Feeling a tad overwhelmed by all the different stats out there. Could someone tell me what the average PSAT scores are typically, or what's considered a 'good' score for a high school junior?
Understanding the sea of statistics certainly can be overwhelming, but I'm glad to help clarify! Nationally, the average PSAT score for juniors tends to hover around the mid-900s out of the 1520 total points. Good scores are relative to your personal goals and the benchmarks set by the colleges you're interested in. However, scoring above the 75th percentile, which is usually around 1200 or higher, indicates a strong performance.
To give you a concrete example, if you're aiming for National Merit Scholarship recognition, you'd want to be in the top 1% of scorers in your state, which can be approximately 1400 or more, depending on your state's selection index. Remember that this is a competitive scholarship, and these scores vary from year to year. For a 'good' score tailored to you, consider your target schools and look up the average SAT scores of admitted students, then use those as a benchmark since the PSAT is a practice version of the SAT. Aim for a PSAT score that aligns with or exceeds those averages. And remember, scores are just one aspect of your application. Continue to focus on your overall academic performance and extracurricular involvement as well. Best of luck!
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