PSAT question

[Anonymous]

If a senior in high school never took the PSAT, but plans to take the the SAT this November, would you recommend that he sit for the October PSAT first (as a senior). I know the typically the PSAT is taken junior year but I thought that taking the PSAT this October could serve as a "warm up" for him to get him comfortable with the testing format under "live" conditions, and I would guess he does not need to report his PSAT score to colleges. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If a senior in high school never took the PSAT, but plans to take the the SAT this November, would you recommend that he sit for the October PSAT first (as a senior). I know the typically the PSAT is taken junior year but I thought that taking the PSAT this October could serve as a "warm up" for him to get him comfortable with the testing format under "live" conditions, and I would guess he does not need to report his PSAT score to colleges. Thanks.

He should take the SAT on October as a "warm up" and again in November if needed.

[Anonymous]

Correct -- there is no need to report PSAT scores to colleges.

[Anonymous]

OP here. The student told me that he does not want to sit for the October SAT because nowadays colleges look at all of your SAT scores (unlike back when I applied 100 years ago and you could report your best scores only, even if that meant verbal from one test and math from another test) - and he does not think he will be fully prepared for the October SAT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The student told me that he does not want to sit for the October SAT because nowadays colleges look at all of your SAT scores (unlike back when I applied 100 years ago and you could report your best scores only, even if that meant verbal from one test and math from another test) - and he does not think he will be fully prepared for the October SAT.

Your student is misinformed. Colleges only look at the scores you send. Some colleges only want to see the highest you have scored on each section (called "super score"), others want your highest score taken on one day (the student gets to pick which one). The college board allows for both. Where is the student applying?

[Anonymous]

I got a scholarship for PSAT scores. Other than that, I don't know what the purpose of taking it would be. Just take the SAT twice if you have to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The student told me that he does not want to sit for the October SAT because nowadays colleges look at all of your SAT scores (unlike back when I applied 100 years ago and you could report your best scores only, even if that meant verbal from one test and math from another test) - and he does not think he will be fully prepared for the October SAT.

Actually it's reversed. Back in the day there was no score choice (not really needed anyway since so few took it more than once). Now there is score choice and schools are happy to take the highest score since it makes them look good.

The PSAT is fine as a 10th or 11th grader but it's not the same as the SAT (shorter, somewhat easier questions) so I would have him take the real SAT twice. Alternatively, or maybe in addition to, he could do a timed, scored practice test. Lots of test prep places do these and they are definitely worthwhile. You also have the benefit of getting the results right away and seeing where you did well or less well so you can focus your prep.

How did he not take the PSAT? At our public school the kids take it starting in 9th grade. It's not optional.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info - op here. I do not know why he didn't take the psat (I suspect he just didn't know he should take it - it does not sound like his school counselor is very proactive), but he is at BCC high school so the school must not require it. I will suggest he sign up for the Oct and Nov SATs - thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the info - op here. I do not know why he didn't take the psat (I suspect he just didn't know he should take it - it does not sound like his school counselor is very proactive), but he is at BCC high school so the school must not require it. I will suggest he sign up for the Oct and Nov SATs - thanks.

That's really odd. BCC is very college focused and gives the PSAT to all students during the school day. MCPS requires that all 10th graders take the PSAT, and pays for it. Most MCPS high schools give it to 9th graders as a practice, also free (you self score those, it doesn't go to the College Board). In 11th grade you do have to pay for it, but you would have gotten several school wide notices about it. So it seems odd that he would not have been aware of the PSAT administration. What did he do that morning (for 3 years in a row) instead of taking the PSAT?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the info - op here. I do not know why he didn't take the psat (I suspect he just didn't know he should take it - it does not sound like his school counselor is very proactive), but he is at BCC high school so the school must not require it. I will suggest he sign up for the Oct and Nov SATs - thanks.

That's really odd. BCC is very college focused and gives the PSAT to all students during the school day. MCPS requires that all 10th graders take the PSAT, and pays for it. Most MCPS high schools give it to 9th graders as a practice, also free (you self score those, it doesn't go to the College Board). In 11th grade you do have to pay for it, but you would have gotten several school wide notices about it. So it seems odd that he would not have been aware of the PSAT administration. What did he do that morning (for 3 years in a row) instead of taking the PSAT?

NP here, and I wondered the same thing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The student told me that he does not want to sit for the October SAT because nowadays colleges look at all of your SAT scores (unlike back when I applied 100 years ago and you could report your best scores only, even if that meant verbal from one test and math from another test) - and he does not think he will be fully prepared for the October SAT.

Your student is misinformed. Colleges only look at the scores you send. Some colleges only want to see the highest you have scored on each section (called "super score"), others want your highest score taken on one day (the student gets to pick which one). The college board allows for both. Where is the student applying?

No. Many universities still require that ALL testing results be sent.

[Anonymous]

The correct answer is "b"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The student told me that he does not want to sit for the October SAT because nowadays colleges look at all of your SAT scores (unlike back when I applied 100 years ago and you could report your best scores only, even if that meant verbal from one test and math from another test) - and he does not think he will be fully prepared for the October SAT.

Your student is misinformed. Colleges only look at the scores you send. Some colleges only want to see the highest you have scored on each section (called "super score"), others want your highest score taken on one day (the student gets to pick which one). The college board allows for both. Where is the student applying?

No. Many universities still require that ALL testing results be sent.

A few yes but most do not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The student told me that he does not want to sit for the October SAT because nowadays colleges look at all of your SAT scores (unlike back when I applied 100 years ago and you could report your best scores only, even if that meant verbal from one test and math from another test) - and he does not think he will be fully prepared for the October SAT.

Your student is misinformed. Colleges only look at the scores you send. Some colleges only want to see the highest you have scored on each section (called "super score"), others want your highest score taken on one day (the student gets to pick which one). The college board allows for both. Where is the student applying?

No. Many universities still require that ALL testing results be sent.

A few yes but most do not.

Right. And a kid who didn't bother to take the PSATs and wont take the SATs until Oct/Nov of senior year is probably not applying to those schools (tends to be only the Ivies and a few other super selective schools, plus schools like BC and Georgetown).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The student told me that he does not want to sit for the October SAT because nowadays colleges look at all of your SAT scores (unlike back when I applied 100 years ago and you could report your best scores only, even if that meant verbal from one test and math from another test) - and he does not think he will be fully prepared for the October SAT.

Your student is misinformed. Colleges only look at the scores you send. Some colleges only want to see the highest you have scored on each section (called "super score"), others want your highest score taken on one day (the student gets to pick which one). The college board allows for both. Where is the student applying?

No. Many universities still require that ALL testing results be sent.

A few yes but most do not.

Right. And a kid who didn't bother to take the PSATs and wont take the SATs until Oct/Nov of senior year is probably not applying to those schools (tends to be only the Ivies and a few other super selective schools, plus schools like BC and Georgetown).

exactly my thoughts...which high-aiming college-bound senior has not yet taken SAT???And will wait till November to take it?