On October 14, 10th and 11th grade students at Franklin High School took the Preliminary SAT, better known as the PSAT. The PSATs are a great way to prepare and get comfortable & confident with the format of the SATs, according to Mrs. Murphy, a guidance counselor at FHS.
The PSAT is a 2 hour and 45 minute test covering the topics of reading, writing, grammar, and mathematics. It is administered by the College Board, an organization that helps prepare students for college. Scores range between 320 and 1520.
Some students choose to prepare for the PSAT. There are many ways to study for the test. Mrs. Murphy suggests that taking practice tests and PSATs are beneficial since they can potentially improve your SAT performance. This is because practicing test-taking helps students get used to the format and types of questions. This also allows students to feel more confident and comfortable when it’s time to take the SAT.
The SAT test – which many colleges reference – is very similar to the PSAT. However, many colleges are test optional, meaning that students can choose whether or not to take/submit their SAT scores. If a student’s SAT score is above average, it is recommended that they submit it. This can give advantages when it comes to the application process.
Since the PSAT is not referenced by colleges and typically has no impact on a student’s applications, it is not mandatory to study because it is only good practice. However, the Chromebook application Bluebook offers full length practice PSAT tests.
Good luck to all the students who took the PSAT!