PSAT results came out

[Anonymous]

My kid's scores finally were posted today. No email notification, just posted scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid's scores finally were posted today. No email notification, just posted scores.

Thanks, PP. That's good to know (but frustrating!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Congrats to your DS! Sounds like college tuition won't be a problem! There are other schools that also offer full rides for National Merit Finalists.

https://collegeguidepost.com/scholarships/national-merit/full-ride-college-scholarships-national-merit-finalists/

DP.. honestly, I wouldn't have my kids go to any of those schools, even with a full ride. I'm not hankering for ivies, either.

Agree with bolded.
Never heard of many listed in Fla. But I recognize the one in Va, Liberty. It’s a nope!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Congrats to your DS! Sounds like college tuition won't be a problem! There are other schools that also offer full rides for National Merit Finalists.

https://collegeguidepost.com/scholarships/national-merit/full-ride-college-scholarships-national-merit-finalists/

DP.. honestly, I wouldn't have my kids go to any of those schools, even with a full ride. I'm not hankering for ivies, either.

Agree with bolded.
Never heard of many listed in Fla. But I recognize the one in Va, Liberty. It’s a nope!

My kid picked USC with 50% tuition scholarship over fullride from U. Florida last year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Feeling glum about sophomore DD scores-1160. GPA 3.89 UW at competitive private. I’d much rather the high GPA but still can’t help being disappointed. Just not a good test taker.

Feeling glum? Why? Her scores can only get better. Link the collegeboard account to Khan Academy. It is just a button on collegeboard account that you have to click. Khan Academy will evaluate her PSAT scores and performance instantly and create a study plan based on which areas she is weak in.

I am an old, old hand in all kinds of supplementation and enrichment for my kids - self-teaching, books, academic camps, tutors, prep companies, online packages etc - there is nothing that I have not used and auditioned. I am an extremely savvy consumer as far as education is concerned.

I can assure you that the best and most useful resource for your kid's SAT prep is Khan Academy. The real shame is that not many use it. 1160 for a sophomore means that you need to give her the right support. Please don't waste your money on the expensive prep companies. Go to Khan Academy and make her work on her personalized and interactive plan.

NP. Thank you PP for this advice.
My DS is a sophomore and was hoping to take the SAT this August after summer study. Scored 1390 and I think he was worried because his older friends say 1500+ is needed for UVA. I’ll tell him to link his scores to Khan academy as suggested.

Yes.

Also, for parents of younger kids...start taking PSAT from as early as you can. Do not miss any opportunity for your kid to take PSAT. PSAT is just that - PRACTICE PSAT. Do not practice for SAT by taking real SAT because some colleges want to see ALL the SATs you have ever taken. PSAT does not get seen by colleges. Poor PSAT performance does not impact anything come admission time. Also, PSAT are genuine Collegeboard created tests.

In early years (9, 10), its A-OK to go without any prep just so you know where you stand without any prep. Then USE the Khan Academy feature to prepare for only the content area your kid is weak in. It is like a personalized expensive Private Prep Company tutor.

Every single opportunity to take PSAT. There is a version for 8th-9th and another for 10th grade too. Remember, only your school can offer it. Only NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in Fall of Junior Year is the one that gets used for NMS. The more tests you have taken previously, the more data Khan Academy has for your kid and the more your kid can practice.

SAT Prep - Please also use Khan Academy for practice for SAT. They also use the 8 official SAT tests and they will also give you a personalize SAT practice based on your areas of weakness. They can teach content that you don't understand based on your performance. So it is a coach and a tutor - all rolled into one.

SAT/PSAT/NMS - these are exams that you can crack with the right support and nothing supports you better than Khan Academy. It is just a question of how much time you are willing to devote in using this tool.

This is exactly what is wrong with this system and why some are pushing ton get rid of these tests. It's not testing readiness for college or intelligence. It's testing whether you know how to game the test. What a huge waste of our kids' time and a bunch of false pressure. This will not get them anywhere in life because life is not a series of standardized tests.

