How to get a 200 or better on the PSAT?

Question

In my school, the combine the PSAT and the NMSQT scores toghether and whoever gets a 200 or better gets put on a list of Junior Scholars, how can I get a 200 or better I got a 178 last time... What should I study, how can I prepare?

Answer 1

Nationwide, the PSAT/NMSQT is given every year. It is also the same test, so the 'two' test scores are not 'combined'.

Getting a 200 is virtually the same as getting a 2000 on the SAT. If you are getting a 178 right now, that puts your SAT score at about 1780.

If you are already scoring high 70-ish on some of these sections, try to perfect it (that means you are close to an 80!, and it means you're good at it!) and work more on the other sections to up those scores.

To prepare for the following...

Critical Reading: Study vocabulary! Read lots of informational articles, essays, and classics. This prepares you for what you will find on t he test.

Mathematics: Study high school math. The SAT covers up to Geometry and Algebra Two, or Trigonometry. Familiarize yourself with the concepts and HOW TO USE YOUR CALCULATOR.

Writing: Study grammatical rules. There is no essay on the PSAT.

Also, take lots of practice tests. I find that it was helpful when I took the PSAT. Familiarize yourself with the material that iwll be presented. Take tests time from time, and score it honestly. See if youre making progress. If you arent, ask someone for help in a topic.

It might feel very annoying and tedious at first, but it WILL pay off. Especially since the PSAT is generally given around October or November (or sometime in the fall), depending on the school. Make a time table for yourself!

Also, if you are aiming for a 200 to hit your school's list of Junior Scholars, why not try to hit the bar for National Merit Scholar? It varies every year depending on how the test takers do, but the bar is always higher than 200.

Hopefully this was helpful, and good luck on your PSAT!