The EDUFAX Educational FAQ

1. I'm looking for a listing of test prep books and CD-ROMS available on the Internet.
2. What tools/aids for SAT/ACT preparation would you recommend ?
3. My daughter is in the 7th grade. Where can I get a sample PSAT? Can I get my daughter tested outside the school ?
4. I need to know the phone number for the SAT/ACT center.
5. Where can I get the PSAT/SAT/AP registration forms ?
6. Do you have any recommendations for any SAT prep books or computer programs ?
7. Without any additional preparation, how likely is my PSAT score to be the same on repeat testing and how likely is my SAT score to be in the predicted range ?
8. I would like to attend a Summer Scientific Seminar at the USAF Academy and must take the SAT or the ACT before their set dates. Is there any possible way I can do that ?
9. My daughter has numerous SAT prep materials. Are they also beneficial in preparing her for the PSATs ?
10. The vocabulary of the SAT Verbal is unfamiliar to me. What is the best way to prepare for the SAT ?
11. I am interested in studying abroad and wanted some information about the International Baccalaureate.
12. I am a freshman in high school. Should I start taking the ACT and SAT now ?

1. Where can I get software and books to prepare for the PSAT ?
2. Are my PSAT scores compared nationally or only within my state ?
3. What are the average PSAT scores of the National Merit Finalists ?
4. Since I took my PSAT, I have been getting brochures from a lot of colleges. They all ask for my PSAT-Score or my PSAT-Composite. What is the PSAT-Composite ?
5. 90% of students designated as National Merit Semi-Finalists advance to Finalist status. What eliminates the remaining 10%? If it is a low SAT score, then what constitutes a low SAT score ?
6. In FAQ:34 you state that the PSAT score can be converted to the SAT score by multiplying the PSAT score by 10. However, in FAQ:54 you also state that there is no conversion table for converting PSAT scores to SAT scores. Please clarify.
7. I took my PSAT as a sophomore. My results were: Verbal=56, Math=41. What is the most efficient way to raise my math scores, and will the gap in my scores affect my application ?
8. I was wondering if taking the PSAT was very necessary ?
9. Can I take the PSAT more than once without being penalized ?
10. What exactly is the PSAT ?
11. I have been informed that my PSAT score qualifies me for the National Merit Scholarship selection process. What does this really mean ?
12. Where can I find the PSAT/NMSQT cutoff scores for the Merit Semifinalists by state ?
13. Please interpret my PSAT scores: Verbal=51, Percentile=55; Math=43, Percentile=29; Writing Skills=41, Percentile=17; Selection Index=135 ?
14. Where can I get old PSAT questions ?
15. My PSAT/NMSQT index is 216. Where does that put me in terms of being a National Semifinalist ?
16. What kinds of questions are on the PSAT ?
17. Do colleges see my PSAT ?
18. I think I am eligible for the National Merit Scholarship. I missed the PSAT. Can I be eligible by submitting my SAT score ?
19. I just took the PSAT and was wondering what the minimum average selection index was for qualifying for a Letter of Recommendation ?
20. My PSAT score is 221, the sum of Math, English, & Writing scores. Does this score count for the National Merit Scholarship ?
21. Can I take the SAT before junior year, or should I take the PSAT first ?
22. My daughter took a computerized PSAT. I can't find a scale that tells we what grade she should be in. Her scores were: Verbal=20, Writing=26, Math=22.
23. I am in tenth grade, and will be taking the PSAT in October, as a 'practice run'. Will I be able to get my scores early enough to find out what my weaknesses are so that I can improve my scores on the 'real test' next year ?
24. What is the Home School code for the PSAT ?
25. I am a sophomore. I took the PSAT a few months ago. I have not received my scores yet, however I am already receiving letters from colleges. Do they have my scores? How did they find me ?
26. My daughter is in the 7th grade. Her computerized PSAT scores were Math=48, Verbal=50, & Writing=43. What is a good PSAT score for a student in the 7th grade ?
27. My daughter's scores on the PSAT taken in the fall of her junior year are: 96th percentile Verbal, 94th percentile Writing, 37th percentile Math. What does it mean in terms of scholarships, types of University she should apply to, etc.? We have become inundated with phone calls, catalogs and financial aid offers. Why the new frenzy ?
28. My daughter scored 217 on the PSAT Selective Index and 1410 on her SAT. How does this score stand up for National Merit? She was disappointed by her SAT score, but I thought it was great.
29. My son was notified that he was a semi-finalist in the National Merit Scholarship group. What does he do now to insure his acceptance ?
30. My Selection Index was 195 and I was in the 95th percentile. Do students in the 95th percentile get a Letter of Commendation? Are there any affirmative action or reverse discrimination tactics involved in the National Merit Program ?
31. My PSAT scores are: Verbal = 66, 94th percentile; Math = 55, 67th percentile; Writing Skills = 62, 89th percentile; Selection Index = 183, 89th percentile. If I multiply my PSAT score by 10, I will have an extremely low SAT score. Please explain.
32. My daughter is in the 7th grade. Where can I get a sample PSAT? Can I get my daughter tested outside the school ?
33. My son is a junior. His GPA is 3.885, while taking 3 AP classes. His PSAT scores rank him in the 95th percentile of test-takers. Students in his class were told by the school counselor that generally a 96th or higher percentile is required for the National Merit Scholarship. He is interested in applying to some heavy-weight schools in the Washington, DC area. He has many extracurricular and leadership activities. We are not of a minority origin. Do you think his PSAT score may carry more "weight" given his GPA and extensive activities ?
34. 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 ?

