Nervous

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lonewolf

5-Year Member
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Sep 27, 2014
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I have the PSAT coming up on October 15. I'm really nervous about doing good on it. I've been taking practice tests for it for a few months. I've only gotten in the 200-210 range. But recently I got just below 200 I live in a state where the cutoff for semifinalist is around 212. My question is are PSAT scores important to your application? And is being a commended scholar as good for your application as a semifinalist? Also could I make up for it with ACT scores? I have taken the ACT and got a 31. I'm going to try and bring that up on the october date. Thanks a lot for any replies


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The PSAT scores will not matter. Your ACT and/or SAT scores are what counts.
 
And remember to focus on the sub scores and not just the overall score. A low score in one area could hurt you even if your overall score is high.
 
Thanks for the responses! That helps alleviate some worry because I'm better at the act test than the psat/sat


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Just keep doing you best. I was much better at the ACT too and it worked out just fine for me. I'm sure you'll do well.
 
I'm confused....if you are a junior in high school, why are you taking the PSAT? Shouldn't you already be taking the SAT?
 
Dixieland said:
I'm confused....if you are a junior in high school, why are you taking the PSAT? Shouldn't you already be taking the SAT?
Click to expand...

Juniors take the PSAT for the National Merit Scholarship competition. My kids took in sophomore and junior years.
 
My DS blew his PSATs. Didn't study and was shocked at his scores. He thinks it kept him out of SLE. What it did do was wake him and got him, on his own, to start really studying for the SATs. He is now a Firstie.
 
Always learning something

I did not know one could take the PSAT more than once. Had to verify.

How many times can a student take the PSAT/NMSQT?

Students can take the PSAT/NMSQT only once in a school year, but can take the test in multiple years. Typically, students must take the PSAT/NMSQT in their junior year to be eligible to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation competitions. Students who take the test as sophomores or younger must take the test again in their junior year to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation Programs.
 
My DS took the PSAT as a practice test sophomore year & again as a junior for National Merit competition. It's very common. He used his 2nd score when applying to SLE.
 
Some schools will administer the PSAT your FR and SO years. It is practice only and does not count for National Merit competition. Your JR PSAT is the only year that counts for National Merit competition. The JR year PSAT can be use for your SLE application as it may be the only test taken at that point.
 
Considering it's only a once-a-year exam for high schoolers, the max would be 3 (excluding senior year of course). I took it 3 times myself - freshman, sophomore, and junior years. My high school requires it all 3 years and I found it to be great preparation for the SAT.

That being said, your junior year PSAT counts as not only the PSAT but also as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). So a little added pressure to do well, but still no harm can really come out of doing poorly. However, it will be the only standardized test score for your SLE file unless you take an ACT/SAT before spring 2015.


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