LOL! How is this gaming the system? Khan Academy has made this tool available for all - rich or poor - national or international- for free. It is customized to the student's needs. No need to pay test companies. Any kid who wants to study on his own can do well. What the kid does not know in terms of content knowledge he is taught. Any knowledge gap due to poor schooling is also filled If a kid cannot do well even with equitable resources and adequate support (for free), then the kid either does not have the brain power or the inclination to study. In that case, the kid can try to get into trade, army, private business, entertainment industry or sports...why should every single kid go to college? A good plumber is as needed in society as a good cardiologist.

You did not address my contention that it is a time waster and only tests ability to take a test, which is useless in life. It is learning the game for the test. No more.

It’’s not equitable. You just explained how to do it. If it was equitable, kids that don’t have parents with time to linger on DCUM would know how, too.

Be warned that tests exams midterms and finals are waiting for you DC at good colleges.
Good ability to take tests is important for success in good colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Feeling glum about sophomore DD scores-1160. GPA 3.89 UW at competitive private. I’d much rather the high GPA but still can’t help being disappointed. Just not a good test taker.

Feeling glum? Why? Her scores can only get better. Link the collegeboard account to Khan Academy. It is just a button on collegeboard account that you have to click. Khan Academy will evaluate her PSAT scores and performance instantly and create a study plan based on which areas she is weak in.

I am an old, old hand in all kinds of supplementation and enrichment for my kids - self-teaching, books, academic camps, tutors, prep companies, online packages etc - there is nothing that I have not used and auditioned. I am an extremely savvy consumer as far as education is concerned.

I can assure you that the best and most useful resource for your kid's SAT prep is Khan Academy. The real shame is that not many use it. 1160 for a sophomore means that you need to give her the right support. Please don't waste your money on the expensive prep companies. Go to Khan Academy and make her work on her personalized and interactive plan.

NP. Thank you PP for this advice.
My DS is a sophomore and was hoping to take the SAT this August after summer study. Scored 1390 and I think he was worried because his older friends say 1500+ is needed for UVA. I’ll tell him to link his scores to Khan academy as suggested.

Yes.

Also, for parents of younger kids...start taking PSAT from as early as you can. Do not miss any opportunity for your kid to take PSAT. PSAT is just that - PRACTICE PSAT. Do not practice for SAT by taking real SAT because some colleges want to see ALL the SATs you have ever taken. PSAT does not get seen by colleges. Poor PSAT performance does not impact anything come admission time. Also, PSAT are genuine Collegeboard created tests.

In early years (9, 10), its A-OK to go without any prep just so you know where you stand without any prep. Then USE the Khan Academy feature to prepare for only the content area your kid is weak in. It is like a personalized expensive Private Prep Company tutor.

Every single opportunity to take PSAT. There is a version for 8th-9th and another for 10th grade too. Remember, only your school can offer it. Only NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in Fall of Junior Year is the one that gets used for NMS. The more tests you have taken previously, the more data Khan Academy has for your kid and the more your kid can practice.

SAT Prep - Please also use Khan Academy for practice for SAT. They also use the 8 official SAT tests and they will also give you a personalize SAT practice based on your areas of weakness. They can teach content that you don't understand based on your performance. So it is a coach and a tutor - all rolled into one.

SAT/PSAT/NMS - these are exams that you can crack with the right support and nothing supports you better than Khan Academy. It is just a question of how much time you are willing to devote in using this tool.

This is exactly what is wrong with this system and why some are pushing ton get rid of these tests. It's not testing readiness for college or intelligence. It's testing whether you know how to game the test. What a huge waste of our kids' time and a bunch of false pressure. This will not get them anywhere in life because life is not a series of standardized tests.

LOL! How is this gaming the system? Khan Academy has made this tool available for all - rich or poor - national or international- for free. It is customized to the student's needs. No need to pay test companies. Any kid who wants to study on his own can do well. What the kid does not know in terms of content knowledge he is taught. Any knowledge gap due to poor schooling is also filled If a kid cannot do well even with equitable resources and adequate support (for free), then the kid either does not have the brain power or the inclination to study. In that case, the kid can try to get into trade, army, private business, entertainment industry or sports...why should every single kid go to college? A good plumber is as needed in society as a good cardiologist.

You did not address my contention that it is a time waster and only tests ability to take a test, which is useless in life. It is learning the game for the test. No more.

