What is PSAT?
PSAT stands for Preliminary SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test) and coincides with the NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).
PSAT is formatted like the actual SAT, and serves as an excellent introduction to SAT since questions are similar, containing the Critical Reading, Math, and Writing sections, but with fewer questions and shorter test time, which is two hours and ten minutes long. SAT has the essay section which tests students’ writing skills by means of multiple choice questions while PSAT does not.
What Represents a Good PSAT Score?
Usually you will receive your PSAT score soon after Thanksgiving. The report includes three scores, one for each section, Critical Reading, Math, and Writing Skills. The score for each section ranges from 20 to 80. You can get an idea of how you would do on the SAT by adding a zero to the end of each of your PSAT score. PSAT scores are not part of the college admissions application. You still have time to strengthen your weakness and be more prepared before taking SAT.
Average PSAT Scores for 2010
PSAT/NMSQT scores are reported on a scale of 20 to 80. In 2010, the average score for eleventh graders was about 47 in Critical Reading, 49 in Mathematics, and 45 in Writing Skills. The average score for tenth graders was about 43 in Critical Reading, 44 in Mathematics, and 40 in Writing Skills.
PSAT Selection Index
Your Selection Index (SI) is also listed on your PSAT score report. This score is the sum of all three PSAT sections. So for instance if your scores were the same as the average 11th grade PSAT scores for 2010, your SI would be a 141.
The PSAT Selection Index is used in part to qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship, which is why the PSAT is also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). For receiving this scholarship, each state has a minimum index score and currently the lowest is a 201.
Since the PSAT also helps you to estimate how you’ll perform on the real SAT test, it’s better to ask yourself the question, “What’s a Good SAT score?” The PSAT is an very important test for qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship, but colleges do not consider it. If your PSAT score is well below the national averages, then now is the time to prepare for the SAT. Your SAT score among other things like GPA, extracurricular, etc. determines your acceptance into universities. Usually a good SAT score is necessary for your to enter a prestigious college and qualify for scholarships.
How to Best Accomplish the PSAT?
Go prepared
Long-term preparation should stress the importance of taking challenging classes and reading more as possible as you can, this will pay off on the PSAT, SAT test and help you throughout college.
When get closer to actually taking the PSAT, by preparing for the test, you will know how much time you have to work on each question. Good preparation let you move steadily and carefully through the PSAT test to achieve a good score.
Set Goals
Since PSAT serves as an excellent introduction to SAT,find out what the college you desire to attend requires. What is the minimum SAT score or the average score for admitted freshman. You can get this information by either calling the school’s Admissions Office directly or by looking at a book in a local book store, library or on the Internet.
Things You Need
- College Guides
- College Catalogs
- PSAT Study Guides
- PSAT Software
- Dictionaries
- Calculators
- Timers
- Pencils
- Index Cards
Recommends
- Use the best PSAT prep book
- Use vocabulary flashcards. Vocabulary is a key to succeed in the PSAT and SAT. If you do not know the words, there’s a limit to how far a great guessing strategy you can use.
- Take the test early. If you take the PSAT test during your sophomore year, you will have another opportunity to take the test during your junior year.
How to Study for the PSAT?
Concentrate on reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and usage, geometry, algebra and arithmetic.
In order to use time efficiently, use the PSAT Diagnostic Test to find out what are your weak parts.
- Increase PSAT and SAT Vocabulary
Almost half of the questions on the SAT test the student’s vocabulary, testing how well he or she understands the meaning of words in some form. It is very important to increase the student’s SAT vocabulary focusing on difficult words that appear most frequently on the SAT. - Review What Learned on Math Skills
The other half of the PSAT tests the student’s math skills, ranging from Arithmetic through Geometry and Algebra II. Make sure to remember what have already learned and build on the math skills already have. - Learn and Use PSAT Test Taking Strategies
Test taking strategies help you transform what you already know into higher PSAT scores. - Practice on Real PSATs
In order to practice what the student has learned, to practice on real PSATs is a really good way. You can get a copy of a real, full PSAT from the High School Counselor’s office and can order Real PSATs directly from the College Board.
