PSAT, SAT, and GPA
Taking the PSAT in 10th grade is great practice for the SAT. Taking the PSAT as a Junior makes them eligible to compete for National Merit Award Scholarships, as follows:
The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®)–a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year–and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.
For more information on the National Merit Scholarships, see: http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php#entryreq
The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®)–a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year–and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.
For more information on the National Merit Scholarships, see: http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php#entryreq
For 11th graders, PSAT scores are a clue to future SAT scores (without SAT preparation classes). Take the total PSAT score and add a "0" at the end (example: total score is 132; adding the "0" makes it 1320, the predicted SAT score). If it's high already, preparation is not as critical. However, if the three PSAT scores are each below 40, you should be concerned! SAT scores affect college affordability - sign up for prep.
High SAT scores earned by students with low GPAs indicate they did not work to potential. A better outcome is a high GPA and an average SAT score. The ideal high GPA and high SAT score provides the greatest college affordability and options for your student. While AP classes give students an idea of college-level work, they reduce the total GPA if a C (or lower) is achieved. A C in an AP course is the equivalent of a B in a regular course, but as they say...a C is a C is a C. It will affect the overall GPA. Students should only take AP courses in subjects they can earn a B or better.
High SAT scores earned by students with low GPAs indicate they did not work to potential. A better outcome is a high GPA and an average SAT score. The ideal high GPA and high SAT score provides the greatest college affordability and options for your student. While AP classes give students an idea of college-level work, they reduce the total GPA if a C (or lower) is achieved. A C in an AP course is the equivalent of a B in a regular course, but as they say...a C is a C is a C. It will affect the overall GPA. Students should only take AP courses in subjects they can earn a B or better.
