To Everyone taking the PSAT this Wednesday (Oct 14)

Test Preparation
1

What have you done to prepare?
What do you think you will get on the PSAT?
Tips/strategies for the math, writing, or critical reading?
My writing score is horrible i get like 8-10 wrong every practice test, anyways I just wanted a discussion where we could all share tips as well as vent out about the PSAT.

2

Khan Academy and the Official Practice Test.

I’m just aiming to qualify for NMSF in California, I don’t know what the cutoff is yet but I think I can do it.

No, but I need tips on how to finish the math section in time.

3

@dsi411
No, but I need tips on how to finish the math section in time.

  • I always seem to finish early in both the math sections
    Tips
    Pace yourself- I know people say this a lot about the CR section but its true about the math section as well. I like to make sure i have 7-6minutes left when I get to the grid in problems for the no calc section
    On the non calculator part you should definitely be an expert at solving systems of equations and have the squares from 1-25 memorized
    On the calculator section you should know how to use your calculator to its FULL POTENTIAL I have a Casio graphing calculator I plug in my system of equations, quadratics, inequalities, and any absolute value question.
    You should know how to do these without a calculator but my understanding is that College board is letting me use the calculator so I might as well use to the best of it’s ability.
    P.S. What’s score do you want to get on the PSAT? and have you been getting that score on practice tests?
4

I got a 1230 (580 M, 650 R&W) on a Khan Academy practice test with no study in about an hour. I’m kind of worried about how I’ll do when I have time to obsess over questions. I usually do crappy on tests that I check over.

5

The new PSAT seems a lot easier than other tests. I had no problem finishing the reading (when reading through each piece throughly), writing, and math. Hopefully the NMSF cutoffs will be fair and not too high.

6

@DasDania I took the official practice test and got a 1500 but I didn’t time myself on the math section so I don’t know how I’ll do on the real test. Thanks for the tips.