Could use a little help here! I got a 1150 on my PSAT and I'm not sure if that's competitive for college admissions. Do universities care about sophomore year PSAT scores? Any advice on improving would be great too.
First off, take a deep breath! A 1150 PSAT score is a solid starting point and remember that the PSAT is, above all, a practice test. It's designed to give you a benchmark and to help you prepare for the SAT. Most colleges won’t see your PSAT scores unless you become a National Merit semifinalist, which is based on junior year scores, not sophomore year.
To improve your score, I would suggest a consistent study schedule. You can use free resources like Khan Academy, which has an official partnership with the College Board and offers personalized SAT practice based on your PSAT results. Also, practice test-taking strategies, such as time management and understanding how to guess smartly on questions you find difficult.
Don't hesitate to reach out for help, too. Maybe your school offers a test prep course, or you might find a prep book at the library. Make sure you're also focused on your coursework, as a strong grounding in English and math will naturally help improve your test scores. Remember, the progression from sophomore to junior year can show significant score improvements, so keep a positive attitude!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.