Tips for Preparing PSAT
- Start from the easiest
Start to answer the easy questions and leave the hard ones later on. - Understand the question thoroughly
Make sure understand the question correctly and then answer the question being asked. - Focus on what you know
If the student does not know exactly how to solve a question, he or she can get started with what he or she does know, then may figure out the problem, or at least move on towards the solution. - Use elimination approach
It is best to eliminate one or more wrong answer choices, make a guess if needed and move on to the next question. - Be a smart guesser
Leave a question blank neither adds nor subtracts anything. If the student can eliminate two answers as definitely wrong, guess between the remaining two choices. If completely lost on a given question, skip it. Move on to the next question. - Take a short note while reading
When dealing with a difficult passage, it is important to summarize the main idea of each paragraph. It is helpful to quickly notate a three- or four-word summary in the margin of the test booklet. - Review if have time
If finish before the time is up, go back and work on any questions skipped, or review the completed answers.
How to Register for the PSAT?
- Make sure to plan ahead. Do not miss important PSAT deadlines. Contact the high school guidance counselor early in sophomore year, and get all the information regarding when, where and how to take the PSAT.
- Decide when to take the PSAT test.
- Get the application forms and read carefully. Pay close attention to deadlines, and register early.
How to Prepare the Evening before the PSAT?
1. Do not study, relax.
2. Organize all necessary materials, and put them into the backpack.
- Maps for directions to the testing location
- Identification Cards
- Test Center Admission Tickets
- Calculators
- Snacks
- A Watch
- Number-two pencils
- Erasers
3. Choose clothes and shoes for testing day.
4. Get a good night’s sleep.
Start preparing PSAT as early as possible to achieve your best PSAT score!
What is SAT?
SAT stands for Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test. The purpose of the SAT is to measure a student’s academic potential by testing his or her familiarity with what he or she learned in high school as well as his or her test taking skills.
The SAT is a multiple-choice exam in which each correct answer adds points to the student’s score and each incorrect answer subtracts from it.
The SAT does test how well a student has prepared. Preparation for the SAT can make a big difference in the student’s scores, and where he or she goes to college.
What is a Good SAT Score?
The SAT has three sections, which are Writing, Math and Critical Reading and each on a scale of 200 to 800.
The average total score is approximately 1,500 points. An average score is acceptable for most colleges and universities. However, some of the top schools require an SAT score of 2,100 of more. A score above 2,100 puts the student into top 10% of test takers.
The statistics shows that approximately only 20 of 1,000,000 students who take the SAT get a perfect score, which is 2,400 points.
How to Ace the SAT?
Go prepared
Long-term preparation should stress the importance of taking challenging classes and reading more as possible as the student can, this will pay off on the SAT Verbal section and help him or her throughout college.
When get closer to actually taking the SAT, by preparing for the test, the student will know how much time he or she has to work on each question. Good preparation let the student move steadily and carefully through the test to achieve a good score.
Set Goals
Find out what the college the student desires to attend requires. What is the minimum SAT score or the average score for admitted freshman. The student can get this information by either calling the school’s Admissions Office directly or by looking at a book in a local book store, library or on the Internet.
Things you Need for preparing SAT
College Guides
College Catalogs
SAT Study Guides
SAT Software
Dictionaries
Calculators
Timers
Pencils
Index Cards
Study options
Options include use of the ETS-provided study guide, commercially produced SAT preparation books, software, SAT study classes, and tutors.
Recommends
Use the free SAT guide.
Use an SAT preparation book and or software. Software is good for those students who feel comfortable with computers, use a book if the student just likes to learn by reading.
Use vocabulary flashcards. Vocabulary is a key to succeed in the SAT. If the test taker doesn’t know the words, there’s a limit to how far a great guessing strategy he or she can use.
Take the test early. Many schools look for the best score a student presents. By taking the test during the junior year, students will have an opportunity to re-take the test before admissions deadlines arrive.
How to Study for the SAT?
Concentrate on reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and usage, geometry, algebra and arithmetic.
In order to use time efficiently, use the SAT Diagnostic Test to find out what are the student’s weak parts.
Increase SAT Vocabulary
Almost half of the questions on the SAT test the student’s vocabulary, testing how well he or she understands the meaning of words in some form. It is very important to increase the student’s SAT vocabulary focusing on difficult words that appear most frequently on the SAT.
Review What Learned on Math Skills
The other half of the SAT tests the student’s math skills, ranging from Arithmetic through Geometry and Algebra II. Make sure to remember what have already learned and build on the math skills already have.
Learn and Use SAT Test Taking Strategies
Test taking strategies help the student transform what he or she already know into higher SAT scores.
Practice on Real SAT exams
In order to practice what the student has learned, to practice on real SATs is a really good way. A student can get a copy of a real, full SAT from the High School Counselor’s office and can order Real SATs directly from the College Board.
SAT Prep Tips
Start from the easiest
Start to answer the easy questions and leave the hard ones later on.
