store (where they sell the rest of their books…search for PSAT). </p>
<p>No SAT booklets, however.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I was able to find some in CB’s bookstore.
There are “Test Book” and
Student guide including practice tests.</p>
<p>I guess the first one is the real past paper
is it?</p>
<p>You got them all?</p>
<p>Alright, so silverturtle and others have mentioned that while doing the CR section it’s important to be in the “right reasoning state of mind”- which definitely helps. However, how do you achieve this ability? </p>
<p>For example, when I came across the CR question “Advocates of the simulation thesis might best respond to the criticism in lines 37-44 by pointing out that the author’s claim is…”, I really didn’t know how to answer this. I know about the “advocates of simulation thesis” and their motives, but how am I suppose to predict their reaction to the author’s claims?- this can be arbitrary. So how do you pin down the answer here in the “reasoning state of mind”?</p>
<p>^</p>
<p>Use the information you know, and make the best possible inference.</p>
<p>I’d tried that… but failed in vain 
. I guess it’s all conjecture then- I must inquire silverturtle.</p>
<p>^</p>
<p>But after you look at the explanation, do you understand why your answer was wrong and why the correct answer is right.</p>
<p>There is actually very little ‘conjecture’ made. Remember, the answer is always GIVEN in the information directly. If it wasn’t, the correct answer would be up for debate and the CollegeBoard would be up to its neck in lawsuits. USE THE TEXT.</p>
<p>SandwichGirl- I’m not really understanding why the right answer was actually right even after checking CB’s explanation. If you have the Bluebook I can get you the pg. and Q #.</p>
<p>Here’s how to approach the question you’re referring to (BB #12, p. 485):</p>
<p>“Advocates of the simulation thesis might best respond to the criticism in lines 37-44 by pointing out that the author’s claim is…”</p>
<p>First you have to know: what’s the simulation thesis? In lines 25-29, the text says that it theorizes that people are unable to distinguish between reality and fiction if they watch too much TV. So advocates would be people who support this idea.</p>
<p>What’s the criticism in lines 36-44? Those lines say that that theory is ridiculous because no one has ever had trouble distinguishing between soap opera characters and, say, their own family members. It applies the simulation thesis literally. But that’s an extreme interpretation of it. Not being able to distinguish between reality and fiction might just mean that people are desensitized to things in reality after seeing them in fiction, NOT that viewers literally cannot tell the difference between real and fictional people. The answer is A because the criticism in lines 37-44 acts like the simulation theory has no value just because it can’t be applied literally, which is really limiting.</p>
<p>C, D, and E have no support in the passage. It doesn’t say advocates of the simulation thesis believe you have to be a psychologist to criticize (C), the author is critiquing them unfairly (D), or that it’s important to consider TV’s relation to pop culture (E). B is too extreme because being able to distinguish between reality/fiction IS important to their thesis; it’s just being applied in an extremely limited way in lines 36-44. That’s a reasonable weakness in the argument you have to be able to extrapolate from the text.</p>
<p>Sorry for the longwindedness. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Don’t apologize for your longwindedness- it was well worth it! I have a much better understanding of the question and the answer. Thank you so much for your help!</p>
<p>hey, when can you be the national finialist? in junior or sophmore?</p>
<p>
As a junior.</p>
<p>^ No, as a senior, but based on the junior PSAT.</p>
<p>thanks guys.:)</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m just going to study for the SAT, since all the prep will hopefully spill over. Grrr… I have the PSAT though- the curve is just nasty :/</p>
<p>I realize that this is probably the billionth time this question has been asked but when exactly will we know if we’re a national finalist? Thanks :)</p>
<p>^
You will be notified in February after submitting scholarship application.</p>
<p>Just curious about this. The PSAT is now getting closer and closer. What kind of improvement has everyone achieved since the summer? For me, I’m actually improving in the CR section with the help of the BB. Silverturtle’s writing section advice has also helped. </p>
<p>How about you guys?</p>
<p>
My first PSAT + 0 at end = My first SAT score. My second PSAT score (the one that qualified me for NMSF) was slightly (2 points) higher though. Seemed to be a good predictor for me (didn’t study at all for either PSAT or the SAT, though I really should have).</p>
<p>I believe silverturtle remedied that conflict in one of his threads.
Can’t find it though.</p>
<p>When are we notified is we are NMSF? Early September? Late September?</p>
<p>Also, just curious, do any seniors take the PSAT (as practice for the Nov/Dec SAT)?</p>