Should i take the psat in 11th grade

Except in a few special cases, if a student takes the test as a sophomore, he or she must take it again as a junior for National Merit consideration. Others help with test preparedness: Khan Academy and College Board have developed a free SAT practice tool , and students can upload their PSAT results in order to get personalized study guides and recommendations.

With the SAT undergoing some major changes in , this customized test prep is even more important than usual. How has the test changed this year? Math portions will focus on fewer topics, but ones that were deemed the most important, such as ratios, portions, and linear algebra equations. You can think of the PSAT as a very initial type of formative assessment , which is an essential step in any test prep.

For this reason, some high schools now use the PSAT to help guide class placement. If you perform well on the PSAT, you might be able to register for more AP classes or other challenging coursework that will further distinguish you when you apply to colleges.

Whether your school uses PSAT score for class placement or not, you can still use your performance as a predictor of AP class success. If you struggled with the PSAT, you might still consider AP classes, but know that you will need to bulk up on some knowledge or test-taking skills before AP exams in the spring.

Taking the PSAT in 10th grade is a good idea and can pay off in the long run in a variety of ways. Preparing for the SAT? College Readiness. All Rights Reserved. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University. Recently viewed. Find Your Dream School. By submitting my email address. I certify that I am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from The Princeton Review, and agree to Terms of Use. It is also scored on a scale all its own: — The main differences are in their duration and scoring the PSAT is scored on a scale of —, whereas the SAT is scored on a scale of — The biggest difference between the two tests, however, has nothing to do with format and everything to do with function: The PSAT is not used in college admissions.

In a word—yes. Here are four reasons why you should take the PSAT. To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, you must also satisfy high academic standards and other requirements. If you do opt in, be prepared to be inundated with mail, email, and invitations to apply.

While this can be overwhelming, it also provides an opportunity to learn about various schools, programs, and scholarships that you might not have considered. Check with your school counselor about when your class is scheduled to take the these tests, and how and when to sign up for them. For the school year, high schools may schedule to administer the PSAT on the following dates:. There is no set date on which the PreACT must be administered and therefore may be given at any time during the school year.

If your school does not offer the PSAT or PreACT, or you are unable to take the test on the date it is being administered by your school, you might be able to take it at another local high school. Contact your high school counselor for more information.