It’’s not equitable. You just explained how to do it. If it was equitable, kids that don’t have parents with time to linger on DCUM would know how, too.

Be warned that tests exams midterms and finals are waiting for you DC at good colleges.
Good ability to take tests is important for success in good colleges.

Not to mention if your DD plans to advance to graduate shcool, medical school, law school, MBA etc.
LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Feeling glum about sophomore DD scores-1160. GPA 3.89 UW at competitive private. I’d much rather the high GPA but still can’t help being disappointed. Just not a good test taker.

Feeling glum? Why? Her scores can only get better. Link the collegeboard account to Khan Academy. It is just a button on collegeboard account that you have to click. Khan Academy will evaluate her PSAT scores and performance instantly and create a study plan based on which areas she is weak in.

I am an old, old hand in all kinds of supplementation and enrichment for my kids - self-teaching, books, academic camps, tutors, prep companies, online packages etc - there is nothing that I have not used and auditioned. I am an extremely savvy consumer as far as education is concerned.

I can assure you that the best and most useful resource for your kid's SAT prep is Khan Academy. The real shame is that not many use it. 1160 for a sophomore means that you need to give her the right support. Please don't waste your money on the expensive prep companies. Go to Khan Academy and make her work on her personalized and interactive plan.

NP. Thank you PP for this advice.
My DS is a sophomore and was hoping to take the SAT this August after summer study. Scored 1390 and I think he was worried because his older friends say 1500+ is needed for UVA. I’ll tell him to link his scores to Khan academy as suggested.

Yes.

Also, for parents of younger kids...start taking PSAT from as early as you can. Do not miss any opportunity for your kid to take PSAT. PSAT is just that - PRACTICE PSAT. Do not practice for SAT by taking real SAT because some colleges want to see ALL the SATs you have ever taken. PSAT does not get seen by colleges. Poor PSAT performance does not impact anything come admission time. Also, PSAT are genuine Collegeboard created tests.

In early years (9, 10), its A-OK to go without any prep just so you know where you stand without any prep. Then USE the Khan Academy feature to prepare for only the content area your kid is weak in. It is like a personalized expensive Private Prep Company tutor.

Every single opportunity to take PSAT. There is a version for 8th-9th and another for 10th grade too. Remember, only your school can offer it. Only NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in Fall of Junior Year is the one that gets used for NMS. The more tests you have taken previously, the more data Khan Academy has for your kid and the more your kid can practice.

SAT Prep - Please also use Khan Academy for practice for SAT. They also use the 8 official SAT tests and they will also give you a personalize SAT practice based on your areas of weakness. They can teach content that you don't understand based on your performance. So it is a coach and a tutor - all rolled into one.

SAT/PSAT/NMS - these are exams that you can crack with the right support and nothing supports you better than Khan Academy. It is just a question of how much time you are willing to devote in using this tool.

This is exactly what is wrong with this system and why some are pushing ton get rid of these tests. It's not testing readiness for college or intelligence. It's testing whether you know how to game the test. What a huge waste of our kids' time and a bunch of false pressure. This will not get them anywhere in life because life is not a series of standardized tests.

LOL! How is this gaming the system? Khan Academy has made this tool available for all - rich or poor - national or international- for free. It is customized to the student's needs. No need to pay test companies. Any kid who wants to study on his own can do well. What the kid does not know in terms of content knowledge he is taught. Any knowledge gap due to poor schooling is also filled If a kid cannot do well even with equitable resources and adequate support (for free), then the kid either does not have the brain power or the inclination to study. In that case, the kid can try to get into trade, army, private business, entertainment industry or sports...why should every single kid go to college? A good plumber is as needed in society as a good cardiologist.

You did not address my contention that it is a time waster and only tests ability to take a test, which is useless in life. It is learning the game for the test. No more.

It’’s not equitable. You just explained how to do it. If it was equitable, kids that don’t have parents with time to linger on DCUM would know how, too.

Be warned that tests exams midterms and finals are waiting for you DC at good colleges.
Good ability to take tests is important for success in good colleges.

Not to mention if your DD plans to advance to graduate shcool, medical school, law school, MBA etc.
LOL

Not to mention professional licenses, certificates, board exams, etc etc.
The Ability to take tests is very very useful and important in life.
Too bad the kid is bad at taking tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Feeling glum about sophomore DD scores-1160. GPA 3.89 UW at competitive private. I’d much rather the high GPA but still can’t help being disappointed. Just not a good test taker.

