when to take the PSATs
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Anonymous
| So my kid just saw a poster in a MoCo library that suggested 8th graders should take the PSAT, and then take it again in 9th and 10th grade? Back in the stone age, I think we took PSATs in 10th grade and then SATs in jr year. Is that still what people do, or do they really take the PSAT multiple years? |
Anonymous
| Most hs offers practice versions to 9th and 10th graders. The only kids I knew who took it in 8th were applying for special programs. |
Anonymous
| It depends. If you DC is aiming for National Merit, then it wouldn't hurt to start taking as early as possible. For most kids though, you can still take 9th, 10th practice exams and then take the official one as a junior. PSAT scores are not required for college admission so, again for most kids, it doesn't matter. |
Anonymous
| Do the results of these tests go on your record? Will they automatically appear when kids apply to college? |
Anonymous
No. Not on your record. See 18:20. If your DC makes the national merit, colleges know. Otherwise, no record, nobody cares. |
Anonymous
| My child goes to a top 3 private and they can only take it in 10th. No need before that. Public schools have been getting really pushy with AP's and tests. Don't fall for it. |
Anonymous
Thanks for being on the public school board telling us how bad public schools are. Very helpful. Since most PUBLIC schools give the PSAT during school, 9th and 10th graders are offered the opportunity to take the test. In our school, 9th graders took the ACT and 10th took the PSAT as a practice. It gives you a good idea which test will work better and also to see what areas may not be a s strong to focus on studying on going forward. This is not something to get worked up over. |
Anonymous
| Thanks |
Anonymous
Don't fall for it..how is having my child take advantage of a free practice run of the test falling for anything? |
Anonymous
|
DS's public high school allows 9th graders to choose between the actual PSAT or the PSAT 8/9. DS is an excellent student so I was thinking about just letting him do the actual PSAT. I figured if he did well this year and again in 10th grade it would help us decide whether it was worth doing any test prep before taking the SAT in 11th grade.
I know you get a detailed report with the PSAT 8/9 results though so maybe that would be a reason to do the PSAT 8/9 instead. Either way, we are not making a big deal of this with him - no prep or anything. |
Anonymous
| I am sorry but this is ridiculous. What is the rush? Why start the pressure? My guess is the tiger parents. If the score is low enough they will push year round $90 tutoring for 2 years so they can then brag how well their child finally did on the test. |
Anonymous
| Well my mcps school requires every 9th grader to take them so no it is not the parents. |