Are PSAT Practice Exams Worth It?

Hi all, I'm a junior thinking about strategies for my PSAT prep. I've come across practice PSAT exams and wondering what you all think. Are practice exams useful? And if so, do you guys have any resources to recommend?

Definitely, practice exams are an invaluable tool for preparing for standardized tests, including the PSAT. The saying "practice makes perfect" holds a lot of truth in this situation. The benefits of practice exams are numerous:

Identify Knowledge Gaps: Practice exams can help you identify where your strengths and weaknesses lie. By reviewing the questions you answered incorrectly, you can recognize where your knowledge gaps are and focus your studying in these areas.

Familiarize Yourself With the Exam: Practice tests will provide you with a solid understanding of the test format, the types of questions you'll be asked, and the pacing of the test. This can minimize any surprises on test day and make the actual test experience less overwhelming.

Improve Time Management: Each section of the PSAT is timed, and taking practice exams can help you get a feel for the pacing of the exam. You'll learn how long you can spend on each question while still having time to finish the section.

Build Your Confidence: The more practice tests you take, the more comfortable you will become with the PSAT. This familiarity can help you feel more confident on test day and perform at your best.

As for resources, the College Board offers free, full-length practice tests for the PSAT online. They design the actual PSAT, so their practice materials are highly reliable.

Another resource worth mentioning is the Bluebook™ app. It allows you to preview the digital PSAT/NMSQT and take a full-length practice test. This could give you a feel of how the digital format functions.

Good luck with your prep! Hope this helps.