<p>I scored a 213 on my PSAT which I took sophomore year. I had 71 English, 65 Math, and 77 Writing.</p>
<p>How much of an improvement can I expect when I take the test again this October?</p>
<p>I doubled up in math last year (Geometry and Algebra 2), so I think I've learned a lot of math.</p>
<p>Areyou taking the PSAT or the SAT next year? From those scores, you look like you'll get 750+ CR, 700+ Math and 770-800 Writing. The more you take it, the better you get (I didn't bother, but got okay scores anyway). Are you aiming for National Merit? I think you'll make it.</p>
<p>I'm going to be a junior and I'll take the PSAT again next year. I am hoping to be a national merit scholar. Thanks for your reply.</p>
<p>Who knows?</p>
<p>Improvement on PSATs is not guaranteed, due to the fickle nature of the "curve." A careless error here and there can drastically drop your score. If you don't prep and take it in October, you'll probably increase your math to 70-74, but your English and Writing scores might decrease.</p>
<p>Carl, you're above SAT preparation. Remember, you're a shoe-in for all colleges. Well, maybe not for Iowa State; it's getting competative these days but for HYPSCDMFLGLUTDK, you're definitely in! Seriously though, if I were you, I'd drop all college prospects and pursue that drug trafficking career of your's, making mega G's. Why go to college when you have ESPN football and enough crack to satiate a lifetime's worth of cravings? Honestly, College = waste of time and effort. Obviously someone of your intellectual caliber can figure that one out.</p>
<p>Carl J-- here's a link to a survey thread on a related subject of improvements from PSAT to SAT. Beware that although increases from PSAT>>SAT were reported on average, there was quite a bit of scatter in the data, meaning than although most people improved, some went the other way. Suggest you look this thread over to get a feel for how others have performed with scores similar to yours. I believe you'll also see a few posts from people who reported a soph PSAT along with a junior PSAT.</p>
<p>Hec summed it up...."who knows?".....after compiling & studying all of the data in the referenced thread, I am encouraged that significant improvement seems likely, particularly for scorers with lower initial PSAT #'s. BUT, don't let fate control your destinty.....do everything you can to prepare (i.e., take practice tests) and get some rest....all of the conventional wisdom you hear!</p>
<p>I'm remembering last year's PSAT where one wrong on math lead to a 76 (not for me personally, but for many (angry) friends).</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Read this: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=85058%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=85058</a> in regards to Carl Johnson.</p>
<p>yeah, i took the PSAT as a sophomore last year and drank Red Bull the morning before - i got allergic or something, and I felt like puking all the way through the test until the writing section.
I missed one STUPID math question (I accidententally confused counterclockwise with clockwise) and i went down to a 760.
I got a r 730 m 760 and w 700 - I have been preparing a lot since last October, because a person I know got a 228 his sophomore year, and got a 228 again. . .I really hope I won't get worse this October. . .
btw, does Red Bull or other energy drinks really help on these tests?</p>
<p>I don't remember what I got sophomore year, but I know I improved junior year. Don't even bother studying for the PSAT; if you start studying for the SAT, your PSAT will most likely go up as well.</p>
<p>I have nothing to hide. 197 PSAT here. Utter garbage, but the real SAT scores were infinitely better.</p>
<p>People have massive jumps and massive drops quite regularly...</p>
<p>Someone I know increased 33 points from sophomore to junior year</p>
<p>And someone dropped about 15 points too...</p>
<p>PSAT can't predict jack. I got a 189 my first, and a 207 my second time. On the real SAT, I got a 2350. I think your mind shifts to a higher gear when it knows it's clutch time. The PSAT is two-a-days, while the SAT is the final drive of the Superbowl.</p>
<p>True, but you're not going to get to the Superbowl without going through Two-A-Days first...</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Most people I know scored better on the SAT.</p>
<p>wait. . .the PSAT is supposed to be preparation for the SAT?
I'm just doint it for the scholarships. . .</p>
<p>The PSAT is easier, but the questions are similar...but as we've all said, it's not exactly an accurate indicator of how well you will do on the SAT. </p>
<p>And, even if you get a high score on the PSAT, it doesn't guarantee that you will get scholarship money. Only half of the finalists get money.</p>
<p>Only the finalists get money?? How high does one need to score in order to qualify for finalist?</p>
<p>I know the scores of two people from my school who finaled: 230 and 232. One had a 1600 SAT and the other 1580. . .but I think scores are much less important once you semifinal. These two people had great connections with teachers and great recs. (Once is going to Harvard and the other MIT)</p>
<p>You need a specific score (depending on your state) to be a semifinalist. Then you have to submit your SAT scores, grades and an essay...most semis move on to finalist. </p>
<p>I got a 231 on my PSAT and 1580 on my SAT. My GPA was around a 3.9 (though my school doesn't calculate GPA). I graduated cum laude and I'm going to Princeton, but I still didn't get any scholarship money! I didn't mean to brag, but I'm just noting that scores and grades don't guarantee anything. It's a 50/50 chance, which is pretty good, but you should also try for a lot of other scholarships if you really need the money.</p>