My S took the Oct 10 PSAT. So why does the CB website say he took the test Oct 9, 2018? #-o Glitchy all over the place.
We donât have personal experience with ACT, only anecdotally, DSâ two friends (high GPA, full-IB kids) did poorly on ACT (both burned badly by science section especially).
Mine says she took it Oct 12, 2018. LOL
@Darcy123 @3scoutsmom
Ok thank you. I remember DS commenting how easy the math section was, it almost felt like a more difficult test might be better than a harsher âcurveâ.
^^^ Totally agree, with a harsh curse there is zero room for a careless error.
My observation for the ACT is pure reading speed is the primary driver on whether you love or hate the test. We originally looked into it as my son is much stronger in science and math and a few sources recommended the ACT for that type of student - he hated it as he simply ran out of time - badly on the science section. My daughter decided to give it a try as well and scored very well- she is an extremely fast reader and didnât experience any time pressure.
ACT science section is not about science at all. It is about data analysis. Charts and graphs hold answers to most of the questions. A very good section to practice in advance.
For those looking toward NM I made a new thread for the class of 2020 here http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/
@ChangeTheGame Someone please tell me if my math is correct (and I donât have a stake in this because my D has no chance of NMS)
Assumptions - you took the PSAT on 10/24
You got 1 wrong on math = 35.5 Raw, converts to 71, converts to 710
You got 1 wrong in reading = 36 Raw
Perfect score on English = 38 Raw
Total ERW = 74, converts to 740
Total Score = 1450, SI = 219
1 wrong in math and 1 wrong in reading and you donât make the cutoff in most states.
@suzyQ7 what state are you in? I think 219 might make it in about half the states also they adjust the state cut off each year so if you are close to your stateâs historic cut off you might not be out of the running.
@suzyQ7 I took a peak at the HS class of 2019 cutoff numbers and a 219 SI would make National Merit in 30 states this year. But population wise, you are right that more students need higher than a 219 to get NMSF status. I am in the minority with my own thoughts on the subject of test equalization. I talked to my son about the controversies over the âcurvesâ of recents SATs before he took the PSAT and I told him it doesnât really matter whether he gets an âeasyâ or âhardâ version of the PSAT. If you want NMSF status you have to be in the top 1% of all GA students. And the only way to guarantee that was to miss 0 questions. That isnât probable, but it is the truth. No excuses, no regrets. Do your best and we will live with what happens. He doesnât expect the world to be fair, because it isnât always fair, but you can still make things happen anyway. We will find out next Tuesday and the world will keep on spinning whether he gets the score (220 SI for most recent class) or not.
^I guess I was unclear about my point. The money and accolades that come with NMS should not ride on getting 1 or 2 wrong on a test with ~140 questions. These tests are too easy to measure actual performance, thus the whole thing is basically up to chance - which is a shame, and probably not what was originally intended.
@suzyQ7 I agree that there are issues with the testing. Colleges probably should not be giving full rides and other amazing goodies based on a 2 hour 45 minute test early during junior year, but here we are. And if it takes missing 1 or 2 out of 140 questions to make top 1%, then that what it takes in my familyâs world even if another date could miss 10 questions to get the same score.
And, any kid who even sniffing at the NMSF range could have opportunities similar to, or even better, than many opportunities afforded by being an NMF, simply based on GPA and SAT/ACT scores, etc.
S20 took his on the 24th alternate date. (No choice; HS emergency that made national news the week it was scheduled) Good to know there was a harsh curve! his score went down 10 points from 2017. he was sort of bummed about that. Good luck to all!
D17 missed one question on writing and that is why she got 1500, not 1520. The curve on PSAT is bad. I do believe it is usually extra harsh and unfair for kids with high Math low reading/writing. For example the selection index for 1370 can be as high as 213 (760/610 readingwriting/math) or as low as 198 (610/760). Still I was super surprised about 710 for missing one question for Oct 24th test. I read somewhere that only 10% students took test on Oct 24th.
DS got 720 on math and missed 4. He is in calculus and always complaining if all he needs is Algerbra and geometry for SAT, why does he need to learn derivatives? You donât want to hear his complaints about CB the rare occasion that he worked on practice tests! Lol. Btw, I think I might have figured out why his writing was 2 points higher a year ago. He was in LA honor class then. Maybe that class taught the kids grammar more than the AP English class he has now?!
DS received an email from USF today with verbiage like âNow that the PSAT test is behind youâŠCheck out our website to learn more about the National Merit Scholarship Program atâŠâ. HmmâŠdo they know more than we do? Too bad Naviance is still emptyâŠ
@whataboutcollege Thatâs just not cool.
D18 got a huge, beautiful mailing from the National Merit Program at OU (our state flagship) before NM cutoffs were announced. Made me crazy. Did they know the state cutoff? Or were they just being gutsy, making assumptions?
@ShrimpBurrito All the school campaigns are pretty annoying. At least this one is a free email rather than wasting money on mailing polished brochures. It makes me wonder if they get a studentâs hope up and it turns out the student misses the cutoff (especially in a state like NJ), will they care?
D20âs PSAT scores posted to Naviance today. Movement on all 3 scores, net overall slight increase from 1330 to 1350. Weirdest bump was from 36 down to 32 on Reading. Math up a bit, Writing up to a 38. No idea what this suggests in terms of ACT vs. SAT. Sheâs doing a practice ACT this Saturday.