Feeling glum? Why? Her scores can only get better. Link the collegeboard account to Khan Academy. It is just a button on collegeboard account that you have to click. Khan Academy will evaluate her PSAT scores and performance instantly and create a study plan based on which areas she is weak in.

I am an old, old hand in all kinds of supplementation and enrichment for my kids - self-teaching, books, academic camps, tutors, prep companies, online packages etc - there is nothing that I have not used and auditioned. I am an extremely savvy consumer as far as education is concerned.

I can assure you that the best and most useful resource for your kid's SAT prep is Khan Academy. The real shame is that not many use it. 1160 for a sophomore means that you need to give her the right support. Please don't waste your money on the expensive prep companies. Go to Khan Academy and make her work on her personalized and interactive plan.

NP. Thank you PP for this advice.
My DS is a sophomore and was hoping to take the SAT this August after summer study. Scored 1390 and I think he was worried because his older friends say 1500+ is needed for UVA. I’ll tell him to link his scores to Khan academy as suggested.

Yes.

Also, for parents of younger kids...start taking PSAT from as early as you can. Do not miss any opportunity for your kid to take PSAT. PSAT is just that - PRACTICE PSAT. Do not practice for SAT by taking real SAT because some colleges want to see ALL the SATs you have ever taken. PSAT does not get seen by colleges. Poor PSAT performance does not impact anything come admission time. Also, PSAT are genuine Collegeboard created tests.

In early years (9, 10), its A-OK to go without any prep just so you know where you stand without any prep. Then USE the Khan Academy feature to prepare for only the content area your kid is weak in. It is like a personalized expensive Private Prep Company tutor.

Every single opportunity to take PSAT. There is a version for 8th-9th and another for 10th grade too. Remember, only your school can offer it. Only NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in Fall of Junior Year is the one that gets used for NMS. The more tests you have taken previously, the more data Khan Academy has for your kid and the more your kid can practice.

SAT Prep - Please also use Khan Academy for practice for SAT. They also use the 8 official SAT tests and they will also give you a personalize SAT practice based on your areas of weakness. They can teach content that you don't understand based on your performance. So it is a coach and a tutor - all rolled into one.

SAT/PSAT/NMS - these are exams that you can crack with the right support and nothing supports you better than Khan Academy. It is just a question of how much time you are willing to devote in using this tool.

This is exactly what is wrong with this system and why some are pushing ton get rid of these tests. It's not testing readiness for college or intelligence. It's testing whether you know how to game the test. What a huge waste of our kids' time and a bunch of false pressure. This will not get them anywhere in life because life is not a series of standardized tests.

LOL! How is this gaming the system? Khan Academy has made this tool available for all - rich or poor - national or international- for free. It is customized to the student's needs. No need to pay test companies. Any kid who wants to study on his own can do well. What the kid does not know in terms of content knowledge he is taught. Any knowledge gap due to poor schooling is also filled If a kid cannot do well even with equitable resources and adequate support (for free), then the kid either does not have the brain power or the inclination to study. In that case, the kid can try to get into trade, army, private business, entertainment industry or sports...why should every single kid go to college? A good plumber is as needed in society as a good cardiologist.

You did not address my contention that it is a time waster and only tests ability to take a test, which is useless in life. It is learning the game for the test. No more.

It’’s not equitable. You just explained how to do it. If it was equitable, kids that don’t have parents with time to linger on DCUM would know how, too.

Be warned that tests exams midterms and finals are waiting for you DC at good colleges.
Good ability to take tests is important for success in good colleges.

Those aren’t standardized tests. Essays and nonstandardized tests are very different than these tests that you can game.

Good for you that your child spent their time learning to game the test. I hope it was not at the expense of other, equally important things.

[Anonymous]

Fwiw, my kid scored over 200 points lower on the PSAT than the actual SAT taken in the same time frame (both this fall of junior year). He was shocked - nothing bad happened and he didn’t feel it was harder than the SAT. He would have benefited from last year’s policy of being able to submit SAT rather than PSAT for NMSF. I am pretty sure his actual score would have made the cut-off.

