Do scores in practice SAT tests from College Board reflect actual scores?

[Anonymous]

My sophomore has the opportunity to take the PSAT next week so I suggested she look at the practice tests on the College Board account.

She just took one and got 1500 off the bat. 780 in math and 720 reading. Said it was very easy and also didn’t take it super seriously.

Is she likely to get a similar score in the actual test or are the practice ones dumbed down? That’s a really good score for a first attempt, yes?

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Yep. And those are very good scores!

[Anonymous]

no, the practice ones are easier on the math side. The English is about the same.

However, your kid is well in their way to a very high score---this is super encouraging.

[Anonymous]

psat is easier than sat.

[Anonymous]

Those scores bode very well for future, but some important things to keep in mind so that she doesn't get too complacent about it:

- Test conditions: my DC, in last paper test days, consistently did up to 100 total points better on practice tests than on actual tests. Not exactly sure why, but I suspect that it may be because they rarely took practice tests at 8:00 am, after getting up before 7:00 to make it to test center, and that they took longer breaks in between sections than on real test. Who knows? But if she really wants to maximize her score, she should eventually practice under actual test conditions.

-- the delta between her math and verbal is significant and points to an important quirk of the test: many students take it as juniors, but it maxes out at math that many, esp advanced students, haven't taken in at least a year or two. So depending on when she takes the actual test, she should make sure to take it seriously and try to remember as much of the math she likely is now closer to than she will then

-- Doesn't matter for 10th grade PSAT, but if she takes it as NMSQT in 11th grade, be aware that verbal score counts 2x as much as math for purpose of NMS score. So although it's not worth studying just for the PSAT, if she plans to take the SAT before that, she should work to improve her verbal score and then try to excel on PSAT 11. Despite what some people here will tell you, NMS finalist can get you some decent $$ at some very decent schools.

[Anonymous]

It’s a great first attempt! Note that the PSAT is out of 1520–760 and 760. The SAT is out of 1600–800 and 800. So it’s not possible to get over 760 on math for a PSAT. Maybe your child took the practice SAT? Regardless the practice tests are similar, and the PSAT is slightly easier than the SAT. So your child scoring high on a practice exam for the SAT means your child has a strong chance at scoring high on the actual exam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a great first attempt! Note that the PSAT is out of 1520–760 and 760. The SAT is out of 1600–800 and 800. So it’s not possible to get over 760 on math for a PSAT. Maybe your child took the practice SAT? Regardless the practice tests are similar, and the PSAT is slightly easier than the SAT. So your child scoring high on a practice exam for the SAT means your child has a strong chance at scoring high on the actual exam.

Yes, it was the practice SAT. Is there a practice PSAT available too? She only found that one.

[Anonymous]

Those are great scores and yes there is some parity between the practice tests provided by CB and the real ones.

Statistically most students score approximately 7% lower in the first real test they take, but obviously there are exceptions.

[Anonymous]

Plan to take the August SAT and prep over the summer.

Practice material for the digital SAT is limited. Save the remaining official practice tests for test prep over the summer.

Test 5 and 6 are closest to the real test.

Your kid is in good shape. My kid got a similar score to your kid on Test 1 at the start of last summer, prepped a little with a tutor, and got a 1560 on the August test. Good tutors work with official material. I implore you to save the remaining official practice tests for prep next summer.

[Anonymous]

^Forgot to add, yes, your student should take the PSAT for practice next week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sophomore has the opportunity to take the PSAT next week so I suggested she look at the practice tests on the College Board account.

She just took one and got 1500 off the bat. 780 in math and 720 reading. Said it was very easy and also didn’t take it super seriously.

Is she likely to get a similar score in the actual test or are the practice ones dumbed down? That’s a really good score for a first attempt, yes?

That's a fantastic score for a sophomore. Actual test scores tend to be better than these mainly because (1) you are taking the actual test at a later date (more mature) (2) you are more focused at the actual test.

[Anonymous]

SAME. I was going to ask the same question.
It seemed too easy. I assume PSAT will be a bit harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SAME. I was going to ask the same question.
It seemed too easy. I assume PSAT will be a bit harder.

I’m sorry. I misread your question! For the SAT: the practice test results were in line with my kid’s actual score. Maybe a fluctuation of 10-20 points.

[Anonymous]

There are 8 college board practice tests on the website and each one of them was an actual SAT test. Tell her to do a few more. Plug the results into Khan Academy by linking the Collegeboard account with Khan Academy and they will give a customized study plan for her.

1500 is great. But, many people get this kind of scores.