I’m a little confused by my PSAT score report. There's a bunch of different numbers and percentiles. Can someone explain to me how to read it properly, so I know what areas I need to work on?
Absolutely, I would be happy to help you decipher your PSAT score report. First off, your total score, which ranges from 320 to 1520, is the sum of your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score and your Math score, each ranging from 160 to 760. This total score gives you a broad-stroke idea of how you did overall.
Next, on your score report, you'll see section scores for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and for Math. Underneath these, you'll find test scores for Reading, Writing, and Language, and Math, ranging from 8 to 38. These scores are going to point you toward specific areas within each section where you could improve. Your report also includes sub-scores for areas like 'Command of Evidence' and 'Words in Context', which range from 1 to 15, pinpointing even more specific skills to work on.
An example for clarity: If you scored particularly low in 'Words in Context,' you might want to focus on improving your vocabulary skills. It's a great idea to review these areas with your teachers or a tutor to bolster your skills before the SAT!
Finally, the percentiles compare your performance with that of other test-takers. The Nationally Representative Sample percentile compares you to all high school students in the grade, while the User percentile compares you only to students who took the PSAT.
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