<p>
Amazing! Hard work, identifying areas of concern, and the right way to address them in preparing for the SAT or ACT. If you’d looked at initial scores and viewed them as an overall indicator of a systemic problem what a disservice to your talented, accomplished DD. It would have been selling her short to take a destructive though process that initial low scores indicated a grave problem. Thanks for sharing her process to a successful outcome.</p>
<p>Funny how one sentence poorly written can get everyone up in arms! (Sounds like a critical reading problem!) </p>
<p>I think we have a K-12 education crisis in our country–that is the larger problem. Not all schools are created equal. We chose to go private because our state has continued to disinvest in education. Our public high schools have absymal graduation rates. The focus is on getting kids to graduation and kids who are academically focused are left to figure it out on their own.</p>
<p>There are many students who don’t test well because our high schools don’t prepare them to do basic math. They have such huge class sizes that they have given up on giving them writing assignments because they simply don’t have enough time to grade papers. They are sitting for 2-3 hours a day in huge study halls which are treated like a social hour. </p>
<p>And the reality is that there are many students who will not study or prepare for it and treat it as merely a practice test and then are surprised that they don’t get a high schore. If they want the high score and haven’t practiced, then it does become a symptom of a bigger problem. 89wahoo’s kid showed that once D13 studied, scores improved.</p>
<p>There are kids who are not good standardized test takers and there are kids who aren’t good test takers because they haven’t practiced or haven’t prepared. There are schools that offer standardized prep as part of the curriculum. Our school says, find your own way. And there are a myriad of reason why a kid will just have a “bad day” and not shine on the PSAT the way they hoped to.</p>
<p>My comment was not an indictment of the student or parents. I hardly believe the a PSAT scoreis the end all, be all. But with NMF on the line, for many families, it’s not just a practice test–it will count. </p>
<p>I think it’s great that there are many more test-optional schools available to students</p>
<p>DilDil: The Class of 2014 cut-off won’t be known for several months, but you can rest assured a 216 will make it in AZ. Best bet is that it comes in at 211-213.</p>
<p>Thank you glido also I cannot agree more with gotomom. Last year when my daughter took PSAT as a sophomore, she got a score of 186. After taking SAT prep course and taking every single test she got her hands on, she was able to raise her score to a 216. It is a 30 point jump.</p>
<p>@ ecouter<br>
Regarding the hard work of high school, college and beyond, if you are doing what you love and are surrounded by people you enjoy, working hard is its own reward. My Spanish grandfather used to say, “Don’t live to work, work to live!” And what a blessing if your work enriches your life (and vice versa!). Sounds like you have vision and passion … you’ll do well.</p>
<p>So many of you are getting to see your student’s PSAT scores; I wish we didn’t have to wait another two weeks! For many, a great PSAT score marks the possibility for Merit money. For others, the PSAT is a great tool for understanding where additional preparation may be warranted so the SAT scores rock. I’d still venture that for some it will be an indicator that the SAT is not the right test for their student … the ACT is a very different animal and may be just the test for your student. At least that’s what my DD is hoping. DD didn’t fare as well as she would have liked on the Oct. SAT and is taking the ACT tomorrow. All good thoughts are welcomed!!!</p>
<p>Got PSAT scores in mail from DS school today…vast improvement from sophomore scores…will easily be a Commended Scholar, but likely a few points of semifinalist cutoffs for our state…still really proud…perfect math score…but left 5 unanswered writing questions which made the difference…said he ran out of time…good luck to all others waiting!</p>
<p>DS called me from school today to tell me that the Junior class received their PSAT scores today. We are are in Kansas - for those of you still waiting for scores.</p>
<p>He scored 230 (77 CR, 76 math, 77 writing).</p>
<p>This is a bit of pleasant surprise since he did not do as well in PSAT the past 2 years. (Soph: 196, freshman: 204 - yes, his score went down!) He finally realized that he needed to study for the test this year which is why his score jumped up.</p>
<p>Besides feeling happy for him, this is the first time I feel we can actually start to plan for college since we now know where he stands with regard to standardized test.</p>
<p>Congrats, 4beardolls–that is fantastic new!</p>
<p>Great news, 4beardolls & vandyeyes! Congratulations to your sons!</p>
<p>Congrats ! 4beardools and vandyeyes on great scores.</p>
<p>Congrats to all those with such great scores! And so nice to know early! Enjoy the weekend!</p>
<p>JasmineRose - Congrats on the great score! One good engineering school in the NE that gives $ for National Merit Finalist is WPI. At the moment, they give at least $20k off tuition. Also, Northeastern gives free tuition for NMF. There’s also Stevens Institute of Technology in NJ. Small school, but high on the list of good salaries in industry right after graduation - all schools my son (DS13) has passed up for a school that gives nothing for NMF 
(although if he doesn’t get in ED, WPI will be on the next list). Case Western, in Cleveland (not exactly northeast) gives good merit money, but I don’t think it is specifically linked to NMF. Hope these help! There’s always that really, really, good technical school in the northeast with the 3 initials! 
