When Do PSAT Scores Come Out

When Do PSAT Scores Come Out When do we hear about PSAT scores? The PSAT is only administered once per year generally in mid-October, but you should always confirm on the the College Board website. PSAT scores typically come out around the first week of December, but you should check these dates online as well, near Thanksgiving for official information. Remember that you will not hear from the National Merit Scholarship committee for up to an additional nine months. You may also want to take a look athow the PSAT will change in 2015. Grading structure of the PSAT Your PSAT scoresconsist of three sections: Critical Reading Mathematics Writing Each of these sections is worth 20-80 points, for a maximum scoreof 240. There are two key reasons to sit for the PSAT: to prepare for the SAT, and to potentially rank well enough for the National Merit Scholarship. Your official score report includes further instructions for the National Merit Scholarship application process, as well as your ranking. While the necessary result varies from year to year, the selection index score (the sum of all three sections) for the National Merit Scholarship is roughly 200. Keep in mind that only a very select number of high school juniors enrolled in full-time high school programs are eligible for the scholarship; if you are not eligible, this is typically notated with an asterisk. Here is some additionalinformation on what to know about the PSATthat you may find helpful. Percentiles and Averages PSAT Score (out of 1520) 10th grade students 11th grade students Top 5% 1250 1350 Top 10% 1170 1270 Top 20% 1080 1170 Top 30% 1020 1110 Top 40% 960 1050 Top 50% average 910 1000 *The above data comes from the College Board. The score report will also include an indication of your results versus the national average, which is useful not only for those individuals in less traditional programs, but also when considering college. Overall, these marks provide a diagnostic base for the SAT. If they are lower than you were hoping, your score report becomes a strong signal to begin the preparation process! What to do after receiving your PSAT scores If you are confident about your PSAT scores, thats wonderful! Investigate the National Merit Scholarship, as it is a fantastic opportunity. The scholarship committee will contact you in September of your senior year if you are eligible. If they do not, you are still in good company. A multitude of students have difficulties with the PSAT, so do not panic! The PSAT is preparatory practice for the SAT, so the testing service provides you with a specific results sheet, including a copy of your test. Put this to good use! Focus on your weaknesses and study for the SAT using this guideline. An easy technique to determine your relative SAT score is to add a zero to the end of each section score. For example, if you received a 60 on the mathematics portion, it is roughly equivalent to a 600 on the SAT. Here are some great practice tests for the SATthat can help you start preparing for the test. If you are unhappy with your PSAT results, remember this is not the end of the world. It is entirely possible to dramatically improve your scores on the SAT through careful preparation that utilizes the PSAT as a guide. Each question is provided in your report, along with the correct answer. Feel free to test yourself and determine where you erred. If you failed to finish in the allotted time or became nervous, that information is central to recognize before you reach the SAT. Consider the PSAT a chance to address testanxiety, time management, or other test-taking shortcuts. Remember, it is best to utilize the PSAT as a roadmap to your best possible SAT score. Address any large problems before you begin reviewing for the SAT! Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us atblog@varsitytutors.com.