Have you found your SAT score to be similar to your PSAT score? (i.s. Does the PSAT accurately predict how one will score on the SAT?) If your SAT score wasn’t similar to your SAT score was it higher or lower? Any thoughts on why it changed? Trying to decide between SAT or ACT and only have PSAT score to base which test to pursue. Don’t want to take multiple times. TIA.
The PSAT is designed to predict what score you would receive if you took the SAT that day. The College Board knows most will not take the SAT until spring of junior year or fall of senior and wants you to see some growth - a higher score - when you take the SAT at a later date. Anticipate a higher score on the SAT at a later date, especially after finishing algebra 2.
There is no reason to take an official test multiple times to decide - simply use the free practice ones. There are 8 full SATs available free online at both College Board and Khan Academy, of which numbers 5 to 8 were actual prior administrations. There are also a couple additional QAS copies circulating on the internet. Do not take an official test until you are satisfied with your prep.
@evergreen5 Thanks so much–super helpful. Will use the practice tests to get baseline! 
From my personal experience, I took the PSAT and have been doing worse on the SAT practice tests I have done. It’s strange but I think that the factors of the longer test time and slightly harder questions should be taken into account as well. On the other hand, magical things happen on test day.
@counselinggirl Take into consideration that the PSAT is graded out of 1520, and the SAT is out of 1600. From my own experience on both tests and from what I’ve gathered from friends’ scores, your PSAT score + ~80 points = your SAT score.
Though the SAT is slightly more difficult, you will also study for it more (hopefully).
My D17 raised her score by 30 points. My son by 100. Both took the same SAT date (March) although two years apart. I believe that my son spent more time in earnest prep as he was planning for this to be his only exam. My D already had an ACT she could submit and the March 2016 test was inaugural so we didn’t know what to expect. Also, she only needed the SAT to confirm her PSAT for National Merit. Both used Kahn and the CB practice exams.
@hyperpi314 and @JBStillFlying - thanks so much for the helpful info! Going to do more prep before sitting for the exam
I got the exact same score on the PSAT and SAT. I took the PSAT in October of sophomore year, then the SAT in March of that same school year. If you study though, which I did not do very thoroughly, your SAT should be higher than your PSAT. I just took the ACT (this April) and have yet to get my score back. Either way, you should take a practice test of both the SAT and ACT to see which one you prefer. That’s my biggest regret because I spent my time practicing for the SAT (and not improving my score at all), then taking the ACT without studying at all, realizing it was a far easier test for me. Good luck! If you have fee waivers, I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to take them a few times if you need to.
I don’t think PSAT tells you anything. I got a 1320 on my PSAT (of course I didn’t study for it) and a 1590 on my SAT ( and of course I prepared for it). Good preparation will increase your score greatly.