Should you wait to get the PSAT results before taking th SAT?

Parents Forum
1

<p>My son is a rising Junior. He took the PSAT last year just to see how he would do without any preparation. (He did okay- 62 V 63 M and 56 W (YIKES!)) He will be studying for the PSAT/SAT this year. I was wondering if he studies for the PSAT if he should be taking the SAT closer to that time? I know that the results of the PSAT can show you some weak areas, but he has it from last year? I'm sure that he needs to take it at least twice, but if he takes it in March...May/June are so pressure filled with AP and SAT II tests. The fall of the senior year seems late or is that a good time? Just wondering..</p>

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<p>I took my SAT in October and my PSAT shortly after that.</p>

<p>75M 73W 65CR (213)
800M 730W 690CR (2220)</p>

<p>Main thing is I missed 1 on the PSAT Math and that docked me 50 points.</p>

<p>I took the SAT again in June</p>

<p>790M 680CR 760W (2230)</p>

<p>I took my SAT in the Fall b/c I was worried about SAT2s and AP exams. Lucky for me this gave me the luxury of taking the SAT in June; I didnt have to. Also AP exams are a boat load to study for esp if you school doesnt cover all of the material like mine (a lot of selfstudying). I would take the SAT in the Fall, probably winter tho (Dec and Jan) if you do not feel ready. The PSAT in my opinion is harer to score high on b/c there is such a poor curve (high pentalies) so dont let that dictate your ability. SAT is easy. Get an 800 on one section and then that really helps you (then you only need a 600 to get a 1400 and a 590 gets you a 1390)</p>

3

<p>D found that her English class during junior year was very useful for the SAT. She took in Oct and June of Junior year and did significantly better on the June test. So I'd hold off till the March test date, and would probably wait till June.</p>

<p>As for test taking, she took SAT subject tests in May (to take advantage of AP prep for May tests). SAT and ACT in June. Except for 1 more Subject test, to be taken in the fall, she's done. </p>

<p>If you think that May/June are busy times, senior fall is a nightmare--with hard classes and college apps. You are smart to try to get as much testing out of the way before fall.</p>

4

<p>Depends on the kid. My son took the SAT first as a sophomore, then took the PSAT two weeks later. He repeated this pattern his junior year in the fall and did well enough to not have to take the SAT again. That really helped in May/June with all of the AP/SAT I/IB testing.</p>

5

<p>dumb question here:</p>

<p>what is the reason to take the PSAT after the SAT? Isn't the SAT the one that 'counts'? And why would someone want to retake the PSAT?</p>

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<p>^^katliamom, Only the junior-year PSAT counts for the National Merit Scholarship program (except for students graduating from HS in 3 years).</p>

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<p>I agree with the idea that it depends on the kid, and on the school system. I think it makes sense to take the SAT IIs in May, the same time the AP tests are taken. If your kid is a good test taker, then the earlier s/he takes the SATs junior year, the better. </p>

<p>Many kids see a vast improvement in scores on tests taken in the fall of their senior year. A lot of maturing can happen just over the summer.</p>

<p>My daughter took the SATs in April of junior year and October of senior year, and the SAT IIs in May and June of junior year. It worked for her.</p>

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<p>Pretty much all the kids in our high school take the PSAT as sophomores, and then take the one that counts for National Merit in October of their Senior year.</p>

<p>My kids scheduled their first SAT tests in the Spring of their Junior years, which helped them narrow down their summer college visits. They then took the SAT again in the Fall. One of my kids chose to take the SAT for a third time in the late Fall (it really didn't make a difference). Another kid took the ACT in the late Fall of his Senior year on a whim. Since he did really well on the ACT without any studying at all -- well enough that all of his scholarship offers were increased -- I'm recommending that my last kid plan on the ACT too.</p>

9

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<p>So juniors who have a chance at National Merit semifinalist may take the SAT the week before to prep for the PSAT. Sounds backwards, I know, it happens.</p>