The SAT and PSAT

Zane · Otaku Knight Gender: Joined: 21 Apr 2003

Actually UP, if you score high enough on it you become what's known as a National Merit Scholar and could get a lot of scholarship money for the school of your choice (if the school accepts it).

Satine · Evil Onigiri Age: 37 Gender: Joined: 29 Sep 2004

Yeah. I forget what I got on the PSAT, but I'm a National Merit Semi-Finalist or something like that. I did really well.
Got a 1460 on the SAT with 800 on the Verbal!!!! I fell out of my chair when I found out. Heh.
The PSAT and SAT are all about logic and reasoning, along with basic skills. However, the new SAT (coming this spring) is different. It's got an essay (which evidently is easy, from what I've heard from my junior friends), more critical reading, no analogies, and Algebra 2 in the math bit.
The ACT, however, is about what you've learned. I found it harder than the SAT, but I still did well (32!). The science section was a killer, part of it was about electron orbitals. I took chemistry as a sophomore, and definitely slept through the hybrid orbital lecture. Whoops.

Sperrit · Chosen of Earth Gender: Joined: 16 Oct 2002

Crazy... I guess the times really are a-changing. Never took the ACT, myself, but I got into every school I applied for at the time. I guess what it all comes down to is that a good GPA is key.
And, yeah, hybrid orbital electrons... @.@

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Zane · Otaku Knight Gender: Joined: 21 Apr 2003

Yeah they are changing the SAT to include an essay and the fact that it's changing in January 2005 is causing some controversy because no one seems to know which colleges will accept which version. Some are saying that the classes of 2007, my class, and up are gonna have to take the new version, while others say the class of 2005, the current seniors, will have to take it. To me it doesn't really matter since my english teacher is hell bent on getting us ready for college so I'll be taking the original SAT no matter what.

Sperrit · Chosen of Earth Gender: Joined: 16 Oct 2002

I can only imagine that scholastic turmoil from such a drastic change to the SAT's format. It's been almost the same thing for, like EVER! I bet all the college profs are having coniptions.

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Zane · Otaku Knight Gender: Joined: 21 Apr 2003

I don't know about college professors, but my English teacher is going insane with frustration because she had nailed down the strategy to helping her students score well on their tests but now they've changed it and she has no clue as to how the test works now.

Shammy · New Age King Age: 37 Gender: Joined: 29 Sep 2004

So you mean they will have to try to achieve the best score using only raw knowledge? Only thier Scholastic Aptitude to aid them? =/ Thats what the SAT is.. If they want to change it, good. I personally will enjoy the challenge and the open ended ability to write something. I feel that when a teacher learns too well how to aid a student with the SAT, they learn tricks around it, which defeats the point of the test. Kudos to the SAT Board.

Silver Adept · Otaku Lord Age: 42 Gender: Joined: 20 May 2003

Meh-heh-heh... poor kiddies, learning the style of the test and all the ways to cheat it, and now having to rely on actually knowing the material...

...sounds like some teachers are worried that their heads may be on the line if the kids don't do well...

Akanari · Owns your reality Gender: Joined: 29 Sep 2004

They are worried ^^ Poor teachers. Heh. Well I took the SAT in 7th grade and got a 1170! ((And I forgot I was gonna take it on the day of the test)) So hah. lol... Sorry. My head has to be one of the biggest in the room. *Blush* Best trick I use for standardized tests is stay relaxed, get sleep, food, comfy clothes, and maybe a blanket and pillow if they allow it. ((And check it for answer sheets)) lol.