<p>I am little concerned about my son's idea of taking both PSAT and SAT in October. He is currently a sophomore and doing self prep for SAT. As a Junior, he has to take PSAT in Oct but he wants to take SAT as well in Oct. Is that a good strategy? </p>
<p>I usually noticed students taking PSAT in Oct and then analyze what needs to be improved and then do SAT in Jan/Mar of Jr year for better scores. He disagrees with that saying both needs same skills and it's just a matter of less time for PSAT for less questions. </p>
<p>Any suggestions or advise on timing is appreciated.</p>
<p>My DS decided to take the SAT in the fall of his Jr year so he could get an idea of the test and how he did. That left him open to re-takes in Spring Jr year and Fall Sr year. He did quite well and if his goal was any state school, he did well enough where he could have stopped right then (and been done with the testing–which would have been nice). He was reaching for schools so took the SAT a total of 3 times. </p>
<p>The math on the SAT goes thru Algebra II, I believe, so depending on where your son is in math could make a difference there. Our school recommended taking the test the first time in spring of Jr year, but my son was taking pre-calc that year so it didn’t hurt him to take it early in Jr year.</p>
<p>I also recommend he try the ACT. They are very different tests and people find they do better on one or the other in some cases.</p>
<p>Hope this helps. He really should focus on the PSAT. My son looked at that as “just another prep test” and missed out on any national merit awards because he never really took it seriously. Based on his SAT/ACT scores he could have been competitive for NMF if he had taken it seriously.</p>
<p>My D’12 did this (SAT the weekend before the PSAT) and it worked out really well. She did almost no prep other than running through one practice test to remind herself of the timing. (She took the SAT in middle school, so it wasn’t a new experience for her.) We’re all quite pleased with the results, and she’s really pleased to be done with this level of testing.</p>
<p>I think taking both the SAT and the PSAT in October is a great strategy! It worked well for my D.</p>
<p>My D self-prepped just a little. She took the SAT in October, and her score wasn’t as high as we would have expected given past tests. However, she took the PSAT a few days later and scored the highest in her school, and high enough to make the PSAT cutoff in any state. She is now a NM Finalist. In my opinion based solely on our experience, it was useful to prepare for both of them at once, and having taken the SAT earlier helped her on the PSAT. </p>
<p>She then re-took the SAT, and took the ACT as well. Her 35 composite on the ACT was higher than her SAT score on the concordance table, so she submitted that on college applications.</p>
<p>I can provide only one data point, but it makes sense to me to prep for both at once.</p>
<p>Exactly as Schokolade said; same result here.</p>
<p>Preparing for, and taking, the SAT (Big) and then the PSAT (Little), is the smartest strategy available. DD earned her NMF standing, and then multiple Ivy likely letters, using this approach (public school, no test prep courses or tutors). But . . . he really has to want it!</p>
<p>Ditto the other posters. My DD did this and it worked out flawlessly. To me, the SAT was more practice for the PSAT, I knew she was capable of NMF from previous PSAT’s. I did not expect it to be her only taking of the test, but more of a “try it and see” approach. She did so great that we don’t need to test anymore. Also, she got NMSF score on PSAT a week later. We are done, relieved, and happy.</p>
<p>If your son wants to do it that way, there’s no reason not to let him. There is no downside to an SAT early on. If his score disappoints, he can re-take it later on and the better score will supersede.</p>
<p>Some kids know just what they want. If you’re lucky enough to have a kid like that, your best strategy is to get out of their way and let 'em run.</p>
<p>there is a little rumor going around that the SAT is somewhat harder in fall then spring. Why? Because more seniors are taking the SAT in the fall and the test has to be geared towards the older students taking it. The spring test is supposedly taken mostly by juniors and is supposedly somewhat easier. this is all rumor, but do a search on CC SAT threads. that’s where I first heard about it. Btw, my son took PSAT in fall, then SAT in March and SAT II’s in June.</p>
<p>Your son’s strategy is sound. Have him practice, practice and then practice some more through August and September. Then he should take the SAT in early October, followed by the PSAT in mid-October. That will give him a great opportunity to post a high number on the PSAT (which he can only take once to qualify for NM). He can always take the SAT a few more times later on (Jan., March, June, Oct '12) if he feels like it might help.</p>