Oh well. On to the next thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Feeling glum about sophomore DD scores-1160. GPA 3.89 UW at competitive private. I’d much rather the high GPA but still can’t help being disappointed. Just not a good test taker.

Feeling glum? Why? Her scores can only get better. Link the collegeboard account to Khan Academy. It is just a button on collegeboard account that you have to click. Khan Academy will evaluate her PSAT scores and performance instantly and create a study plan based on which areas she is weak in.

I am an old, old hand in all kinds of supplementation and enrichment for my kids - self-teaching, books, academic camps, tutors, prep companies, online packages etc - there is nothing that I have not used and auditioned. I am an extremely savvy consumer as far as education is concerned.

I can assure you that the best and most useful resource for your kid's SAT prep is Khan Academy. The real shame is that not many use it. 1160 for a sophomore means that you need to give her the right support. Please don't waste your money on the expensive prep companies. Go to Khan Academy and make her work on her personalized and interactive plan.

NP. Thank you PP for this advice.
My DS is a sophomore and was hoping to take the SAT this August after summer study. Scored 1390 and I think he was worried because his older friends say 1500+ is needed for UVA. I’ll tell him to link his scores to Khan academy as suggested.

Yes.

Also, for parents of younger kids...start taking PSAT from as early as you can. Do not miss any opportunity for your kid to take PSAT. PSAT is just that - PRACTICE PSAT. Do not practice for SAT by taking real SAT because some colleges want to see ALL the SATs you have ever taken. PSAT does not get seen by colleges. Poor PSAT performance does not impact anything come admission time. Also, PSAT are genuine Collegeboard created tests.

In early years (9, 10), its A-OK to go without any prep just so you know where you stand without any prep. Then USE the Khan Academy feature to prepare for only the content area your kid is weak in. It is like a personalized expensive Private Prep Company tutor.

Every single opportunity to take PSAT. There is a version for 8th-9th and another for 10th grade too. Remember, only your school can offer it. Only NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in Fall of Junior Year is the one that gets used for NMS. The more tests you have taken previously, the more data Khan Academy has for your kid and the more your kid can practice.

SAT Prep - Please also use Khan Academy for practice for SAT. They also use the 8 official SAT tests and they will also give you a personalize SAT practice based on your areas of weakness. They can teach content that you don't understand based on your performance. So it is a coach and a tutor - all rolled into one.

SAT/PSAT/NMS - these are exams that you can crack with the right support and nothing supports you better than Khan Academy. It is just a question of how much time you are willing to devote in using this tool.

This is exactly what is wrong with this system and why some are pushing ton get rid of these tests. It's not testing readiness for college or intelligence. It's testing whether you know how to game the test. What a huge waste of our kids' time and a bunch of false pressure. This will not get them anywhere in life because life is not a series of standardized tests.

LOL! How is this gaming the system? Khan Academy has made this tool available for all - rich or poor - national or international- for free. It is customized to the student's needs. No need to pay test companies. Any kid who wants to study on his own can do well. What the kid does not know in terms of content knowledge he is taught. Any knowledge gap due to poor schooling is also filled If a kid cannot do well even with equitable resources and adequate support (for free), then the kid either does not have the brain power or the inclination to study. In that case, the kid can try to get into trade, army, private business, entertainment industry or sports...why should every single kid go to college? A good plumber is as needed in society as a good cardiologist.

You did not address my contention that it is a time waster and only tests ability to take a test, which is useless in life. It is learning the game for the test. No more.

It’’s not equitable. You just explained how to do it. If it was equitable, kids that don’t have parents with time to linger on DCUM would know how, too.

Be warned that tests exams midterms and finals are waiting for you DC at good colleges.
Good ability to take tests is important for success in good colleges.

Those aren’t standardized tests. Essays and nonstandardized tests are very different than these tests that you can game.

Good for you that your child spent their time learning to game the test. I hope it was not at the expense of other, equally important things.

LOL yea the tests midterms finals at colleges will be highly customized and individualized just to fit your kid's taste.
Too bad your kid's education is limited and stop at bachelor level. Graduate schools, medical schools, law schools, MBA, etc all require tests for reasons LOL