3 answers
Nidhi
Student
Cary, North Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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How should I start preparing for the new Digital PSAT/SATs?
I am a rising high school sophomore, currently residing in North Carolina. I plan on taking the PSAT the fall of this school year. I would greatly appreciate any advice on study-tips/materials. Thank you.
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3 answers
Paul Creamer
Tech Project Management
4
Answers
Annapolis, Maryland
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hi Nidhi -
The earlier you start your PSAT/SAT journey the better. It affords you time to not feel stressed due to time constraints.
A few things you can do immediately to help determine your path...
1) Speak to your High School Counselor. Since you stated that you are taking the PSAT this Fall, you may find that there are local resources that may be available to you (SAT Prep via the library, high school, etc).
2) Sign up for KHAN ACADEMY! It's FREE! https://www.khanacademy.org --> They are the "official" partner of the College Board (folks who develop the PSAT/SAT). As per Khan Academy's website, "For the first time ever, the creators of the SAT have given Khan Academy exclusive access and advice to build a personalized practice program for anyone..." (We'll come back to Khan Academy in a minute)
3) Sign up for a "College Board" account --> https://www.collegeboard.org/ --> There's a LOT of information out there including what's on the exam, how many questions, how long is it, what's it cost, how it's scored (perfect score is 800 + 800 = 1600 btw) etc...
4) Once you have the above accounts, then you'll want to sign up for the SAT Prep (FREE, FREE, FREE) course in Khan Academy. You can then proceed at your own pace of learning the material...but, self-study is tough and can be daunting...
5) So, sign-up for https://www.schoolhouse.world --> It's (you guessed it...) FREE, FREE, FREE! It's an offshoot from the founder of Khan Academy (Sal Khan) and is a FREE Tutoring service on many different subjects. It has numerous options for SAT Prep, SAT Bootcamps (for when you are getting closer to an exam), etc. Most of the sessions are led by other high schoolers (there's some very caring/giving/smart folks out there). There's even SAT BOOTCAMP sessions geared for various level learning (e.g, <500 scores on Math, 500 - 600, 600+, etc.) that will meet virtually that you can join. The PSAT10 and PSAT/NMSQT (look on CollegeBoard for the difference) both have the same underlying content as the "real SAT," so you can join regular SAT test prep without an issue. (PSAT 8/9 does not include some of the advanced content in the other exams).
6) As part of the items above, you can take a "practice SAT." (Eventually, you may take several during your journey...there are around 12 officially released practice exams between DSAT and Paper based SAT) You can see your score and figure out your strengths/weaknesses. If you are happy with your score (awesome) then I'd say you've objectively determined "you are ready." If not, then put in some more effort via the resources above. In fact, as part of their partnership, Khan academy will access to those results and will adjust your learning recommendations and levels accordingly (per their FAQ's). The SAT is a marathon, not a sprint. Just 10 minutes a day for 2 months (basically one less YouTube video a day) adds up to 8-10 hours of "studying" (which is almost a full school day or two, but in bite-size chunks).
A couple overall items to note:
a) Studying for the PSAT/SAT Exam can help you in your overall High School classes! If nothing else, it should give you confidence that you are able to tackle some pretty hard questions. There will be some areas you probably find challenging and will need to spend time to learn/re-learn the material. For instance, if you haven't taken Geometry/Algebra 2, then there will be several questions you haven't learned, yet. Give yourself a break and don't stress over them. Try to learn what you can but realize that you will get better with practice and having taken the classes.
b) KHAN ACADEMY and SCHOOLHOUSE.WORLD are FREE! Most of your high school classes (Algebra/Biology/Chemistry/History/English/Pre-calc/Calc/AP classes, etc.) all have courses on Khan Academy! There's even sections on College Admissions/Advice, Personal Finance and Careers! Most of these also have tutoring sessions available on Schoolhouse.world as well! So, while you asked about SAT Prep (which is on both), one thing you want to do is to have more fun in High School and get good grades. Putting in some "extra effort" by using these sites will help you with the grades and hopefully reduce your concerns/stress so you'll have time for more fun.