<p>jkiwmom, that’s interesting. When we were looking over options last fall, I read a rumor that the fall exams were slightly easier. My guess is that they’re all about the same, but some questions play to some student’s strengths, and others weaknesses.</p>
<p>Agree that it’s a good strategy since PSAT and SAT prep are essentially the same except for a little harder math and the essay. I also like it because if the student does well, it relieves the need to prep and take the SAT in the spring which can often be very busy, particularly for jrs who are likely taking AP and SAT II exams. And even if a retake is necessary after the Oct test, it leaves many possible sittings and a student can choose which one best fits their schedule.</p>
<p>D2 did this as I knew that once HS started, she would have little time for additional prep and it was better to strike while the iron was hot (while the prep was fresh in her mind). She didn’t do as well in the CR as hoped for in Oct, so she studied specifically for that section and retook in Dec because she knew that due to sports that she wouldn’t be able to test early in the year and she had other commitments in the spring which would make it difficult.</p>
<p>D1 did a slight variation on the approach, as she waited until seeing her PSAT scores in Dec and took the SAT in Jan, her only sitting. However, a kid has to be willing to study whatever is necessary over the Holidays to make this timing work, and they also have to be good at retaining what they prepped for in the summer.</p>
<p>Both are NMF and D1 was a Presidential Scholar nominee.</p>
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<p>These types of rumors float around every year, here’s how the CB levels out differences in test difficulty:</p>
<p>Both of my D’s took the PSAT and the SAT in Oct of junior year. Retook the SATs the next June. Scores were higher for both the second time around.</p>
<p>This rumor is persistent (on CC and in meatspace as well), and incorrect. The tests do vary a little in difficulty, but there is no consistent pattern such as “easy in spring, hard in fall”, or “easy in January, hard in May”. (In 2010, the math tests in almost every month turned out to be relatively easy compared to previous SATs). The difficulty of the test is essentially irrelevant: the scaling curve (which maps from “questions correct” to 200-800) adjusts accordingly (this is the result of “equating”, see entomom’s quote). Further, a student’s score is not affected by the scores of others taking the test at the same time.</p>
<p>Thanks for surfacing this. After talking to D2s GC this month, she said to plan on taking the SAT next March (of junior year.) But since D was very close to the NMSF cutoff on her sophomore PSAT, I like the idea of having her prep & take the SAT the weekend before the SAT. Because at that point the PSAT is more important.</p>
<p>^^Good idea. No specifically your GC, but I think many GCs have a general rule of March for the SAT with a retake in May/June if necessary. They feel that this gives kids longer to mature and learn more, and thus get a higher score. And while this may often be the case, I think many kids are ready earlier and might as well take advantage of getting it over with and putting emphasis on the PSAT at the same time. </p>
<p>And believe me, with rising college costs, having NM in one’s pocket is a nice thing these days!</p>
<p>Hello everyone - Thank you so much for your very insightful and thoughtful suggestions and advice. This eased my concern as this strategy worked well with lot of your kids and as entomom said “get it over with and putting emphasis on the PSAT at the same time” sounds like a plan. When I showed this thread to my S, he immediately said “see how many parents vouched my planning so just don’t worry”. </p>
<p>I am glad he decided to go for it but at times I am skeptical whether these teenagers can take important decisions with a balanced approach with pros/cons in view. So just thought to run it by you.</p>
<p>It’s really heartening to see lot of seasoned and rich:) experienced parents advising student and parent community on myriad of questions. It motivates me to give my 2c when I gather knowledge mass along the way.</p>
<p>I think it’s wise to be skeptical, whether the information is coming from a kid, a GC, another parent at your school, whoever. It never hurts to get more thoughts, and no one ever accused CC parents of being hesitant to voice their opinions ;).</p>
D1 is a NMS and we’re very thankful for the opportunities (and scholarship) that afforded her.</p>