1. What is the SAT equivalent to a ACT score of 22 ?
2. Are there negative consequences to taking the AP exams without any preparations? Can I withhold the results from colleges ?
3. How important are my numbers, e.g.: Transcript, Class Rank, SAT I & II or ACT ?
4. I did well on the Verbal SAT (650) but not as well on the Math section (520). Do colleges consider each score separately or the combined score (1170). Is it unfavorable that the scores are so separated ?
5. I have a composite ACT score of 35. I have a composite SAT I score of 1460. Is it to my advantage to submit only my ACT scores on my college applications ?
6. I am a junior in high school. I greatly improved my SAT scores after taking them a second time. My scores are now in the upper 50% for all the colleges I am considering. Should I take the SATs again ?
7. I plan to take five SAT IIs instead of the required three. Do you think this will affect my admission chances significantly ?
8. My PSAT scores are Verbal=56, Math=65. What would the SAT I equivalent scores be ?
9. I am a sophomore and my PSAT score is 1100. Can you project what my score will be on the SAT ?
10. Are there equivalencies available for the English ACT and Verbal SAT scores ?
11. I am looking for a conversion table for the PSAT scores to the SAT scores.
12. I am entering my senior year. My ACT score was 21 (English=15, Math=28, Reading=19, Science Reasoning=20), my SAT scores were: Math=720, Verbal=350. Do I have time to retake these tests? Should I retake the ACT or the SAT ?
13. I live in California. I am a native speaker of a foreign language. If I get a perfect score in the SAT II in that language, will it be considered the same as if I were an non-native speaker ? I am considering whether I should take Chemistry SAT II instead.
14. I scored 73 on my PSAT Math & Verbal. I've always considered myself good at languages. So why is the task of raising my Verbal SAT score by 50 points or more so daunting ?
15. My son is a National Merit semi-finalist. His weighted GPA = 4.0, but he is only in the top 50% of his class. Will the class rank eliminate him from being a finalist ?
16. My PSAT = 150. I was informed I was in the 50th percentile in my state. However, if you multiply 150 by 10, my SAT score should be 1,500, which is really a good score. Am I confused ?
17. My PSAT Verbal = 68, Math = 70. I am a National Merit Semi-Finalist. I am 20th in my class of 300. My SAT = 1360. Are my SAT scores too low for me to advance to Finalist ?

