<p>I'm an upcoming junior and I am planning on taking the PSAT this October. I took a practice test 2 weeks ago (actually it was the official 2009 Form S test from a friend who graduated) and I received a total score of 194 (M:68, CR:64, and W:62). I really want to become a National Merit Scholar Finalist, and the score i need is a 212 because i live in Ohio. I have planned to study the entire summer but I am getting both anxious/overwhelmed. Could anyone get me tips or tell me what they did to study for these tests? I bought 3 books, the Princeton Review 2011, Barrons 15th ed., and Kaplan 2012 all specifically for the PSAT. I'm freaking out and I really need to get my score higher, can someone help!?</p>
<p>The collegeboard releases a PSAT practice test every year. Check with your guidance counselor to see if you can get some from the past few years. Also, the collegeboard blue book should help you prepare for the PSAT; do like 3 from that and save the other 7 for the regular SAT.</p>
<p>Also, study vocabulary. Building it early is essential for both the PSAT and the SAT. Furthermore, do an extensive review of all the grammar rules. Using The book “The Ultimate SAT Tutorial” by klasstutoring, i raised my PSAT writing score from 61 to 80. Knowing grammar is essential.</p>
<p>For math, it’s all about practice I guess. Maybe go over some geometry and trigonometry and practice problem solving.</p>
<p>Good luck! Hope you make NMSF</p>