stephanier.1765 Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Eons ago I went to the high school to sign up my son for the PSAT but I must have hit an especially busy day because the place was a zoo and they only took my name and number so they could get back to me. When I didn't hear back, I just let it go because my son is only in 9th grade and if he didn't take it, it was no big deal. Well, the test coordinator just called this morning (yes at 7:30 am) to schedule my son for the PSAT which is in ONE week. One! We haven't done the first thing to prepare. Should I have him skip it or go ahead and take it cold? I just don't know what to do. Help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 I would have him take it as it's good practice. The school should have a test practice booklet which you could have him review so that he is familiar with the format. I wouldn't worry about studying. He has plenty of time for that. This test should be about getting used to taking timed tests in a formal school setting, getting used to the format of the PSAT and getting a score so that you know what to study. HTH, Lisa, who has sent several 9th graders to the PSAT for a cold score. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 I would have him take it as it's good practice. The school should have a test practice booklet which you could have him review so that he is familiar with the format. I wouldn't worry about studying. He has plenty of time for that. This test should be about getting used to taking timed tests in a formal school setting, getting used to the format of the PSAT and getting a score so that you know what to study. HTH, Lisa, who has sent several 9th graders to the PSAT for a cold score. :iagree: Dd15 (10th grade) is taking it this year through her school. She wants to study but I'm only letting her go through the booklet to familiarize herself with the test format. She's taken many standardized tests in the past but all are different. A cold score is best for our purposes, so that we can see what she might need next year when it really counts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonor Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 I strongly agree. Send him just for practice. Prepare him mentally for the fact that he is going unprepared but that this does not count and no one will see this score except you. I sould do as Lisa says,You can get the Student Guide here: http://www.nationalmerit.org/student_guide.pdf I copied this from a post by Mom in the Garden. Take a look at the booklet so that he can be familiar with the test and the directions for each section. I regret not having done this with my ds. Now, I'm looking at using it as practice for SAT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 I would have him take it as it's good practice. The school should have a test practice booklet which you could have him review so that he is familiar with the format. I wouldn't worry about studying. He has plenty of time for that. This test should be about getting used to taking timed tests in a formal school setting, getting used to the format of the PSAT and getting a score so that you know what to study. HTH, Lisa, who has sent several 9th graders to the PSAT for a cold score. :iagree: Do at least one practice test with him before the test, and then tell him to just do his best and have fun with the experience. No pressure - just practice. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted October 5, 2010 Author Share Posted October 5, 2010 Thank you! You all are completely awesome. I feel 100% better about him doing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigid in NC Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 :iagree: Do at least one practice test with him before the test' date=' and then tell him to just do his best and have fun with the experience. No pressure - just practice. :)[/quote'] :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicmom Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 :iagree:Yes--I'd suggest you get the practice booklet from the school and just do the practice test that's in it. That will get his feet wet, and familiarize him with the format. Then just go ahead and take the test. It will be good experience and he has LOTS of time to prepare before it counts for real. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 I specifically wanted ds to take the PSAT in 10th with no prep to get a baseline score. :0) Actually, he didn't do too bad on it but not Amazing either. It was about what we expected. This year (11th) he has done some prep work over the summer. By having the first set of results, he knew what to work on the most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter's Moon Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 I think you should have your son take it without any studying to see what absolutely needs to be worked on. I did that in 10th grade. I didn't study or anything for it. Just took it and saw what I needed to work on. It only counts in 11th, so I think it would be awesome for him to take it now without studying, study for 10th to see what he still needs improvement on, and then in 11th, take it and hopefully he will qualify for the National Merit Scholarship because he will be accustomed to the test and fully prepared because he worked on everything that needed to be worked on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted October 8, 2010 Author Share Posted October 8, 2010 Once again you all prove how wise you are. I took your advice and told my son exactly what you suggested and then went to the high school to pay the fee. The test coordinator couldn't have been more wonderful or reassuring about letting me know that my son would be well taken care of. He is the only homeschooler they have taking the PSAT this year. Considering that our county has one of the largest homeschool populations in the country, I find that a bit distressing. I'm hoping the homeschoolers are still taking the test but that they are using private schools instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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