<p>I got a 181 last October as a sophomore and was kind of disappointed because I was hoping to get over 200. A lot of people have told me it will rise a little bit even if I don’t prep by my Junior year because of the stuff I learn in school. However, I am in Pre-calc this year and am afraid my math score of 68 (stupid curve- I only missed 3!?!?!) won’t rise since the SAT doesn’t test on Pre-calc/ Calculus. Anyways, I guess I would just like to know if it is possible to get National Merit next year, with lots of prep? I really hate prepping for the test because I kind of feel that the SAT is really meant just to test your natural abilities, but my family could really use any scholarships I can get. </p>
<p>You have nothign to lose by prepping. The test also isnn’t of one’s natural abilities. It reflects courses you’ve taken (the more rigorous one’s curriculum, the hihger one’s SAT/PSAT scores tend to be), and it reflects the amount that you read and how much you prepre for the test. People have been known to raise their scores from your level to NM level with practice. Even if you don’t make National Merit, practice might also help you get higher SAT scores, and many colleges give scholarships to high-SAT-scoring students.</p>
<p>I didn’t really eveb prep and I went up around 40 points, so you should be fine. I, too, moved up to precalc/trig Junior year. Chances are that you’ll do much better.</p>
<p>I got a 178 my sophomore year and my guidance counselor went on and on about how great it was. It upset me haha. I personally thought it was horrible… but then again I didn’t know what the PSAT was until I walked into the test room. Sadly, I transfered to an arts school the next year, and they only mentioned the sign up for the test once, AND I WAS ABSENT! gah. oh well. I suppose I’ll live my life not knowing what I could have made.</p>