Can you guys tell me what the SAT or PSAT is and is it required in Washington State?

Question

Can you guys tell me what the SAT or PSAT is and is it required in Washington State?

Answer 1

the PSAT is a test to prepare you for your SAT which is one of the tests used by colleges to choose incoming students.  Most colleges except both SATs and ACT(another test) neither test is actually required but if you plan on going to college you will probably take them both.  I know I did.

Answer 2

The first answer basically sums up the SAT. I want to add that it is important, as well as the ACT, if you plan on getting accepted to colleges (in your case, Wash U). I assume you're still pretty young (maybe a freshman in high school?), but I would advise you to take these tests seriously and do your best to prepare for them and do well. For some colleges, high scores on these tests will get you scholarships and possibly full rides. The SAT now has a maximum score of 2400 (800 in mathematics, 800 in critical reading, and 800 in writing - multiple choice). There is also an essay that is scored by two people for a score between 2 and 12.

On a side note, the ACT is also accepted by most colleges. It's maximum score is a 36. A 27+ is considered to be a good --> excellent score.

Also, the PSAT is actually taken by most during junior year because that is when you will qualify for the NMSQT. The PSAT is what determines whether you will be a National Merit Semi-finalist or Finalist. If you are either, colleges will most likely give you lots of scholarships because that means you have scored in the 99th percentile (out of everyone who has taken the PSAT their junior year). Some take it sophomore year as practice for when they take it junior year, when it actually counts towards National Merit.

Good luck and hope I helped :)

Answer 3

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a measurement of your core knowledge, essentially. It compares you to other high school students across the country and scales everyone out for the purposes of competition. The test is much criticized and its value is questionable, but most universities still require it (or the ACT) for admissions.

The PSAT is the Preliminary SAT, which gives you an idea how you will perform on the SAT. You take the PSAT in your sophomore year. It is generally a revenue generator for the testing service. It doesn't mean a lot. Most people take it for bragging rights for their parents. It may tell how you will do on the SAT, but in the long run, there's not much you can do about that either.

Washington State accepts either the SAT or the ACT.

This link to the WSU website gives you a detailed overview of what you need to apply:

http://futurestudents.wsu.edu/admission/...