The EDUFAX Educational FAQ

Question #122:

I am a sophomore. On my PSATs, I received a 76 in verbal, 71 in Math, and 67 in Writing. If I am not mistaken, this translates to a 1470 SAT score. I find this slightly disappointing. My test report states that this puts me in the 99th percentile. This seems odd to me. Do 99% of all juniors score lower than 1470 on the PSAT?

Answer #122:

Yes, in the year that you took the test, 99% of test takers scored lower than you. That is what a 99th percentile means. But don't confuse your PSAT score - which is, by the way - EXCELLENT! - with your final SAT score. Most students do see improvement from the PSAT to the first SAT simply by virtue of more coursework and some intellectual maturity. Instead of leaving it up to chance, however, you can better the odds by preparing for the test. Although the Educational Testing Service (ETS) used to advise that there was no way to prepare for the SAT, when they changed the name from Scholastic Aptitude Test to Scholastic Assessment Test, they acknowledged that there definitely was a lot to be gained from careful preparation. (There is a link to test prep materials elsewhere in this e-newsletter). Although you would need a crystal ball to predict whether or not your scores would improve if left merely to chance, all you need to guarantee a few more positive deviations from the mean is a good prep book, a pencil (or a computer program), and a few dedicated hours of your time. EDUFAX provides Verbal Test Prep Tutorials (PSAT/SAT I/SAT II/ACT).

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