Should I take the PSAT?

Question

I'm an incoming sophomore, and I just got a notice from my school about taking the PSAT in October. I haven't prepared for it at all, and I'm wondering if I should take it anyways. I'm going to ask the opinions of my friends and family, but I just wondered what others, with experience, would say. Do college admissions people see the PSAT score, and if so, will it count at all? If I'm an honors student with A grades, and I start studying now, will I do well?

Answer 1

The PSAT's only relevance is that it predicts how well you'll do on the actual SAT and, if you do well enough, you can get a scholarship.

I didn't study, and I did fine. (Ninety plus percentiles on all.)

So it's nothing to worry about, really.

Answer 2

Take the PSAT. Even though most colleges don't require the PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores, they still encourage it and it helps get into a good college. If you plan on taking the SAT, which I personally recommend, you should really take the PSAT. Also, if you get a good score, it can qualify you to be a national merit scholar THAT is a really huge achievement. And don't be too worried about preparation- get a prep book from the Princeton review or Kaplan and work on it for 30 minutes a day, six days a week. And take a practice test a few days before the real thing so that you're not nervous. But seriously, it's not that hard. I took the real SAT when I was 12, and got a pretty good score. Good luck, and you can email me if you have any questions!

Answer 3

I am also an honor's student wiht straight a's, and I would definatly suggest taking it.

It really let's you know what the actual SAT is going to be like, and it is better practice than you could do on your own. It is an invaluable resource and I would not pass it up.

My english teacher also said that the more times you take the SAT, practice or actual, the higher you score on the test. It's worth a shot!

Answer 4

you should

it's a good practice

and u can apply for national merit scholarship if you get a good score.

good luck :)

Answer 5

You can't qualify for the National Merit Scholarship as a sophomore (only as a junior), but taking the PSAT as a sophomore is still an excellent idea because it gives you an opportunity to practice for both the SAT and the PSAT in your junior year (which counts for money).  The PSAT is not important in admissions (sometimes, rarely, colleges ask for your score, but it's not an important factor by any means), but the SAT can be an important factor, and the earlier you start studying for the SAT/PSAT (by studying for one, you're intrinsically studying for both), the better.  

Answer 6

no point,...save the worrying and stress for the REAL SAT'S

Answer 7

I wasnt planning on taking it but my guidance counsler really pushed me into doing it. I only had about a week to study with one of those PSAT books. When I got my scores they werent horrible and I ended up getting a lot of e-mails from colleges because of it. So I would say yeah it is pretty worth taking! Good luck!

Answer 8

if your school offers it for free then you should take it. my school let us take the psat for free twice, but if you have to pay, i don't think you should. sat prep books all have similar questions to those on both the psat and the sat, so if a book is cheaper than the PSAT, then don't take it.

Answer 9

colleges don't see your psat score- and you don't have to be prepared to take it. they offer the test in high school so you can see what to expect and find out which category you need the most work in. I took it. It helped me a lot. It doesn't count against you in any way, its just a way to show YOU what you need to do to prepare for the real thing. My junior year, a SAT-prep class was offered, and i took it... that helped a lot. if your school offers that class or a class like it- TAKE IT!! Good luck on your PSAT. i'm sure you'll do fine...  prepare yourself for trick questions- there are a lot of em on there.

Answer 10

yeah, take it, why not? here's why:

a) it'll give you an idea of the sat. (although it doesn't "prepare" you, you still need to study for the sat)

b) you'll get a projected score for your sat, so you'll know what to work on.

c) and if you're an honors student with a's, even if you don't study (and definitely if you study) you'll have a chance at the national merit scholarship. not too much money ($2500) but definitely good on your resume and a big honor.

why not? taking it only costs like $12 anyways.  

Answer 11

Its good to take.

It gets your ready for the real thing.