Hi,
I have been trying to find sources for PSAT prep. From what I have understood is that the PSAT prep is the same as SAT prep. You use the same material to prepare for PSAT that you use for SAT.
Then,it means that kids who want to take ACT have to now prepare again in addition to the SAT (for PSAT)?
Or am I missing something?
Thanks!
Prepping for the PSAT/SAT involves sharpening up your math, reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing and grammatical skills. You also have to learn how to time manage, which means answering questions quickly and knowing how much time to spend on a question before guessing/moving on to the next. Hard questions don’t count more than easy ones. All of these subject matters and skills are transferable to the ACT. The ACT includes a “Science” section and for the most part involves answering more questions in a shorter period of time, although by reputation it’s questions are more straightforward. Bottom line, studying for the PSAT will also help significantly for the ACT, especially after the College Board modified the SAT to be a bit more straightforward.
If your child has a better aptitude for the ACT based on the assessments comparing the SAT/ACT, between fall of junior year and fall of senior year, you have plenty of time to prep for the ACT, including familiarization with the Science section and getting faster on answering questions.
Yesterday @AroundHere suggested on another post that if a child does well on the PSAT, this is a good indication of how they will do on the SAT, and you can skip the ACT. This seems like a good strategy. Also, you can look at how the two tests vary, and try to make an educated guess as to which suits your child better.
For a 10th grade practice PSAT, use SAT materials. There are not enough released PSAT tests and you’ll run out. For the real PSAT in 11th, use the released PSAT and PSAT specific prep if you think you can hit a NM scholarship score. If you’re not in the running for a scholarship, it’s actually OK to skip the junior year PSAT, IMHO, and just focus on the admissions tests that count.
You only need one of the ACT and SAT. If the PSAT goes well, just take SAT. Otherwise, give the ACT a try.
Life’s too short to take more tests than you have to.
Thank you for your replies. I was looking for PSAT study programs but did not find any during summer. So, is it OK to prep for SAT assuming it will carry over to SAT?
SAT has slightly harder questions and is a longer test. But the question types are all the same. I agree with you, taking for the ACT would require extra prep, whereas if you already prep for the PSAT, you will have already prepared for the SAT.
It is true that if you get a 1350 on the PSAT, you will probably get a 1350 on the SAT if you do not prepare between those tests.
“Yesterday @AroundHere suggested on another post that if a child does well on the PSAT, this is a good indication of how they will do on the SAT, and you can skip the ACT.”
I will quibble with this a little bit. My D did very well on the PSAT (will be a NMSF), but did better on the ACT than the SAT. It think it’s worth exploring both tests to see which is a better fit for a particular student.
Thank you all. I have been trying to find the various test prep options. They are all very expensive especially the most famous Princeton Review. And I am not even talking about the private or anything like that. If there is a cheaper option (other than Khan academy) that you have been happy with, please suggest.