PSAT QuestionsAnswered
I will be a 9th grader this fall and am wondering if I should take the PSAT. All I really know about is that it's like the SAT, but focused towards 8th and 9th grade levels. Will colleges value the results as much as the SAT? Where do I find additional info and is it too late to apply? Thank you to whoever answers :))
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4 answers
I really recommend taking it. Colleges don’t really take it into account, but it gives you a great starting point on where you’re at involving the math and reading/grammar and what you have to work on. It also helps you practice working under the time constraint of the SAT since they’re almost exactly the same so when you do take the SAT you might not panic as much or it’ll run smoother. I know my school held opportunities to sign up in the fall to take it so i’d recommend emailing a counselor to see if this is available at your school if you can. If not i’m sure there’s a way to sign up on the college board website which you should make an account on if you haven’t already.
As you said, the PSAT is very similar to the SAT, so it is useful to take it to understand your strengths and weaknesses so you improve in those areas. Unfortunately, I don't remember what my freshman year PSAT was like, so I can't really verify that it is focused on 8th and 9th-grade levels. However, the SAT in itself is focused on math from 8th grade-10th grade, just depends on what year you took what class. For math, it's geometry and algebra entirely with minimum basic trigonometry in it which you learn in geometry. The English section is only grammar and comprehension: 1 fiction passage, 2 science passages, and I believe 1 history passage.
From my understanding, unless you want to take the SAT this year or the next, there is no need for you to take the PSAT now unless your school is the one that hosts the test. It's usually used as a resource to give you an understanding f where you're at and how you're expected to do it. The SAT is more about techniques rather than knowledge and information.
Colleges do value PSAT results, I know that if you get a 1300 or 1400+ (one of those scores) you get some sort of award from colleges recognizing intelligence or something (not that the SAT can prove intelligence, it's literally all just about technique). It isn't a very important test, but if you're aiming for said recognition then yes, it technically does have value.
Collegeboard has all the information you want on the PSATs. It's never too late to apply. they always have recurring tests on specific dates that you can sign up for if you so choose to.
I think you should focus on studying for PSAT/NMSQT or the SAT regarding test prep as they can help earn scholarships and have more effect on college applications. Although you can take the PSAT 8/9 to get a feel of what it is like.
Hello!
Colleges don't look at the PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10, but I think they might look at the PSAT. I wouldn't suggest taking the PSAT 8/9. Instead of using your time to study for it, I would use that time and use khanacademy.org. The website has really great resources. Once you reach tenth grade, the PSAT 10 might help. However, once again, colleges don't look at this. In eleventh grade, you can take the PSAT. At this point, you could be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship (https://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp). I don't know for sure if colleges look at this score, but the scholarship can be helpful. The SAT can also be taken the same year. A lot of my friends have done this.
Hope this helps!
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