<p>So I just got my scores back in my freshman year, never took any PSAT practice tests and got this:</p>
<p>Math: 80 (I've always been really good at math.)
Critical Reading: 60 (Don't like English at all.)
Writing: 62
Total: 202</p>
<p>My best subject is Math obviously, but I don't know if I can improve enough to make NMSF in Tennessee. I'm only a freshman now, but I don't know whether or not I can improve in English and Writing, some of my worst subjects.</p>
<p>The CR scores are slowest to improve. So, start working on this section right away. Do lots of reading and work on building your vocabulary. Even if you are planning on majoring in STEM, good colleges will expect you to have a high CR score.</p>
<p>The writing score is easier to improve, spend a little time with a grammar book over the summer and you will do fine.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your great score as a freshman. You can definitely improve enough in two years. Here is my advice - take it or leave it(!) - start reading now. Read anything and read often. Find something you like and read, read, read. Try science fiction? mysteries? anything! My daughter reads teen drama stories. It doesn’t matter. You will be gaining critical reading skills without even realizing it. Of course, all the reading you will be doing at school will help, too. If you read your books online, you can usually just click on a word you aren’t sure of and it will pop up with the definition. USE IT! (At least the online books we get from our library do that). Good luck to you. Also, don’t forget to practice the math. Simple careless errors can cost a lot and you might also forget some of this ‘easy’ math in 2 years when you are probably taking calc.</p>
<p>I got 59 CR on my original PSAT in Sophomore year and just through SAT prep courses got it up to a 70 in my junior year PSAT and a 730 on my SAT. As for writing, I took a 64 to a 71 to a 780 in my SAT. A perfect score is somewhat caused by luck- I only twice, including all of the many practice tests I took, got a perfect math score, but one was on my PSAT and the other was on the actual SAT. If you take a well-respected prep course, you will have a big bump. Mine had a 200 point (20 in PSAT terms) guarantee when I started. I should note that they are expensive, but if your family has disposable income, I would definitely recommend taking the course.</p>
<p>My D got a PSAT score lower than you in sophomore, but she did get NMSF in junior. So I would say you definitely have a good chance. My D also did not do any practice before her sophomore PSAT but prep for SAT/ACT before the junior one.</p>
<p>My son made a 209 his freshman year and got a 230 his Jr year. You can do it with a good plan, some work and a little luck. Best wishes!</p>
<p>Don’t count on anything. Be prepared. There have juniors who’ve scored LOWER than they did on soph tests.</p>
<p>S1 had 215 as a Freshman and did nothing to prep other than going to school. He got a 230 when it counted. D1 is not in the same ballpark, but she got 157 as a Freshman and 169 as a Sophomore. (she is math-challenged). Based on our admittedly small sample size, you COULD go up 10-12 points per year without any prep if you pay attention and learn in school. Since you did so well you at least have a reachable target. Getting to the ‘magic’ 223 is definitely within reach,. Good job!</p>
<p>I got a 210 sophomore year and a 221 junior year with no prep in between whatsoever. You just end up learning over time either way, even without consciously studying. I couldn’t agree more with the advice to read EVERYTHING. You can’t go wrong- it helps you develop your sense for correct grammar (my twelve years of reading by the time I took the PSAT helped me get my 80 in writing both times), build a vibrant and eclectic vocabulary, and improve your reading comprehension skills. You’re a freshman- just remember that you’ve still got more than a year and a half of high school reading assignments before you take the PSAT as a junior. Savor them- take advantage of them. They’ll do you immeasurable good. Outside of school, keep reading. It doesn’t have to be a musty old classic (though really, they ARE better than they sound, I promise); in fact, it’s probably better to read from all different genres and sectors of literature to broaden your exposure to all types of writing and a variety of vocabulary words.
Good luck!</p>