Hope this helps!
The earlier you start your PSAT/SAT journey the better. It affords you time to not feel stressed due to time constraints.
A few things you can do immediately to help determine your path...
1) Speak to your High School Counselor. Since you stated that you are taking the PSAT this Fall, you may find that there are local resources that may be available to you (SAT Prep via the library, high school, etc).
2) Sign up for KHAN ACADEMY! It's FREE! https://www.khanacademy.org --> They are the "official" partner of the College Board (folks who develop the PSAT/SAT). As per Khan Academy's website, "For the first time ever, the creators of the SAT have given Khan Academy exclusive access and advice to build a personalized practice program for anyone..." (We'll come back to Khan Academy in a minute)
3) Sign up for a "College Board" account --> https://www.collegeboard.org/ --> There's a LOT of information out there including what's on the exam, how many questions, how long is it, what's it cost, how it's scored (perfect score is 800 + 800 = 1600 btw) etc...
4) Once you have the above accounts, then you'll want to sign up for the SAT Prep (FREE, FREE, FREE) course in Khan Academy. You can then proceed at your own pace of learning the material...but, self-study is tough and can be daunting...
5) So, sign-up for https://www.schoolhouse.world --> It's (you guessed it...) FREE, FREE, FREE! It's an offshoot from the founder of Khan Academy (Sal Khan) and is a FREE Tutoring service on many different subjects. It has numerous options for SAT Prep, SAT Bootcamps (for when you are getting closer to an exam), etc. Most of the sessions are led by other high schoolers (there's some very caring/giving/smart folks out there). There's even SAT BOOTCAMP sessions geared for various level learning (e.g, <500 scores on Math, 500 - 600, 600+, etc.) that will meet virtually that you can join. The PSAT10 and PSAT/NMSQT (look on CollegeBoard for the difference) both have the same underlying content as the "real SAT," so you can join regular SAT test prep without an issue. (PSAT 8/9 does not include some of the advanced content in the other exams).
6) As part of the items above, you can take a "practice SAT." (Eventually, you may take several during your journey...there are around 12 officially released practice exams between DSAT and Paper based SAT) You can see your score and figure out your strengths/weaknesses. If you are happy with your score (awesome) then I'd say you've objectively determined "you are ready." If not, then put in some more effort via the resources above. In fact, as part of their partnership, Khan academy will access to those results and will adjust your learning recommendations and levels accordingly (per their FAQ's). The SAT is a marathon, not a sprint. Just 10 minutes a day for 2 months (basically one less YouTube video a day) adds up to 8-10 hours of "studying" (which is almost a full school day or two, but in bite-size chunks).
A couple overall items to note:
a) Studying for the PSAT/SAT Exam can help you in your overall High School classes! If nothing else, it should give you confidence that you are able to tackle some pretty hard questions. There will be some areas you probably find challenging and will need to spend time to learn/re-learn the material. For instance, if you haven't taken Geometry/Algebra 2, then there will be several questions you haven't learned, yet. Give yourself a break and don't stress over them. Try to learn what you can but realize that you will get better with practice and having taken the classes.
b) KHAN ACADEMY and SCHOOLHOUSE.WORLD are FREE! Most of your high school classes (Algebra/Biology/Chemistry/History/English/Pre-calc/Calc/AP classes, etc.) all have courses on Khan Academy! There's even sections on College Admissions/Advice, Personal Finance and Careers! Most of these also have tutoring sessions available on Schoolhouse.world as well! So, while you asked about SAT Prep (which is on both), one thing you want to do is to have more fun in High School and get good grades. Putting in some "extra effort" by using these sites will help you with the grades and hopefully reduce your concerns/stress so you'll have time for more fun.
Hope this helps!
Atul Bhankharia
Sales
477
Answers
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Updated
Atul’s Answer
Here are some friendly suggestions for you:
1) Picking up a practice book for the SAT could be a great idea. These books, which can contain up to 10 SATs for you to try, can be found at your local library or purchased on Amazon.