(but they don’t give merit aid for NMF)</p>
<p>I think I may take a drive to the school on Monday and pick up DS 14 scores!!</p>
<p>Congratulations to all on the outstanding scores! Exciting possibilities for your kids to consider.</p>
<p>Congratulations!!! What a great way to start the weekend!!!</p>
<p>89Wahoo: It is amazing to see the improvement. I told DD today about the 500 point increase, she was surprised to see that much difference. I think (hope) she will be a lot more motivated for the next test - April ACT. Thank you for posting the improvements, that is so encouraging and inspiring at the same time. I will post DD PSAT and Dec SAT results when we get them. </p>
<p>creekland, dildil: Thanks for your post.</p>
<p>Thank you very much Student4Ever. I have joined this site about a year ago, followed many threads, saw mayn outstanding results of students applying knowledge and skills resulting in great scores and GPA. This encouragance me to help my S prepare for PSAT/SAT, and with less than stellor test scores and GPA, became discouraged that son may not have the opportunity he deserves. Your insight is invaluable and appreciated and will enable me to allow son to focus on the art of the possible. Second SAt and 1st time ACT to be completed in Jan so there is hope!</p>
<p>Student4Ever Quote: I completely disagree with the statement go2mom made, “A poor PSAT score is just a symptom of a much larger problem.”</p>
<p>The PSAT is The “Preliminary” SAT test, a test that students should use as a guide to help them prepare for the SAT or decide that maybe the SAT is not the best test format for them. Also, it is only one measure of that student’s abilities (test taking). Some students just don’t test well, some students may have had a bad day. There are many other facets of a student’s abilities. Colleges have recognized this and that is one of the reasons why some have become test optional or allow other means for students to showcase their abilities.</p>
<p>I hope parents with their first child going to college do not become discouraged due to a “poor” PSAT score. It is one test - not the be all and end all of your child’s future education!</p>
<p>my3gr8boyz, Thank you for the suggestions. Good luck to your son with the ED.</p>
<p>My oldest was never NM anything caliber and he’s doing just fine in college as a junior right now (private LAC). High NM scores are a nice bonus and can help financially, but they aren’t the benchmark for success overall fortunately.</p>
<p>Youngest will end up similar to oldest I suspect. My middle son was my NM contender. They’re all doing fine in their niches. The niches, themselves, differ, but they are equally valid for “success” in having a life they are hoping for.</p>
<p>SAT and ACT scores and GPA are never an “end all.” Please do not get discouraged. PSAT is just there to show which area your child should work on to improve the scores and the scores can be drastically improved in a short time when it’s time to take the SATs just by having your son complete a few practice exams and go through a SAT book. There are always options for every situation, you just need to know which option is best for your child and his situation.</p>
<p>Congrats to all with successful PSAT scores! :)</p>
<p>@eggerskf - that’s what we’re here for - to help, support and encourage all!</p>