Mine wouldn't apply...apparently, the rates have changed significantly since I took it. I heard it's about 150-200 points easier now.
Took it in 1983. I can remember my SAT and GRE but not my PSAT anymore. Must be the Alzheimer's kicking in. Was a National Merit Scholar but then so was 5 percent of the population.
Never took the PSAT or the TASP (was part of the last group of people exempt from the TASP). I didn't do well on my SAT (1060), either, though my understanding is that when I took it, I was still under the old, supposedly harder test.
How can something that can be maxed at 240 be 200 points easier? Well, in 1999 the PSAT was a 240pt scale with 3 sections worth 80 max each: Math, Verbal, and a newly introduced Grammar. Prior to that, Verbal was doubled the Math score value to hold the Asian people down because too many Asian people were disproportionally getting National Merit Scholarships (which the PSAT is like the main qualifier for), even though the SAT does not double the Verbal weight. Grammar was just another way to make it more PC, but with the same intended effect. Still though, you can't hold us down. I got a 217 or 219 or something, did the free college thing, but realize now that mainstream life sucks and am subsequently labeled as an underachiever cause I'm not doing what I'm supposed to do like become a doctor or lawyer or something. College is a business. They want to look good and make money. Star Athletes will get free rides because colleges make money off of them. To all the Parents Out There: If you're kids are getting close to being a Junior in HS, and they have potential, the PSAT is in a way more important than the SAT. It is the National Merit Scholarship qualifier. No matter how well rounded your kids are, colleges won't give you a dime unless they're "special". And if they score well on the PSAT, they're considered "special" because it will improve the colleges ratings. The PSAT will get your kids full rides to major universities. A&M didn't give a fukk that I busted my ass to get on the tennis team, or that I ran my ass off everyday trying to qualify for an NROTC program, or that I conducted the orchestra, or anything else. All that **** that was important in my life was considered "filler", but because I tested well, I was "special" and had "potential". Don't take this as me complaining about the system....it's a critique. And I'm just letting the word out to y'all BBS parents about how you can get your kids to have a free college education.
I fluctuate like a wavelength: PSAT Sophomore year: 145 First SAT: 1170 PSAT Junior year: 201 Second SAT: 1210 Third SAT (this Saturday): 1570
Congrats man. Now get to work on those scholarship apps. There are too many of them out there going unfilled. Unless to absolutely love working...wait a minute, you can still work in college, and you'll have more pocket money.
You know, scholarship advice is what I need. I mean counselors, people tell you about scholarships, but just not what they involve. Obviously financial aid is a different thing (as in loans), but neither of my brothers got scholarships mainly because they never pursued them. I'm not sure how to go about getting any exactly. And I really don't feel like writing a short essay begging for money. I don't know what to write about to get a chance at aid anyway. Any idea of what scholarships are more reliable/better than others? How much does community/volunteer work factor in because, uhh, I'm not really into helping people (not that I'm selfish or anything).
PSAT: 1210 SAT: 1310 I did much better in math than the other section. But it doesnt show in my math classes.
only took sat once, and didn't do that great (hungover). I would like to take it again 15 years later but the math would probably kill me now.
I took mine early last year as a sophmore and got something equivalent to a 1080, I believe. I supposed to take it again in a few weeks. Last year, I had a more difficuly English class that helped me and my math class was pretty difficult as well, so hopefully I should do much better. I want as much stuff as I can get. Which reminds me, I need to finally install that Kaplan program thing that my dad bought weeks ago to help me out.
It shows my incredible ability to take standardized tests in high school, and my incredible ability to fail all the tests I take in college.
