Taking the PSAT
The PSAT is a very important diagnostic and assessment tool which predicts SAT scores, provides a great way to track your progress, and of course, can result in National Merit awards for the highest scorers. In addition, the PSAT can tell you whether you should take the SAT or ACT and what exactly you need to focus on if you study for the SAT.
Let’s consider how PSAT scores can help students by considering the cases of two students: Casey and Marissa, two hypothetical juniors from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.
On her 11th grade PSAT, Casey scored Reading 60, Math 60, Writing 60 for a composite of 180. If Casey is just like the typical student, many of whom receive some test preparation for the SAT, then her SAT scores on a test taken the following spring would be an 1830.
At higher PSAT scores, the difference between PSAT and SAT scores is smaller and eventually it becomes negative. Consider, for instance, Marissa, who scored 210 on the Junior PSAT with a 70 in each area. Marissa’s total score on a Spring SAT, if she were to follow the typical trajectory, would be a 2070.
In contrast, if Casey had come to us around the time of the junior PSAT, with a junior PSAT score of 180, she could expect a final SAT score of 2050. Marissa’s scores might range from a 2200 to a perfect score of 2400. On average, over the last five years, our students have improved 247 points from the Junior PSAT to their final SAT. (ACT students have improved more, but have typically started from lower baselines.) This includes scores from every student who had six or more tutoring sessions, including those who had entering scores of 2200, which made 240 point improvements impossible.
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- Here is a link to to all our results from every student we have tutored who had six or more tutoring sessions.
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Soon after you get the PSAT report, you should compare your 11th grade PSAT scores to an ACT test taken in a proctored environment and use the results to figure out which test is best for you. Add a zero to your PSAT scores and use this concordance tool, published by the College Board and ACT.
If your scores are tied, or very close, use our SAT-ACT questionnaire to help you break the tie.
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Did you Know?
- We proctor free practice SAT and ACT tests almost every weekend. Contact Alex Evans to schedule yours.
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What can you do if your scores seem low compared to your grades?
If you are an 11th grade student, and your PSAT scores are below your academic profile (a Naviance scattergram or your college counselor can help you find this information), you should consider doing some test preparation immediately. If you’re a sophomore, you should consider a reading program, or a program that builds the skill in which you are most deficient.
What if your PSAT scores are on par with your grades or better than your current grades?
Focus on your grades.
The most important factors for selective college admissions are your academic courses, and of course, your grades. If you have very high PSAT scores and average grades, consider being done with the SAT or ACT quickly. Then, focus your attention on bringing up that grade point average to a B+ from a B, or an A- from a B+. Consider using tailored academic support or our study skills tutoring to help you.
Finally, the highest scorers: Consider Hugh who gets a top 4 or 5% score and Jackie, who’s lucky enough to receive a PSAT score that is in the top half of the top 1% of scores in her state. Hugh is a National Merit Commended Scholar and Jackie is now automatically a National Merit Semifinalist. The National Merit Scholarship Program will contact her with details, but if she completes some relatively easy requirements, she could be in line for a significant scholarship. Congratulations, Jackie! You’re in a great place!
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- Here is a link to the National Merit Semifinalist cut offs for the last few years.
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So what’s the bottom line? Take a deep breath. Whether you’re Casey, Marissa, Hugh, or Jackie, you’re in a good place. You’ve got time to assess where you are and make a careful plan to improve. Let us know if we can be of help!
Sources for Further Reading:
The College Board provides information on understanding PSAT scores here, and the pdf you can download from the box called ‘Scoring Data’ gives specific statistics on the average relationship between PSAT and SAT scores.
