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

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the context PP.

Other than math though (and she is in accelerated math), how does another year really matter for the reading and writing sections. Wondering. My concern as others have said, she isn’t a big reader and can’t see that changing in a year with her courseload this year.

On that point, some are saying read books. What kind of books that this point will make a difference? She already has about 5 hours of homework a night on average. 4-5. Don’t get me wrong, agree that reading books is key. Just wonder if it is too late to make a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Wow!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 …

Started in July after freshman year. Not hardcore prep. Just Khan academy, we paid for Uworld, and doing old practice tests. Currently scored a 1530. Keep in mind he is a very good test taker. But your daughter will see a massive jump in just becoming familiar with the test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the context PP.

Other than math though (and she is in accelerated math), how does another year really matter for the reading and writing sections. Wondering. My concern as others have said, she isn’t a big reader and can’t see that changing in a year with her courseload this year.

On that point, some are saying read books. What kind of books that this point will make a difference? She already has about 5 hours of homework a night on average. 4-5. Don’t get me wrong, agree that reading books is key. Just wonder if it is too late to make a difference.

The more familiar with grammar rules, vocab, sentence construction and most importantly WHAT the SAT tests you, it is a test you can study for. It sounds like your daughter is perfect for a jump in that she doesn't mind the grind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It's a normal score, on the lower side though. But PSAT means nothing.
A lot of kids improve their score by junior year, merely one year of education taking AP lit and AP lang will naturally boost her score by 100 points.
Don't panic.

[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

What did she get?

[Anonymous]

My one college freshman went from 1140 (10th grade) to 1530.
His twin started with 1220 and ended up with a 36 ACT.

My current 10th grader just got a 1270 and we are THRILLED.

OP, your kid will be fine. time to deep breathe and chill out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It's a normal score, on the lower side though. But PSAT means nothing.
A lot of kids improve their score by junior year, merely one year of education taking AP lit and AP lang will naturally boost her score by 100 points.
Don't panic.

You are literally a freak.

1200 in 10th grade is 92%. that is "lower side" to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It's a normal score, on the lower side though. But PSAT means nothing.
A lot of kids improve their score by junior year, merely one year of education taking AP lit and AP lang will naturally boost her score by 100 points.
Don't panic.

It is not on the lower side. It’s about the 90th percentile. So many people on this website talking out of their a$&es.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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

This is me and my kid got 1220 PSAT as a sophomore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the context PP.

Other than math though (and she is in accelerated math), how does another year really matter for the reading and writing sections. Wondering. My concern as others have said, she isn’t a big reader and can’t see that changing in a year with her courseload this year.

On that point, some are saying read books. What kind of books that this point will make a difference? She already has about 5 hours of homework a night on average. 4-5. Don’t get me wrong, agree that reading books is key. Just wonder if it is too late to make a difference.

Calm down, Susan. He will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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 …

Started in July after freshman year. Not hardcore prep. Just Khan academy, we paid for Uworld, and doing old practice tests. Currently scored a 1530. Keep in mind he is a very good test taker. But your daughter will see a massive jump in just becoming familiar with the test.

This was the old format I assume? I think the various prep companies and sites have less practice tests and experience.


Does anyone know whether the actual content in the new format is basically the same so that old practice tests are still useful?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the context PP.

Other than math though (and she is in accelerated math), how does another year really matter for the reading and writing sections. Wondering. My concern as others have said, she isn’t a big reader and can’t see that changing in a year with her courseload this year.

On that point, some are saying read books. What kind of books that this point will make a difference? She already has about 5 hours of homework a night on average. 4-5. Don’t get me wrong, agree that reading books is key. Just wonder if it is too late to make a difference.

Calm down, Susan. He will be fine.

lol. Yes I deserve this. She will definitely be fine just as her two siblings ended up in great places for them and are living their best lives (neither at a top 50 school).

But as I am sure you went through, in these early days, you want to get a sense of where you child fits and will likely land so you can manage expectations and guide, and add resources if necessary. That is all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the context PP.

Other than math though (and she is in accelerated math), how does another year really matter for the reading and writing sections. Wondering. My concern as others have said, she isn’t a big reader and can’t see that changing in a year with her courseload this year.

On that point, some are saying read books. What kind of books that this point will make a difference? She already has about 5 hours of homework a night on average. 4-5. Don’t get me wrong, agree that reading books is key. Just wonder if it is too late to make a difference.

Just leave your poor kid be! She got a strong score and it’s only the fall of her 10th grade year. It sounds like she’s already well on her way to burnout and you’re only accelerating it. It makes me sad what high school has become for so many kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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 …

Started in July after freshman year. Not hardcore prep. Just Khan academy, we paid for Uworld, and doing old practice tests. Currently scored a 1530. Keep in mind he is a very good test taker. But your daughter will see a massive jump in just becoming familiar with the test.

This was the old format I assume? I think the various prep companies and sites have less practice tests and experience.


Does anyone know whether the actual content in the new format is basically the same so that old practice tests are still useful?

No, this year he is a sophomore. The reading practice tests from the paper tests aren't on point, but you can pick up the gist of it. I'm not involved except for paying for Uworld so I don't know the nitty gritty. There's no need to hire a tutor if your kid is the focused type. There are endless free resources out there.
The more exposure to the different type of problems it tests the better.