Hey guys, just took the PSAT as a freshman and got a 1030. I'm kinda nervous about it; is this a good starting point? How should I plan my prep to really kill it junior year when it counts for National Merit? Any advice would be stellar!
Hey there! A 1030 is a solid starting point for a freshman, especially considered you may not have even covered some of the material on the test yet! To prepare for your junior year, I'd recommend creating a consistent study schedule. Start by brushing up on the basics, especially areas where you found yourself struggling. Identify if you need more help with math or evidence-based reading and writing and focus there. Working with either a prep book, like the one offered by the Princeton Review, or an online resource like Khan Academy, which offers free, targeted PSAT practice, can be really helpful. Another tip is to take plenty of practice tests under timed conditions to get used to the format and timing of the exam. This will not only improve your familiarity with the test but also help reduce any test-day anxiety.
Finally, as I said above, remember that there might be some things on the test you just haven't learned yet, so be patient with yourself! If you're really struggling with geometry, but know you'll be taking that class sophomore year, it's probably a better idea to just wait rather than beating your head against the wall with constant practice questions.
Stick with it, and I'm confident you'll see your score increase over time—best of luck!
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