What is a good PSAT score for a sophomore?

[Anonymous]

We're new to the whole testing environment and our DD who is a sophomore at one of the local privates just got her PSAT scores. While the percentile is high (overall 94th - I think the actual score is 1220), we have no idea what this means as compared to the smaller population of the D.C. privates. For parents whose kids have taken the PSAT can you give some guidance on what scores your child received as a sophomore and how much they went up by senior year?

[Anonymous]

It doesn’t matter. Colleges don’t see these scores. It’s a waste of time to compare now with other kids. Check out the admitted students profile for the colleges that your kid is interested in. Then, you make a plan of study for when the testing counts.

[Anonymous]

It’s true that it doesn’t matter, but it can give your kid a sense of how much they might want to study in the future. Their score will likely go up quite a bit without studying, but if hoping for National merit you’d need to see over 250 points increase - possible but would be tough

[Anonymous]

Yes, national merit would be tough but we really don't know the situation.

If DD is taking geometry, then she hasn't even had all the math yet.

OP, what did DD say about the test when she took it?

Did she think she knew all the answers and was surprised by a 1220?

What is her GPA? How rigorous are her classes?

[Anonymous]

1220 is a great PSAT score...as you pointed it, it's in the 94th percentile. A good SAT prep class should bump up the score 150 to 250 points.

My oldest son had a 1290 PSAT in 10th grade and ended up with 1530 on his first try at the start of Junior year. Several practice tests and a prep 10-week prep class (meeting 2 times/week for 2 hrs) did the trick.

Regarding the national merit score, there is a link on the test results which will take you to the NMST score. I think 94th percentile should be around a 183...222 or 223 was the required score in Maryland/VA. That's a good initial reference point. She would need to get into the 99th+ to get qualified. However, if you move to North Dakota, she is a shoe in for a national merit winner (the required score is different for each state).

[Anonymous]

It's out of 1520 so where did he get the extra 10 points lol?

[Anonymous]

One of mine had an 1160 in 10th ended up with a 1310.

The other had a 1420 in 10th ended up with a 1600.

Both prepped. I think it is more likely to get a 150 point bump rather than a 250 point bump.

[Anonymous]

"It's out of 1520 so where did he get the extra 10 points lol?"

Most everyone starts with a PSAT 10 score and then quotes their super scored SAT score.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're new to the whole testing environment and our DD who is a sophomore at one of the local privates just got her PSAT scores. While the percentile is high (overall 94th - I think the actual score is 1220), we have no idea what this means as compared to the smaller population of the D.C. privates. For parents whose kids have taken the PSAT can you give some guidance on what scores your child received as a sophomore and how much they went up by senior year?

Did DD take the PSAT 10 or PSAT NMSQT? Supposedly our high school offers you the choice as a sophomore. Not sure which one my DD should take.

[Anonymous]

They gave a percentile - how could you not know what that means??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're new to the whole testing environment and our DD who is a sophomore at one of the local privates just got her PSAT scores. While the percentile is high (overall 94th - I think the actual score is 1220), we have no idea what this means as compared to the smaller population of the D.C. privates. For parents whose kids have taken the PSAT can you give some guidance on what scores your child received as a sophomore and how much they went up by senior year?

Did DD take the PSAT 10 or PSAT NMSQT? Supposedly our high school offers you the choice as a sophomore. Not sure which one my DD should take.

Those are the exact same tests. the "NMSQT" is simply to designate that you took it junior year and therefore it counted towards National Merit. There is a PST 8/9 which is actually different -- simpler.

[Anonymous]

Those are the exact same tests. the "NMSQT" is simply to designate that you took it junior year and therefore it counted towards National Merit. There is a PST 8/9 which is actually different -- simpler.

No, there actually is a test called PSAT 10. FCPS just gives the regular PSAT to sophomores. If given a choice between that and a PSAT 10, I think I would just have my kid take the regular PSAT - it's probably a better predictor of how your kid would do on the PSAT and SAT in 11th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Those are the exact same tests. the "NMSQT" is simply to designate that you took it junior year and therefore it counted towards National Merit. There is a PST 8/9 which is actually different -- simpler.

No, there actually is a test called PSAT 10. FCPS just gives the regular PSAT to sophomores. If given a choice between that and a PSAT 10, I think I would just have my kid take the regular PSAT - it's probably a better predictor of how your kid would do on the PSAT and SAT in 11th grade.

Huh? FCPS gives the PSAT10 to sophomores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"It's out of 1520 so where did he get the extra 10 points lol?"

Most everyone starts with a PSAT 10 score and then quotes their super scored SAT score.

The way I wrote the sentence wasn't clear. The 1530 wasn't the 11th grade PSAT, it was his actual SAT. I was providing a data point around PSAT scores and how they can jump up when taking the actual SAT after a prep class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1220 is a great PSAT score...as you pointed it, it's in the 94th percentile. A good SAT prep class should bump up the score 150 to 250 points.

My oldest son had a 1290 PSAT in 10th grade and ended up with 1530 on his first try at the start of Junior year. Several practice tests and a prep 10-week prep class (meeting 2 times/week for 2 hrs) did the trick.

Regarding the national merit score, there is a link on the test results which will take you to the NMST score. I think 94th percentile should be around a 183...222 or 223 was the required score in Maryland/VA. That's a good initial reference point. She would need to get into the 99th+ to get qualified. However, if you move to North Dakota, she is a shoe in for a national merit winner (the required score is different for each state).

PP, would you mind letting me know which prep class did your DS attend?