PSAT help

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I'm currently a junior in California, and I'm taking the PSAT in a couple of days. I'm aiming to be a National Merit scholar, and I've only begun preparing about 4 days ago. Last year I took the PSAT with minimal prep and scored a 216. The cutoff score in California is really high--223- and I'm worried that I'm not going to make it. I've taken 3 practice tests already, and on the first I scored a 222, the second a dismal 208 though it was taken under less than ideal conditions i.e. construction work outside, no timer, chatting with parents etc.... The third I took I scored a 214, even though I really put my mind to work. The thing is, I was tired by the time I took the second one, since I had taken the 208 earlier in the day, so I tried to get through it as quickly as possible by checking only the few questions I wasn't sure of and not even glancing at the others I had already answered. I ended up having about 8-10 minutes left at the end of each section to go back and check, but I just invariably skipped right to the next section.On the actual PSAT I will definitely check my answers. Also, does it matter that I didn't take any breaks between sections at all? Also, I realize that it was not the best idea to take two practice tests so close together but I was so affected by the 208 that I studied up a bit on the sections I had the most trouble on and tried again, just for the sake of my ego :) </p>

<p>My main concern is whether these practice PSAT scores are accurate reflections of my score on the actual PSAT this Saturday. Are practice tests generally accurate reflections, or can they vary drastically from your actual score? What do people tend to do better on; practice tests or the real deal? </p>

<p>Also, is the cutoff score for NMS going to be 223 in Cali again or something else? Hopefully lower :)</p>

<p>Thanks everybody!</p>

2

<p>The best thing you can do right now is relax. Any prep unfortunately needed to be done earlier. Going into the test with a positive frame of mind will help. Really try to enjoy the test. Find a way to be interested in the reading passages. Good luck.</p>

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<p>The cutoffs change every year depending on scores that year. No way to know until the new starts coming out in late August.</p>

<p>As others have said, NMF is nice to have, but doesn’t make a huge difference in college admissions. However, your SAT score can make a huge difference. So… use study techniques that start months ahead and work you steadily toward the goal of a high score, not just starting a few days ahead of time.</p>