PSAT question?

Question

Can you take the PSAT twice? Because I really want to take it in sophmore year, but I also want to take it in junior year to try for the National Merit Scholarship. But I also want time to be able to retake my SATs, so I don't want to take them senior year. Can I take like, the PSAT sophmore year, then in the begginging of junior year take the SAT, keep retaking it until i get the score I want, and on top of that take the PSAT in the last semester of junior year to get a chance at the national merit scholarship? Suggestions?

Answer 1

Most people take the PSAT in October of their sophomore and junior year...sophomores can't be qualified for national merit as you know though. You can't take the PSAT the last semester of junior year...you can't choose when to take it...it's a one shot situtation. I really wouldn't keep retaking the SATs more than 3 times though b/c a) it's a lot of money that  you could be using for college applications and b) you'll know your limit for test scores by the 2nd try if you really study. So...this is what I'd advise you to do: take the PSAT in Oct. of your sophomore year, take the SATs in Oct. of your junior year and then take the PSAT of the same month (great preparation). Then take the SATs again in 6 or so months---like March of your junior year. If your still not confident w/ your score take it again in June, but I'd tell you to stop after the 2nd time...also, don't forget about subject tests that are recommended or required for some schools. You can't take SAT I and subject tests on the same day, so you really have to limit the number of times you take the reasoning test. For study guides, use Kaplan's comprehensive and 12 practice tests review books; Princeton Review's my second choice, but NEVER use Barron's--unless you feel like stressing out before a college entrance exam.

Hope this really helps...

Answer 2

Yes, yes, yes to all. I wish I had had your motivation earlier. Still, things turned out okay. Your current plan seems to be perfect, except as I think a previous response noted: most people take the PSAT in the fall of their junior year, I wasn't aware that junior was an option.

Answer 3

You can take the psat sophmore year, but it won't count until junior year. It is a good idea to take SAT's beginning of your Junior year.

Answer 4

My school requires that we take the PSAT twice-- once in October of sophomore year and another time in October of junior year. However, I think that the PSAT national merit scholarship eligibility only applies to people in their junior year-- and furthermore the score of the PSAT has to be near perfect.

I am not sure if you can take it more than two times-- you can call the collegeboard number: 1-888-477-PSAT

There are more frequently asked questions about the PSAT here:

http://www.a2zcolleges.com/exams/psat.ht...