When to start studying for PSAT?

Test Preparation
1

<p>When is it a good time to start studying for the PSAT? Also, where do you get PSAT study materials/books?</p>

2

<p>I never studied for the PSAT, since you may as well study for the SAT instead (which is slightly different and more advanced). The only reason to study for PSAT is if you’re seriously aiming for Natl. Merit Scholar.</p>

3

<p>So when do I start studying for the PSAT if I am aiming for the National Merit Scholar? Thanks!</p>

4

<p>I don’t know, maybe a couple weeks to a couple months? Have you taken any previous PSATs?</p>

5

<p>Right now?</p>

<p>Don’t wait until a week before to cram in tons of information. Study a little bit every day and take a practice SAT once in awhile for practice. Start studying as soon as possible.</p>

6

<p>Do they have PSAT books or you have to study the SAT books? I’m going to be sophomore when school starts…it’s still summer if that makes any difference.</p>

7

<p>@ rspence : I have never taken any previous PSATs.</p>

<p>I heard that there’s geometry in the SATs. I haven’t taken geometry yet but I will when school starts. Will there be geometry on the PSAT? Thanks!</p>

8

<p>There is geometry on the PSAT. The PSAT is basically a mini SAT without an essay. </p>

<p>I wouldn’t worry too much about geometry though. If you’re learning it right now, that’s sufficient. Most of the geometry concepts that appear on the PSAT are common sense anyways.</p>

<p>There are no (good) PSAT books that I know of. If you prepare with SAT books though, that should be sufficient.</p>

9

<p>Even if you are about to become a sophomore, if I remember correctly, you can’t even qualify for National Merit if you’re a sophomore taking the test. That qualification happens Junior year. See this thread- <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1076854-can-sophomores-get-national-merit.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1076854-can-sophomores-get-national-merit.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

10

<p>Ohhh! Okay, so do you take the PSAT again junior year and then you can qualify? So, the PSAT taken during sophomore year is not really a big deal but just to see where you are at? Thanks!</p>

11

<p>Yes. I took the PSAT during freshman and sophomore year. You can only qualify as a NMSF during junior year, but taking the PSAT earlier is good for practice (and for practice tests, because now I have two extra practice tests I can use to prep myself for the PSAT that actually matters haha)</p>

12

<p>Since you have a lot of time, I would recommend studying vocab words. Those are the hardest to learn and if you get a lot of exposure, you will retain them for your Junior year sat (or whenever you take it). Try Direct Hits volumes 1 and 2. approx. 400 words</p>

13

<p>@risubu: Is Direct Hits Volumes 1 & 2 the best vocab prep book for the SAT?</p>

14

<p>Direct Hits is great, especially if you have trouble remembering the words on your own. If you’re a quick learner though, and you don’t mind reading lists then I wouldn’t get Direct Hits, and instead just study words off of free lists that you can get online. It would save you ~30 dollars.</p>

15

<p>@girlycheerleader, PSAT has very basic geometry. If you can only qualify for NMS during junior year, I wouldn’t stress out PSAT that much. Take it once, see where you’re doing well and struggling at, then start reviewing.</p>