<p>I’m aiming high with 4 months or so to go before the next PSAT’s and my goal is 230-240 most definately. I want to mostly get into the 99% percentile. There are numerous reasons for this, which includes scholarships, and some programs I want to get into.</p>
<p>Anyways, what does it take? How should I get into studying the core concepts so that I learn them cold. After I know everything I can that will be on the PSAT’s, then I can concentrate more on test strategy and practice tests.</p>
<p>So for now, I want to focus on the fundamentals. Which is basically the vocabulary, grammar, algebra 1, geometry, statistics, and critical reading.</p>
<p>How do you suggest I go about learning these subjects so good that it would be hard for me not to recognize a problem or be able to do it? Is there good resources or books I should look for?</p>
<p>For example, for critical reading I assume a good idea would be to read magazines like the Economist, and just read books, etc. But what about the math? And Grammar? And vocabulary?</p>
<p>It’s sort of hard to say that you will just read book x and magazine y and automatically be able to score high on the test. My suggestion is just to let that all come naturally rather than attacking it head-on. You should simply get a review book (I liked PR’s) and work on mastering the test. Most people who do well on the test aren’t studying their geometry or algebra they have already done those classes and just focus on the test. Good Luck.</p>
<p>the people that i know who scored in the 220-240 range are naturally smart. . .if you aren’t there now you aren’t going to get there netime soon.</p>
<p>Good luck, though! I wished I had taken it a little bit more seriously and gotten the 5 or 6 points that woulda made me finalist (Florida), but everything comes in stride, eh? You’ll do fine I’m sure, as long as you make sure you’re well rested and get a good start to the day a 240 is definitely possible.</p>
<p>About re-learning algebra/geometry and grammar, as TangyTart mentioned, I think I might have to spend a little bit, atleast a week or two relearning, since its been a while since I have done much Algebra, and even when I was in the class a couple months ago, I wasn’t really dedicated and didn’t pay too much attention. So small things like exponent rules are a bit rusty. As for grammar, when was the last time we learned real grammar rules and such? For me that was middle school. :P</p>
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<p>Sorry buddy, I don’t believe in that. Nobody is “naturally smart,” and I firmly believe anyone can get where they want so long as they are dedicated, and use the right mind set and strategies (which is what I am looking for some advice on here, like good books, resources, tactics, etc). </p>
<p>About 218 being 99th percentile, thanks for letting me know. I think it changes yearly though, it would probably go up or down depending on how high the highest 1% score. So just to be on the safe side, maybe aiming for atleast a 230, no less then 225, should put you right there. Aiming high may naturally get you a higher score, then if you aimed lower.</p>
<p>I think its great that you’re aiming high and working towards it although I think there are also just naturally smart people and naturally good standardized test takers that can do very well without preparing. Its important to remember that knowing the material will only get you so far. Especially on the math section where the math is very very basic. What gets people is the inability to see the simple way of solving a problem and consequently getting a good score. Ithink what patwu89 meant was that there are people who are just able to easily visualize problems and conceptually figure out the easy way to apply to simple math rules.</p>
<p>@bidkid, yes, there are bright people who may be able to breeze through tests, but that doesn’t mean they were born with the ability. It seems that they worked hard at learning the subjects they know when they did. But I believe that anyone can do the same if they are put in the right direction. </p>
<p>As in “naturally” I took it as though he was saying there were people born with the ability… which I certainly believe is not true.</p>
<p>So he never learned Algebra 2 or read a book? I mean, maybe he learned on his own rather then in school (if he did, I don’t blame him)… but I highly doubt that he just KNOWS those topics without ever reading or learning them… don’t you think thats a bit impossible? I dont think babies are born with algebra 2 skills.</p>
<p>Some people subjects come naturally to, so they’re quicker at picking up on concepts. I don’t try that hard in any of my math classes and still do better than people who study alot. I took the SAT my sophomore year without any studying and ended up with a 790 math.</p>
<p>When I mean naturally smart I mean that they are able to apply the concepts that they have learned really well like on some hard SAT math problems. They “see” how to solve the problems. Hard work can only get you so far. . . .</p>
<p>Sure he sat in the class, but he slept through it. And I’m sure he didn’t do supplemental studies, hah.</p>
<p>I’m saying that two people can spend the same amount of time studying for the same subject and one will have learned it better than the other, even if they use the same study methods. There is a physiological basis for having a predisposition to doing well on ‘reasoning’ tests.</p>
<p>Sorry, but I just got done with half of my Psychology IB test today so its all nice and fresh.</p>
<p>But in addition to training - which I agree does contribute to mental quickness and thus higher scores - part of it is what one of my friends calls “highlight vision,” the innate aptitude to “see” the right answer without much thought/reflection. Much of the SAT/PSAT is time, after all - you run out of it.</p>
<p>Well, I got a 238 my sophomore year, and I don’t think it had as much to do with intelligence as with lots and lots of practice and a fondness for reading. “Highlight vision” might have something to do with it. (I did end up having a lot of extra time to check my answers.) But I think an optimistic attitude absolutely key to success on standardized testing. Instead of thinking, “Oh my gosh, I HATE the PSAT/SATs,” you should think of them as fun games you want to beat. </p>
You’ll do fine I’m sure, as long as you make sure you’re well rested and get a good start to the day a 240 is definitely possible.</p>
I think it changes yearly though, it would probably go up or down depending on how high the highest 1% score. So just to be on the safe side, maybe aiming for atleast a 230, no less then 225, should put you right there. Aiming high may naturally get you a higher score, then if you aimed lower.</p>