Why does it take so long to get PSAT results?

<p>PSAT was today -- I'm hearing that results won't be back until mid-December or early January, and I can't understand why they take longer than the SAT scores, since there isn't even an essay to grade -- it is all machine scored.</p>

<p>hmmm...i wish i knew...</p>

<p>either way, we get our scores, though. so no big deal =]</p>

<p>don't know... sucks though, i agree</p>

<p>Because there are more students taking the PSAT than at one testing of the SAT.</p>

<p>The results are sent to the schools in early December. It is then up to the school to decide when to distribute the score reports. Some give them out in December. For other schools, the counselors are too busy in December (think of all those recommendations/school reports that have to go out) and will wait til January. Also, the PSAT people prefer that the schools show their powerpoint on what the scores mean to students and parents. Finding an available night in December is difficult.</p>

<p>My daughter got her PSAT scores in early December. I think it's up to the school, though. My D's school sent them home to us. I think our public high school calls each kid down to the office & goes over it with them. Because of that, it takes them longer to get them back to the students. You can search last year's PSAT score thread & you will be able to see the time frame for people last year.</p>

<p>It could be worse. Our Kansas school district does not give out the PSAT scores until the last day of school in MAY. I will be taking issue w/that now that I know they get the scores in Dec......</p>

<p>Wow. That's absurd.</p>

<p>I really don't understand why the CB doesn't make the scores available on the website like they do for the SAT.</p>

<p>College Board apparently thinks first-time test-takers need in-person help understanding what the scores mean. Perhaps that is correct.</p>

<p>The Mom:</p>

<p>Your district is just rediculous. If a child is related (parent is employee/retiree) to one of the Corporate sponsors, the student is maybe eligible for Corporate money, which is separate from the NM competition. In such cases, students MUST know their score so they can contact the Corp and complete essays or whatever else is required.</p>

<p>BB - Notification at end of junior year of scores does not delay NM status. NM semis are announced in Sept of senior year, followed by essay and other paperwork. Older S was NM, and I just thought it was "normal" that PSAT scores were handed out at the end of May junior year. Now I know otherwise, and will pursue current junior's scores in Jan.</p>

<p>This is important to me this time around, as second S does not want to take the SAT, just the ACT. He is taking ACT next Saturday w/hopes of a "one time" test sitting. However, if he is NM qualifier, he will need to have a strong SAT score to make NM finalist. Hence, I need his PSAT score before May to get him to take the SAT if needed.</p>

<p>I want my psat scores. :(</p>

<p>me too.......i can't stop thinking about them</p>

<p>TheMom:</p>

<p>Yes, I know about notification timings. But, I have experience of missing a corporate filing bcos by May it was too late!</p>

<p>When my daughter took the PSAT last year in freshman year, she was given an access code to the Collegeboard website and was able to access her entire PSAT, all questions, answers, wrong answers, whether the questions were easy or hard, suggested prep for the SAT, lots of stuff. That is still there and I sincerely wonder if this year's scores will pop up on there at some point.</p>

<p>Z - My S took the PSAT last year as a soph, and his official results sheet has that access code. If my school district keeps the scores until May, I doubt they will provide the access codes prior to then. However, I am going to try to "enlighten them" to the fact that scores are available elsewhere much earlier. </p>

<p>I just don't get what motivates them to keep the scores a big secret until May.</p>