Understand the question thoroughly
Make sure understand the question correctly and then answer the question being asked.
Focus on what you know
If the student does not know exactly how to solve a question, he or she can get started with what he or she does know, then may figure out the problem, or at least move on towards the solution.
Use elimination approach
It is best to eliminate one or more wrong answer choices, make a guess if needed and move on to the next question.
Be a smart guesser
Leave a question blank neither adds nor subtracts anything. If the student can eliminate two answers as definitely wrong, guess between the remaining two choices. If completely lost on a given question, skip it. Move on to the next question.
Take a short note while reading
When dealing with a difficult passage, it is important to summarize the main idea of each paragraph. It is helpful to quickly notate a three- or four-word summary in the margin of the test booklet.
Review if have time
If finish before the time is up, go back and work on any questions skipped, or review the completed answers.
How to Register for the SAT?
Make sure to plan ahead. Do not miss important SAT deadlines. Contact the high school guidance counselor early in junior year, and get all the information regarding when, where and how to take the SAT.
Decide when to take the SAT.
Get the application forms and read carefully. Pay close attention to deadlines, and register early.
The SAT administers offer to send test scores to up to three schools without additional charge. However, if the student wants to know his or her scores before submit, he or she may prefer to wait and have them sent later though need to pay a small fee for the service.
If the student does not receive a confirmation letter within four to six weeks, call to make sure that his or her paperwork was received.
How to Prepare the Evening before the SAT?
1. Do not study, relax.
2. Organize all necessary materials, and put them into the backpack.
Maps for directions to the testing location
Identification Cards
Test Center Admission Tickets
Calculators
Snacks
A Watch
Number-two pencils
Erasers
3. Choose clothes and shoes for testing day.
4. Get a good night’s sleep.
Study for SAT, strengthen your weakness. Be well prepared, you will achieve a good SAT score!
In the United States, high school students prepare SAT and try their best to get a high score in order to enter a good college or university. SAT is very important for a student to demonstrate his or her academic horse power that the student is academically capable to handle the coursework and other academics in his or her university of choice. In addition the factors such as teacher recommendations, class rank and extracurricular activities have huge impact on college admissions.
1. What is the SAT?
The SAT Stands for Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test, which is a standardized test required for admission to most U.S. colleges and universities. The SAT, also called SAT I measures critical reading, math, and writing skills, which are elements that are considered essential for success in college. The test takes 3 hours and 35 minutes to complete and includes the following three sections.
Critical Reading
There are sentence completion questions, short and long reading passages followed by multiple-choice questions.
Math
There are multiple-choice and student-produced response questions covering numbers and operations, algebra I and II, geometry, statistics, probability, and data analysis.
Writing
There are an essay session and a grammar session including multiple-choice questions on sentence and paragraph improvement, as well as identifying sentence errors.
2. What is the PSAT?
The PSAT stands for Preliminary SAT, which is designed to be a warm-up for the SAT or SAT I, it is also used for applying the National Merit program. The PSAT is not just a shortened SAT I, it contains a Writing Skills section that does not appear on the SAT I, it is actually a grammar test. Although the Writing Skills section is not found on the SAT I, it is very similar to the Writing Test in the SAT II.
3. What is the SAT II?
The SAT II is called SAT Subject Tests, which are an additional group of standardized tests required by some of the most competitive colleges. Unlike the general SAT I, the SAT II test the student’s knowledge in a variety of subject areas. The University of California system, Stanford, and most Ivy League schools require the SAT II tests, and consider the SAT II tests as a significant component in computing the student’s Eligibility Index. For more information refer to each school which the student is interested in.
4. Should you Take ACT Instead of the SAT?
The ACT is an alternative national college admissions examination to the SAT I, which is particularly popular in the Midwest, while the SAT is more common on the coasts. The ACT test consists of subject area tests in English, Mathematics, Reading and Science, a broader range than the SAT I. Almost all colleges accept either SAT I or ACT scores although some state preferences for one over the other, students should check the admission requirements at each school to which they are applying. Another approach is that the student takes the ACT in addition to the SAT, which can give him or her another chance, because he or she can decide which score to submit. For more information on the ACT see the ACT Program.
5. What the SAT Scores Look Like?
For Critical Reading, Math and Writing, each section is scored on a scale of 200 to 800. The total score will range between 600 and 2400. The Writing section has two sub-scores, which are a multiple-choice sub-score on a scale of 20-80 and an essay sub-score of 2-12 that are combined to yield a final score out of 800.
