Hey, just took the PSAT as an 8th grader and I'm not quite sure how to interpret my score. What do people generally consider a good score at this level? Do colleges even look at these scores?
Hi there! Great initiative taking the PSAT in 8th grade—that's a great way to get a head start on understanding standardized tests. Generally, a 'good' score can depend on your personal goals and the baseline for high school students which is around the 920-960 range on the new PSAT out of 1520 for sophomores and juniors. For an 8th grader, anything above 700-800 can be considered solid, since you are not expected to have covered all the content yet, However, it's more about gauging where you are and where you need to improve. Colleges don't use PSAT scores for admissions decisions, especially not from 8th grade. It's purely a practice tool at this point. Do keep in mind that if you're aiming for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program down the road, scores start to become more critical in your junior year. Keep studying and testing—you're on the right track!
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