PSAT results— what should DD be doing before SAT tutoring starts?

[Anonymous]

My 4.0 DD (unweighted) sophomore at a local rigorous just got very disappointing results on the PSAT she took recently. She does study a lot which may account for her GPA so these results shows some gaps.

We don’t plan on starting on SAT prep until the summer with the plan to take the October SAT and then repeat as necessary.

Any tips on things she can read or work on herself that aren’t too overwhelming. She scored about the same in math and non math parts which was surprising since she is in accelerated math.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

There is nothing she needs to do right now but focus on her schoolwork. Reading a lot and filling holes in math knowledge are hopefully getting covered just with her schoolwork. If you have a tutor planned for next summer, that should take care of things.

[Anonymous]

I don't understand if the school is rigorous and she's on an accelerated math track and she studies a lot for her (good) grades, what you are trying to say about gaps.

[Anonymous]

reading tons of books

reviewing the weak areas in math in khan academy or watching my chemistry tutor on youtube

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 4.0 DD (unweighted) sophomore at a local rigorous just got very disappointing results on the PSAT she took recently. She does study a lot which may account for her GPA so these results shows some gaps.

We don’t plan on starting on SAT prep until the summer with the plan to take the October SAT and then repeat as necessary.

Any tips on things she can read or work on herself that aren’t too overwhelming. She scored about the same in math and non math parts which was surprising since she is in accelerated math.

Thanks

Start an SAT class second semester sophomore year. Even if it's just her going through the Khan academy module.

[Anonymous]

OP, I could have written this. DD only went up 70 points from PSAT 8/9 despite getting 4.0 and being intellectually engaged. English was not that surprising, but math was disappointing

[Anonymous]

Have you considered taking the ACT?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you considered taking the ACT?

Second this. OP's situation is very surprising unless OP is too humble. Maybe try ACT will give a better result.

[Anonymous]

My soph took it in aug. There's no reason not to take it if you can afford the SAT registration fee. It is good prep for the PSAT NMSQT test in October of junior year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you considered taking the ACT?

OP here. Yes, she will take both.

[Anonymous]

OP, this is anonymous. Just tell us the very disappointing score. Your (and her) definition of "very disappointing" might be different than what is healthy and appropriate. My kid was happy with his good but not amazing verbal PSAT score but disappointed he did not get a perfect math score as he "assumed" he would.

[Anonymous]

Read books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My soph took it in aug. There's no reason not to take it if you can afford the SAT registration fee. It is good prep for the PSAT NMSQT test in October of junior year.

Good point. Thanks. So when did your sophomore start prep? I am trying not to be too crazy and stress my daughter out. But I did learn from my two older kids that we need to plan things out sooner and more intentionally.

To answer someone above I meant that the fact she studies so much to get her 4.0 might mask that her “natural’ smartness isn’t on par.

She also isn’t and hasn’t been a big reader. She plays several sports and just doesn’t prioritize reading. I have always worried her SAT scores would suffer because of this …

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is anonymous. Just tell us the very disappointing score. Your (and her) definition of "very disappointing" might be different than what is healthy and appropriate. My kid was happy with his good but not amazing verbal PSAT score but disappointed he did not get a perfect math score as he "assumed" he would.

Op here. 1200.

[Anonymous]

1200 is not a low score for a sophomore. My kid who got 1170 on his sophomore PSAT got a 1460 on his SAt, and my kid who got a 1280 on her sophomore PSAT got a 1550.