6. When to Take the SAT?
Since most students applying to competitive colleges now take the SAT more than once, a typical schedule involves taking the PSAT in October of the junior year, taking the SAT I in March of the junior year, and taking SAT II’s in June of the junior year. It is recommended that perfect timing for SATII is before the summer so that the student still can study to repeat the SAT I on the fall test dates.
7. How Many Times can or should you Take the SAT?
A student can take the SAT as many times as he or she likes, but it is suggested that plan to take it no more than 2 or 3 times, because frequently taking the test does not help the student improve the score much. Since almost all schools now take a student’s highest score when evaluating them for admission, students and parents do not need worry about multiple scores. As long as a student does his or her best to prepare, by trying 2-3 times the student should achieve his or her full potential.
8. What is a Good SAT Score?
It depends which college the student wishes to attend. Basically there are no cut-off or guarantee scores. Namely, even the student’s score is higher than a school’s median does not mean that he or she will get in. For more information on the median score ranges for accepted students refer to each college.
9. What will you be Asked to Write About in the SAT Essay?
The essay question asks the student to take a position on an issue and support it persuasively with examples from studies and experience. It is an open-ended question, so the student can answer it successfully in many different ways.
10. What are the Biggest Pitfalls Students Make When Taking the SAT?
Not practicing enough. We know that in order to succeed in doing anything, we need prepare well, with the SAT, no exception. Many successful stories tell us that practice for the SAT does make perfect. The more the student gets used to the type of questions the SAT asks, the better he or she can do. The SAT is known to keep math questions and sentence completions almost the same. For the grammar section, the more the student memorizes the rules, the more his or her score goes up. The best way to do that is to familiarize with the format of the test and to review the content areas the test covers.
11. Where can you Improve your SAT Score?
Each student needs to look at his or her PSAT scores to find out where the most help is needed.
- In the Critical Reading section, which part is his or her weakness? Is it in the vocabulary, the short readings, or the long readings? Can the student understand them with the time limit? Start using flash cards for SAT words, practice timing on the readings, and practice taking tests are definitely good approaches.
- In the Math section, is the student missing the early easy ones and making careless mistakes? How did he or she do on the medium-hard questions? If it is just the hard ones at the end, perhaps skip the last 1-2 questions. Review thoroughly on Algebra and Geometry which is the math given on the SAT.
- In the Writing section, to improve the student’s understanding on the rules of grammar is the key. He or she needs to know where to find a double negative, subject-verb agreement, common English idioms, adverbs, when to use I or me, the “W” rule, when-time, who-people, where-place, etc. Once students know the rules of grammar, they can really bring up their Writing score. The Writing section is 2/3 grammar, 1/3 the essay.
12. What Does it Cost to Take the SAT?
The current fee to register for the SAT is $45.00 (USD). There is an additional fee for various services dealing with score reports and student questions.
13. How to Register for the SAT?
All registration must be done through the College Board, online, by mail or by calling (800)728-7267, there is an additional fee to sign up for the test by phone.
14. Can you Eat or Drinking at the SAT Test?
No, during the test in the test room for security reasons, however the student is encouraged to bring snacks in a book bag on test day, which can be consumed in designated areas during breaks.
15. Will Colleges See your SAT Essay?
A college will be able to view and print the student’s essay only if he or she sends that college the test scores.
16. How do Colleges Use the SAT Writing Score?
Different colleges use the writing score in different ways. Writing scores may be used for admissions decisions. It is said that writing is actually the strongest predictor of college success.
17. When will you Get your SAT Scores?
In about 2 weeks after the student takes the test, scores will be available by phone for an additional fee (1-800-SAT-SCORE). In about 3 weeks after the test, score reports will be mailed to the student and the colleges that he or she has designated.
18. Do you Get a Copy of your SAT Test With Scores?
Only if the student request and pay for it on certain dates. The Question-and-Answer Service for the SAT I is available only on certain test dates. The student can receive a copy of his or her exam in about 6 weeks after the test date, and it will be very useful in helping the student assesses what he or she did right and wrong. For any other test date, or for the SAT II tests, there is no way to obtain a copy of the student’s exam.
19. What are the Good Resources For Preparing SAT?
Great Stuff for PSAT/SAT/SAT II/ACT Preparation
20. What do you need to Prepare for the SAT?
You need SAT prep books, index cards, pencils, a timer, a calculator and dictionaries.
Start preparing the SAT as early as possible, and prepare it well to get a high score. Make your college application stronger, and enter your dream school!