<p>The common rule of thumb is to multiple the PSAT score by 10 to get your SAT score. Does this understate the SAT score?</p>
<p>If a students scores on the PSAT were Reading 68, Math 70 and Writing 63. The total is 201 and estimated SAT score of 2010. The PSAT score were all at the 96th percentile (2009 data). The SAT at the 96th percentile (2010 data) is Reading 710, Math 730 and Writing 710. The SAT total is 2150. That is difference of 110 points.</p>
<p>Can someone explain the difference? Which estimate is better?</p>
<p>The 2009 PSAT scores for juniors at the 96th percentile were 69, 70, and 68 for reading, math, and writing, respectively, for a total of 207 (SAT equivalent of 2070), about 80 points lower than the SAT data. The problem is that you are comparing two different groups: juniors in the class of 2011 (they took the PSAT in 2009) and seniors in the class of 2010. Even if you were comparing the same classes, you would expect differences: on average, people improve their PSAT scores by about 20 points on each section from an October PSAT to a spring SAT.</p>
<p>A good way to use the PSATx10 estimate is to imagine taking the SAT right after the PSAT, without additional prep or school work. PSATx10 is the best estimate as to what you would get.</p>