<p>As I was looking at my S's HS website to find out the date of a sporting event in October, I noticed that his whole Freshman class is signed up to take the PSAT in mid-October. I bought him the college board's Official SAT Study Guide, and suggested he look over it before taking the test. He said that since this test does not count, he doesn't need to do any kind of preparation.</p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>If there is nothing "tied" to it, I wouldn't waste time prepping. If he wants to improve after receiving his scores, he has two years to prepare.</p>
<p>Thanks Doubleplay!</p>
<p>As far as I know, there's nothing tied to it. The school hasn't even told us about it. I just saw it on the calendar on the school's website.</p>
<p>I was advised to do just the opposite....let them take the PSAT as 9th or 10th graders with no preparation at all. That will be the true "raw score." If it's pretty high with no preparation, then you may decide that it's worth the money for a prep course. If the original score is no where close to Commended, must less Semi-Finalist, best not to worry about it.</p>
<p>Since there is nothing tied to it until 11th grade it is indeed a time to get information on the types of questions they need review on. When they take the PSAT and obtain their score, the guidance office should also be able to provide the testing booklet for them so they can use that along with their score sheet to work through the questions they missed and that may pinpoint particular areas of study. I would save the prep time for when they need it.</p>
<p>the only reason a Frosh should prep for this test is to for eligibility for some summer programs, like Duke TIP. I disagree with missy, however. The Math section includes a lot of geometry, which most Frosh have not yet even seen. Thus, a score close to commended should not even be expected.</p>
<p>You'd think...but every year there are 7th graders who ace the math part of the real SAT in the Duke TIPs program. I don't understand it, but it happens.</p>
<p>I don't think subject preparation is necessary when taking PSAT as a freshman. Becoming familiar with the directions so you don't have to waste time reading them should be sufficient. Don't be discouraged by a low freshman score. Very few freshman have had the coursework in middle school to score really well on the PSAT. My son improved over 40 points from freshman to junior year without any special prep.</p>
<p>Agree with standrews, just have him read enough to be familiar with the format of the test. Taking it cold when it doesn't count is a good way to see where he needs to study in the future. Taking the PSAT as a freshman is earlier than usual, so no need to put undue emphasis on it now.</p>
<p>My daughter took the PSAT as a freshman last year because it was required. She didn't prep and her scores were so surprising to us that it helped us to focus that her range of schools may be different than her sister's. I also think that taking it that way removed some of the mystery from the test.</p>
<p>Usually the counselor's office has a stack of newsprint PSAT guides that include one practice test. This year I'd have your kid do that official practice test to get familiar with the test. Next year, maybe a little more prep. You'll be able to see if his scores are in range for NMF and know if he should prep more for the real thing junior year. IMO freshman year is too early to worry about it--I'd save the big book for later--unless your kid really wants to do it!</p>
<p>My D took the PSAT for last year as a soph. I've noticed that her practice test scores in the prep book she's doing now have increased 15-20 points from last year--better than I thought. Apparently significant gains are possible between years and with more practice.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your help! I will make sure he is familiar with the format/directions of the PSAT, see how he does, and take it from there.</p>