<p>^This… but opposite.</p>
<p>Fignewton–I found the College Board’s information to be confusing, but I think you are right. The following quotes are from the College Board’s website. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
[quote]
Percentiles are based on the most recent scores earned by students in the previous year’s graduating class who took the SAT during high school. <a href=“Italics%20mine.”>/quote</a></p>
<p>The first statement (from the professional part of the website) implies to me that the class of 2012’s results are the basis for percentiles, because 2011 graduates couldn’t be considered “current-year college-bound seniors” in January 2012, for example. On the other hand, I think it would be too difficult to compute percentiles based the results of current-year seniors (class of 2012) within 2 1/2 weeks, and that would negate the reason to include the phrase “at any time during high school.” Therefore, I think you are right, the class of 2011’s results are used from October 2011 to June 2012, and the College Board should clarify its wording.</p>
<p>While my statement was inaccurate, I think the point I was trying to communicate is still true. Let’s see if this works: A first-semester junior who scores in the 96th percentile on the October 2011 SAT should not feel that he could not have scored in 99th percentile of the October 2011 PSAT because his percentile on the SAT is based on the results of students who took the test as juniors and seniors (who therefore had longer to learn the tested material) but his percentile on the PSAT is based on the results of students who, like him, are first-semester juniors.</p>
<p>Of course, my statement is based on my belief that students will tend to do better on the SAT the further along they are in their high school studies.</p>
<p>I’ve read your second paragraph as well, and grant that it is possible everything you wrote is true. However, even if the “PSAT times 10” approach gives an accurate estimate of someone’s ultimate SAT score, that doesn’t mean that a student’s October SAT score can predict his October PSAT score. A student’s SAT score tends to increase over time with experience taking the test and additional learning. In fact, the College Board reports:
</p>
<p>I am simultaneously seeking truth and hoping that my son did comparatively better on the PSAT than on the October SAT!</p>
<p>perazziman</p>
<p>I noticed the similarity also. Is the book you’re referring to “Erica’s” book? If it is, it’s a jewel. I’m afraid too much time was spent there and not enough on math. But it did get the result hoped for.</p>
<p>PSAT 2010 - 180</p>
<p>did alot of preparation after this (around 40 hrs of private tutoring and individual practice)</p>
<p>I thought that the math was fair for the 2011 PSAT, writing was pretty easy i thought, but CR was crazy hard.</p>
<p>^My sentiments exactly.</p>
<p>I got a 223 PSAT last year as a sophomore. And frankly, I thought the Ocotber PSAT was harder ACROSS the board. I would be happy with a 215+. I thought the October 1 SAT was easier, much easier. I got a 2360 (760 CR). Psychologically, I was worse on the PSAT because it was only a 1 chance test. The SAT my mindset was I can retake it, so I was less nervous.</p>
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</p>
<p>The PSAT-score-times-10 estimate is accurate assuming that no other preparation, learning, and so forth occurs, so you’re right, it is less useful as a predictor of a student’s ultimate SAT scores. Generally people do improve from the PSAT to the SAT since time passes, they have more school, they prepare more for the test, etc. (Though I have to admit, 40 points combined isn’t a large increase.)</p>
<p>I assumed that a student wouldn’t assimilate too much between the October SAT and the PSAT.</p>
<p>You’re right, that CB percentile wording is awful. The “student” portion of the web site says it more clearly:</p>
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</p>
<p>And on the actual score report received by students:</p>
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</p>
<p>Hopefully you will find warmth in this tiny nugget of truth. And good luck to your son!</p>
<p>I don’t get it. The PSAT means basically nothing.
And lol at getting over 100%. I thought my high school was easy…</p>
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</p>
<p>Because the PSAT is the qualifying exam for National Merit Scholarships, it meant about $5500 to my daughter, as she received a $2500 National Merit Scholarship and will receive $1000 per year from her college in each of her subsequent years.</p>
<p>For students who choose to accept the generous scholarships given to National Merit Semifinalists by colleges such as the University of Alabama, the PSAT means about $160,000.</p>
<p>Oct 1, 2011 SAT 2320</p>
<p>Oct 12, 2011 PSAT 229</p>
<p>Pretty darn consistant!!!</p>
<p>222 on PSAT 2011.
2270 on SAT Oct 2011.</p>
<p>Yeeee.
I’m in WA, so I have a 80% chance of getting NMSF :D</p>
<p>Mascara what were the sub scores, if you do not mind me asking? thanks</p>
<p>I got exactly the same score: PSAT x 10 = SAT (Oct 2011)</p>
<p>October SAT: 2360
October PSAT: 219</p>
<p>My subscores:</p>
<p>Oct 2011 SAT -
W: 800
CR: 720
M: 750
^ I may have messed up on my CR and M scores, but that’s kind of roughly what I got.</p>
<p>PSAT:
W: 71
M: 77
CR: 74</p>
<p>PSAT results came in, so I though I would update:</p>
<p>*Oct 2010 PSAT: 173 </p>
<p>Oct 2011 SAT: 2000 (M 690, CR 690, W 620) </p>
<p>*Oct 2011 PSAT: 219 (M 690, CR 740, W 760)</p>
<p>*PSAT improved by 46 points.</p>
<p>Math score did not improve after taking the SAT. Overall, taking the SAT before the PSAT I think helped him relax and do better. </p>
<p>Historically, National Merit Semifinalist cut off has never been above 219 in TX. So, who knows, he may have achieved (what we thought was) the impossible.</p>