5 Things You Need to Know About the PSAT, Redesigned SAT, and Revised ACT
9th, 10th, and 11th graders all take some version of the PSAT (whether it's the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, or PSAT/NMSQT), and 11th & 12th graders take the Redesigned SAT or Revised ACT. There is a lot of information out there. Some is good info. Some is bad info. Some use scare-tactics. Some info is wrong. Some info is boring. So let me keep this short, simple, and to the point, so you can get the information you need for your high-school student trying to make his way through standardized testing for his college admissions ambitions.
1. The PSAT 8/9 - What's the Point?
Glad you asked. The PSAT 8/9 is a version of the PSAT/NMSQT which is supposed to gauge an 8th or 9th grade students ability levels in math, reading, writing, and a little history and science, in order to determine what students need to work on during their high school careers in order to be college ready. Districts and schools pay for these exams, so they are free for students.
Should Your Student Take It? Yes.
Will colleges care what you scored on it? No.
2. The PSAT 10 - What's the Deal?
The PSAT is another version of the PSAT/NMSQT but it is specifically geared toward sophomores. Almost every school I know offers their PSAT/NMSQT to their sophomores and juniors.
Should Your Student Take It? No.
Will colleges care what you scored on it? No.
3. The PSAT/NMSQT - Ok, now we're talking.
The PSAT/NMSQT is considered an introduction to the SAT for Sophomores and Juniors who are considering taking the SAT in the spring of their Junior year, or fall of their Senior year. The PSAT/NMSQT is offered in mid-october, and sophomores and juniors alike will take it.
However, sophomores are not eligible for the National Merit Scholarship that everyone loves talking about.
Juniors are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship, which is a collection of scholarship funds created by public and private institutions and companies who want to provide scholarship money to students who score extremely well on the PSAT/NMSQT. Other factors play a role - some special interest groups may care about other factors, perhaps gender, ethnicity, location, or something else entirely.
The fact is, only an extremely small percentage of students will receive the National Merit Scholarship award. Although being even a "semi-finalist" will look good on a college resume, it is not critical to you achieving your goal of attending a highly-selective institution. Having said that, it is always a good idea for a junior to do his or her best on the exam for many reasons, more than going after this award.
The PSAT/NMSQT can be used as a decent indicator of how a student will perform on the real SAT. On a scale of 320-1520, students can expect to receive the same score on the real SAT as they did on the PSAT/NMSQT if they do not learn anything new between the time they took the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT exam.
I use the word "decent", because it is not a great indicator of how a student will perform on the SAT for so many reasons. Let's discuss these reasons in detail.
- The PSAT is much shorter than the SAT. Endurance does, in fact, play a significant role in student outcomes on the SAT. Want to know how you'll actually do on the SAT? Take a Full-Length, SAT Diagnostic. These are 4-hours, so do it on a weekend. They are free on our website and we'll e-mail you your score-report and analysis within 1-business day.
- The PSAT doesn't have the SAT essay. The SAT essay is said to be "optional", but the truth is, most universities "recommend" that students do the SAT essay. This means, do the essay.
- The PSAT concordance scales are skewed - there is too small of a sample size on the new PSAT for the College Board to make accurate predictions on what a student's score would be on the SAT. In fact, they won't even release SAT scores after the March administration, because they want the May SAT completed as well before they determine what students' scores should be based on their statistical analysis.
The point? The PSAT is great for students because it's free practice on campus. You can also get a National Merit Scholarship award as a junior, but don't count on it.
Should Your Student Take It? Yes.
Will colleges care what you scored on it? No.
4. The Redesigned SAT
The elephant in the room that everyone sees but no one wants to talk about. What is so scary about a redesigned test? Fear of the unknown, I guess, but good thing is everyone knows everything by now. So let's talk about it.
The College Board, creators of the SAT, is attempting to regain market share from the ACT with a new, Redesigned SAT promising to be the best predictor of college success at various universities. They claim it's unbiased. They claim it tests achievement over aptitude. They claim by reducing the number of questions, adding time to sections, incorporating more reading into the math section, making the essay an analysis rather than an opinion, focusing more an Algebra, reducing the amount of vocabulary, and the like, that they've created a test that will truly show if a student is college-ready or not. They claim that it is a better test than the old SAT, and a better test than the ACT.
I agree with them.
This new SAT is really a great test for so many reasons. I could go on and on, but I'll tell you the basics. If your student is a strong reader, good writer, and knows his or her algebra concepts, he or she will do very well on this exam. I think that this test, since it's not so focused on timing and "tricks", it will be more fair for students in general.
Can you still learn tricks and tactics to boost your score? Of course. What test have you ever heard of where you "can't prepare?" I even prepare for my blood tests (eat healthily for 2-weeks, watch those numbers drop, feel like $1,000,000 walking out of there). There is nothing wrong with preparing for tests. It reduces anxiety and increases achievement. I guess that's what prompted me to work for Tried & True Tutoring, the SAT & ACT test prep experts. We do 1-on-1, in-home private SAT for students who want to increase their scores significantly. Yes, we provide a score-boost, money-back guarantee. Yes we have the best tutors. Yes we are the most widely trusted tutoring company in Los Angeles and Ventura County. Opinion or fact, it's hard to say, but I'm confident in that statement. Shameless plug? Definitely.
The new SAT beats the ACT in one way. The ACT science section is a real problem. 40 questions in 35 minutes, students are rushed to complete it. It is based too much on speed rather than comprehension and accuracy. When is the last time you saw a scientist racing a 35-minute clock to complete an experiment and come up with analysis? Maybe for that one student who forgot to do his lab and is trying to get it done outside of class during nutrition. However, the scientist I want working on the next cure for the cancer is the one who took his or her time to read the charts and graphs, identify trends, contemplate the results, and draw conclusions. Speed is too heavy a factor, and frankly, not a good predictor of college success, and I believe colleges will find that over the next few years and begin to favor the new SAT. At that point, the ACT will probably give a redesign to the Science section.
The new SAT is on a scale of 400-1600. The average score will fall somewhere around 1000. UCLA will want around a 1300. UCSB 1200. Ivy leagues, near perfect. Through 1-on-1 tutoring, a 200-point score increase will be average and part of our score boost guarantee.
Should Your Student Take It? Yes, if they aren't taking the ACT.
Will colleges care what you scored on it? Yes.
5. The Revised ACT
Want to know about the revised ACT? Check out our other post here.
Should Your Student Take It? Yes, if they aren't taking the SAT.
Will colleges care what you scored on it? Yes.
So let's recap:
PSAT 8/9 - Sure, take it, why not
PSAT 10 - Does anyone actually take this?
PSAT/NMSQT - National Merit Scholarship is unlikely, but, good practice, decent predictor of SAT and college success
Redesigned SAT & Revised ACT - Take a practice test of the ACT through our website, compare it to your PSAT score or Mock SAT score and decide which test is right for you.
You need to finish one of these exams by October of your Senior year to be safely done in time to apply to the universities of your choice.
If you have any questions about the Redesigned SAT, Revised ACT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 8/9, or any college admissions related questions, give us a call at 747-444-9907 or e-mail us at info@triedandtruetutoring.com.
Here's to a successful SAT & ACT!
