<p>Lately, I've been studying really hard for the SATs. I'm at about 2200 consistently. I'm not an amazing test-taker, and I've had to kick butt to get there. A couple days ago my Mom asked if I had also been studying the PSATs. Is studying for the SATs sufficient, or are they very different? I'll be taking the SATs first, ironically, in October, because I figure I'm going to want to take them multiple times. Should I study for the PSAT as well?</p>
<p>They’re pretty much the same; the SAT is just longer and has an essay. You may want to take a practice PSAT or two after you take the SAT just to get used to the format, but in terms of content you should be fine.</p>
<p>For the PSAT, WATCH OUT FOR THAT CURVE. The PSAT curve can be absolutely brutal. One question wrong on writing was a 76. I heard the math curve is even worse.</p>
<p>Nope, it’s same for math. One year, I got two wrong and that was a 72. Another year, I got one wrong and got a 76.</p>
<p>I could be wrong, but I think if you’re studying properly for the SAT you’ll do fine on the PSAT.</p>
<p>Okay, I think I’ll practice once or twice before the PSAT (the dates are 4 days apart). But the vocab on the two test is pretty similar, you would say, right?</p>
<p>The only real difference in questions is Math, which is easier. Besides that, the questions should be the same types that you will see on the SAT. So yes, vocab for both should be the same.</p>
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<p>I think so too. And yeah, that curve is rough. Omitted a math question by accident, got a 77.</p>
<p>The curve may be harsh, but it’s entirely fair because 1. it is an easier test and 2. with fewer questions to answer (fewer chances to go wrong) each wrong/omitted question is going to hurt more.</p>
<p>I studied lots and lots for the PSAT (in hopes of becoming a NMF) using SAT study materials and it worked just fine. I found really no difference in content between the two tests except that the PSAT was shorter and had no essay. I’ve heard the SAT math is harder, but I actually did better on this than the PSAT math (this was after a year of PreCalc though). A note on the curve: I got one wrong on Critical Reading and still got an 80 (I think…I’ll have to check that). I guess I would ask are you already registered and paid for the SAT because I would say retaking is not as necessary as you might think. I studied, took it in June, and don’t need to take it again. It’s a brutal, ridiculously long test and you won’t want to give up another one of your Saturdays to retake it.</p>
<p>I haven’t registered for it yet, but I know I want to take the SAT this fall. I have to take it in October because I can’t in November. I don’t think that I’ll do amazing, but I think I can do well enough. Will colleges look at me oddly if I only have a Junior year SAT? I highly doubt that I will be satisfied with my score, but the off chance that I am, will they discard it because it was taken junior year? I want to apply ED fall of senior year, and I DEFINITELY don’t want to be rushing to get a last minute SAT in.</p>
<p>Thanks rprenser. That’s what I wanted to know.</p>
<p>No, most people take it their junior year, and I believe that about 50% of people only take it once.</p>
<p>What’s the curve?</p>
<p>Thanks, dareallycoolguy0. </p>
<p>Don’t know the curve, sorry nintendo360.</p>