Hi, I took the new PSAT and my score was 1250 and in the 92nd to 94th percentile. However I know the score goes up to 1600. I was wondering what matters more, the sore or the percentile. Should I try to get more in the 1400-1600 range or is 1250 good because the percentile is good? thanks!
Isn’t the new PSAT out of 1520?
Look at the colleges you’re interested in applying to see and see their average SAT scores (or, if numbers are out of 2400, then compare percentiles). It all depends on where you’re aiming.
The percentile is bogus and inflated for the PSAT. 1250 is a good score, but as mentioned, look at colleges you are interested for the best comparison of where you fall.
Are you a sophomore who is planning to take the PSAT again as a Junior, or are you asking about whether you need to work at getting a higher SAT score than what your PSAT score predicts?
By the way, the percentiles given for the new PSAT were based on a study group, not the actual test takers, so you can’t conclude much from them.
@bodangles is correct that the maximum score is 1520. Supposedly the maximum for the new PSAT score was set at less than 1600 because the SAT is a more difficult test. This is to allow you to estimate what you would have gotten if you had taken the SAT at that same sitting, and estimate how much improvement might be needed before you actually take it.
I’m a Junior who is taking the new SAT in May. My school requires freshmen - juniors take the PSAT
I can’t really do that with the new SAT because no new scores are in
Many years ago, I read that someone who got a perfect score on the SAT kept a study book with him and practiced over and over with it. Get one of the study books for the new SAT, like Barron’s, Kaplan, or Princeton Review. Keep the book handy, and read the strategy sections and do a few problems whenever you get pockets of spare time. In the last few weeks before the test, get someone to time you, and take several practice tests. Then review the answers to the questions you miss. Sometimes when you are already good at something it is even easier to get better at it.