PSAT Mishap... Need help/advice.

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hey Guys,</p>

<p>Im about to cry, but basically I lost 14 points on writing for bubbling errors (not an ambiguous case, I clearly had the correct answers marked in my booklet but must have started one line off for 4 of the answers, as I got 4 in a row wrong and the letters I bubbled for each of the 4 questions were the answers to the following question)... </p>

<p>Normally its like, oh its the PSAT, that doesnt really matter, NMSC isnt that big a deal, your fine. But I'm applying to really selective research programs for over the summer (like RSI), and I know that with my 213 I am not a competitive applicant.</p>

<p>What can I do? The answer is probably nothing as far as my actual score, but it would even be helpful to have a note on my file that it would have been a 2270 if not for bubbling mistakes. Even if I could have my scores cancelled/hidden, so that I could show them no scores instead of scores that dont cut it, that would be beneficial.</p>

<p>Like I said, its not even one of those cases where it is disputable, as there aren't any marks on the questions in the booklet - aside from the circles around the correct answers - on any of the 4 questions in a row that I bubbled incorrectly. The whole thing is kind of strange though, because the issue was localized to 4 questions in the middle of the whole thing, and you'd think that if I skipped a line in the middle all of the rest would be one off, so there is a sliver of hope that the computer screwed something up (we ordered my bubble-in booklet today to check for that)...</p>

<p>ANY ADVICE???</p>

2

<p>If potential summer employers are asking you to provide standard test scores, with PSAT being one of the options, you have an easy solution. Take the SAT in January or March, and use that score. There is a good chance that based on your comments about your 213 PSAT being more like 230 you should do very well on the SAT.</p>

3

<p>the applications for these programs are due in January, and I am required to send scores for all exams I have taken</p>

4

<p>Relax–the rest of your resume could compensate for your score.</p>

<p>I got 213 as well, by the way. All thanks to stupid errors I would have corrected had I been even half paying attention. I should have gotten 230+. I feel your pain.</p>

5

<p>If you view your 213 as a literal translation to the SAT (2130) You still fall (roughly) in the top 2-3% of testers. I would say that is very competitive. RSI it a tricky program to get in to even with a score higher than yours. However, just like colleges they are looking for well-rounded engaged students–qualities that can be better communicated in your resume. All is not lost!</p>