crazyforlatin Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 (edited) 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 May 31, 2017 by wapiti 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 I'd do the SAT or ACT. It's easier to take since you can register directly. And it opens a lot more doors, because everyone knows what it means. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJosMom Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathkath Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 The PSAT only counts in 11th grade. SAT scores only count if you petition the SAT to save the score; otherwise, it gets deleted if taken before 9th grade. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyforlatin Posted June 1, 2017 Author Share Posted June 1, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerriM Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 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?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 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). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathkath Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Interesting..... How do ou look that up? (What colleges you can get into?) http://www.collegesimply.com/guides/colleges-by-test-score/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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