2) You might also want to consider getting some professional help. In New Jersey, for example, there are organizations like C2 Education and Kumon that specialize in preparing kids for the SAT. Do some research to find a reputable one, maybe chat with students who are currently enrolled. It's also a good idea to find out how many of their students end up doing well on the SAT. Remember, mastering the SAT is all about practice, practice, practice!
Beyond the SAT, keep your GPA high and try to take as many AP courses as possible, aiming to score well in them. This will certainly give you an edge.
1) Picking up a practice book for the SAT could be a great idea. These books, which can contain up to 10 SATs for you to try, can be found at your local library or purchased on Amazon.
2) You might also want to consider getting some professional help. In New Jersey, for example, there are organizations like C2 Education and Kumon that specialize in preparing kids for the SAT. Do some research to find a reputable one, maybe chat with students who are currently enrolled. It's also a good idea to find out how many of their students end up doing well on the SAT. Remember, mastering the SAT is all about practice, practice, practice!
Beyond the SAT, keep your GPA high and try to take as many AP courses as possible, aiming to score well in them. This will certainly give you an edge.
Thank you, the SAT practice books are definitely very helpful, which is what I have been using so far. I will look into what you said about professional help also.
Nidhi
Anahi diaz
84
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Anahi’s Answer
To start preparing for the new Digital PSAT/SATs, here are some steps you can take:
Familiarize yourself with the test format: Understand the structure and content of the Digital PSAT/SATs. Review the official resources provided by the College Board, including sample questions and practice tests available on their website. Review content: The Digital PSAT/SATs cover reading, writing and language, math (with and without a calculator), and an optional essay section. Review the content areas, refresh your knowledge, and identify any weak areas where you need more practice.
Utilize online resources: Take advantage of the many online resources available for PSAT/SAT preparation. Use interactive websites, online courses, and mobile apps that offer practice questions, explanations, and strategies.
Practice with official materials: Work through official practice tests and questions provided by the College Board. This will help you become familiar with the question formats, timing, and the overall test experience.
Analyze your performance: After completing practice tests or sections, carefully review your answers and identify any patterns of mistakes or areas that require improvement. Use this feedback to adjust your study plan and focus on those specific areas.
Time yourself: As the Digital PSAT/SATs are timed, practice answering questions within the allocated time limits. This will help you manage your time effectively during the actual test.
Strengthen test-taking strategies: Learn and practice effective strategies for each section, such as eliminating answer choices, using context clues in reading comprehension, and applying mathematical shortcuts. These strategies can help you approach questions more efficiently and increase your overall score.
Seek additional help if needed: If you find certain topics or concepts particularly challenging, consider seeking additional resources or assistance, such as tutoring, study groups, or online forums where you can ask questions and receive guidance.
Familiarize yourself with the test format: Understand the structure and content of the Digital PSAT/SATs. Review the official resources provided by the College Board, including sample questions and practice tests available on their website. Review content: The Digital PSAT/SATs cover reading, writing and language, math (with and without a calculator), and an optional essay section. Review the content areas, refresh your knowledge, and identify any weak areas where you need more practice.
Utilize online resources: Take advantage of the many online resources available for PSAT/SAT preparation. Use interactive websites, online courses, and mobile apps that offer practice questions, explanations, and strategies.
Practice with official materials: Work through official practice tests and questions provided by the College Board. This will help you become familiar with the question formats, timing, and the overall test experience.
Analyze your performance: After completing practice tests or sections, carefully review your answers and identify any patterns of mistakes or areas that require improvement. Use this feedback to adjust your study plan and focus on those specific areas.
Time yourself: As the Digital PSAT/SATs are timed, practice answering questions within the allocated time limits. This will help you manage your time effectively during the actual test.
Strengthen test-taking strategies: Learn and practice effective strategies for each section, such as eliminating answer choices, using context clues in reading comprehension, and applying mathematical shortcuts. These strategies can help you approach questions more efficiently and increase your overall score.
Seek additional help if needed: If you find certain topics or concepts particularly challenging, consider seeking additional resources or assistance, such as tutoring, study groups, or online forums where you can ask questions and receive guidance.