Jump to content

Menu

Pros and cons of taking PSAT in middle school


Recommended Posts

Before I start inquiring with schools if they can administer it (just the thought of it makes me stressed as I don't live in a friendly homeschool area) has anyone else taken PSAT in middle school? Does the score count?

 

DD would like to start taking timed tests in classrooms before they start counting. We've already done SAT Latin last year and will do SAT Spanish and Latin in December with possibility of adding listening tests in the summer. She's thinking of the SAT as well but we're only done with algebra and geometry. I don't even have the Int. Algebra books yet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There isn't any point unless perhaps your student really needs standardized test practice.  The only PSAT that counts for National Merit or for National Hispanic Recognition Program is the PSAT/NMSQT in 11th grade.

My boys took the PSAT 8/9 this past year in 8th grade (completely cold, of course).  It is supposedly shows what score they'd get if they took the SAT on the same day; that is, by the time they take the SAT in a few years, growth in score would be expected.  (So one of the scored in the 99th percentile for math but the score was only in the 600s.)  Eh, I don't think the scores are meaningful at all.  They are the types of kids likely to benefit from prep, so I don't think much of unprepped scores.

Edited by wapiti
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If 1) your student needs practice taking standardized tests under "real" conditions, 2) your student will not find the experience traumatic, and 3) you are hoping for NM status, then I think 8th grade practice may be valuable.  But no, the scores don't count for anything.

 

FWIW, my DD took it in 8th and I'm glad she did.  She's a bit of geek and actually enjoys taking standardized tests.  We were both a bit surprised how grueling she found it to be.  She elected to take it again in 9th and will likely take it again in the fall.  We are hoping that the experience will be "old hat" by 11th.  She is very likely to qualify for NM in our state.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pro:  It completely demystifies the exam.  I took the SAT in 7th grade for the Duke TIP thing.  I did reasonably well, and I wasn't stressed at all for the real thing.  I did the same thing with my kids. 

 

I agree with dmmetler, it's much easier to sign up for the SAT than to find a school to allow you to take the PSAT with them.  

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ds (8th grade) is taking the SAT on Saturday. Registering was easy for that and we did not go through a talent search. 

 

I decided to have him take it because we have to do some kind of end of year evaluation. One option is a standardized test and it will count for that. So I figured it meets that requirement and is actually practice for a test he will have to take eventually. Also I figured just having the experience of it is worth something instead of having the first big test he takes be something that does matter. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes to act/sat. Dd12 took the act in feb and was a great experience. I will probably have my other kids do it in middle school too. She came out of it saying she should have taken a full practice test prior and thought she bombed it. Then the scores came and she realized what colleges she could be accepted into NOW with those. Powerful to say the least.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone! Why give myself the added stress of finding a school for PSAT as I still have to find a school that will let DD take an AP exam next year. I looked them up and neither categories of schools overlap. If we don't set our minds on the PSAT it'll be easier to have a take it or leave it attitude. We have one private neighborhood school that I could walk over and ask, but at least when I ask I won't have to ask with pleading eyes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes to act/sat. Dd12 took the act in feb and was a great experience. I will probably have my other kids do it in middle school too. She came out of it saying she should have taken a full practice test prior and thought she bombed it. Then the scores came and she realized what colleges she could be accepted into NOW with those. Powerful to say the least.

Interesting..... How do ou look that up?  (What colleges you can get into?)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting..... How do ou look that up?  (What colleges you can get into?)

 

google any college and "common data set".  That will usually pull up the actual common data set document or else a link to a page on the college's website with some data.  Not all colleges publish the actual common data set form.  The common data set will provide scores for the 25th and 75 percentiles - I believe in the CDS that's usually among accepted students, not among those who then choose to enroll (there's a slight difference).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...