1. How can I figure out what my ACT score is equivalent to on the SAT ?
2. Where can I find statistics on the differences in the SAT scores of children from different income families ?
3. What is the average SAT score and what is considered above average ?
4. I am in the US Marines and currently stationed in Japan. Where can I take the SAT and ACT ?
5. I know the SAT can be taken as many times as needed. Do I have to send all the results to the colleges I am interested in ?
6. I am curious to know what IQ score corresponds to a perfect SAT Verbal score of 800 ?
7. The SAT will send my SAT II scores directly to 4 colleges, before I get to see the scores. What if the scores are not my best? What if my SAT I scores are higher? What if I retake the SAT and my scores improve ?
8. I plan to retake the SAT I a third time. On the score report, I added a new college. Will that college also receive my previous SAT I scores ?
9. In FAQ:34 you state that the PSAT score can be converted to the SAT score by multiplying the PSAT score by 10. However, in FAQ:54 you also state that there is no conversion table for converting PSAT scores to SAT scores. Please clarify.
10. Why do some students score 800 on the Verbal section of the SAT? Is it because they read often? Is there a correlation between reading and verbal scores, and if there is, why ?
11. If I can retake the SAT II or the SAT I, which is more important ?
12. What is the full score for a foreign language SAT II (Chinese, French, Spanish, etc.) ?
13. If I take some SAT IIs in freshman year, when should I send my SAT II scores to the colleges ?
14. Can I bring my passport as an ID to the SAT ?
15. Could you please tell me why is the SAT so hard and why do we never learn at school anything even close to what is in the SAT ?
16. Do you feel that the SAT is a good way to judge what a student has learned in high school? Do you think it reflects a student's performance in college ?
17. I need to improve my verbal SAT scores. I read a lot. I have used test prep books. I have memorized hundreds of vocabulary words. However, I still have problems with analogies and critical reading. I qualify to take the test with extended time. Do you think that would affect my scores? Any suggestions ?
18. How do I send my SAT scores to colleges ?
19. How do I get a SAT registration form by mail ?
20. I'm a freshman and wonder when is the best time to start studying for the SAT and how should I prepare for it ?
21. I am a senior and am desperate to raise my SAT I score. What do you suggest I do ?
22. I have great difficulty in performing well on the SAT's (math=410, verbal=440) inspite of being an excellent student: I have a 3.7 GPA, I take AP, honor and advanced classes. I am concerned about getting into a good college.
23. I am going into 9th grade and was interested in taking the SATs. So far I have gotten a 450, but I'll be taking geometry this year. Do you think I should take it this year ?
24. Is it true that you can get a perfect score on the SAT even if you do not answer every question correctly ?
25. When unsure of an answer on the SAT, what is the best strategy to use? In the Math section, my son used a strategy of not answering vs. answering incorrectly. Of a total of 60 questions, 26 were answered correctly, 14 were incorrect and 20 were not answered at all. His score was 480 and he would like to raise it to 500+.
26. My son scored in the 88th percentile in the math PSAT. Would he benefit from taking the math SAT II? Who takes the SAT II and for what purpose ?
27. Is a student penalized if he/she takes the SAT multiple times? Does it provide good practice ?
28. What are the average SAT scores in my town? in my county? in my state ?
29. I think I can improve my score on the Verbal section of the SAT. Must I take the whole test including the Math section ?
30. I will be taking the SAT I in June of my junior year and plan to take the SAT II in my senior year. Will it be too late for me to take the SAT II then ?
31. I am a senior and have taken three SAT IIs: Writing, Math IIC, and American History (score=790). I plan on majoring in Computer Sciences. Would colleges like to see me take a more scientific SAT than American History? I was considering taking Physics.
32. What is the latest you can take the SAT I or SAT II in order for the score to be considered in early decision? What about score choice ?
33. What is the SAT II and how is it different from the SAT I ?
34. Can I take the SAT II several times, like the SAT ?
35. I am a senior and have not yet taken the SAT IIs. My college of choice requires 3 SAT IIs but will accept ACTs instead. What should I do ?
36. My son recently took the SAT I and did not do well (800 combined). In contrast, he did better on the PSAT (over 1,000) and is in honors courses. What should he do to improve his scores ?
37. What is considered a "good" SAT score? a "great" score ?
38. Can you take the SAT after high school ?
39. Do 2-year colleges require the SAT ?
40. Should I prepare for the SAT II or take the AP course ?
41. I am entering my senior year. Should I take the ACT, SAT I and SAT II in case the college I choose requires them, or should I just take the SAT I ?
42. How do I apply for extended time for the SAT or ACT tests ?
43. Can I take the SAT before junior year, or should I take the PSAT first ?
44. I am unable to take the SAT on the scheduled dates. What can I do ?
45. My daughter is a bright 7th grader. Last year she took the Center for Talented Youth (CTY) test at Johns Hopkins and scored above 97% and they informed us that she was eligible to take the SAT. Does she need to go through a talent search program in order to take the SAT at this age ?
46. I have heard that the SAT penalizes guessing. Is that true ?
47. I plan on applying to medical schools. What should my SAT scores be ?
48. I have taken the SAT twice. The first time I got 1390 (Math/Verbal = 710/680), the second time I got 1460 (Math/Verbal = 770/690). Should I take the SAT a third time ?

1. How can I figure out what my ACT score is equivalent to on the SAT ?
2. When taking the ACT multiple times, are you allowed to take your best subtests from each test to come up with a best composite score ?
3. Is it true that there is no penalty for skipping a question on the ACT, just like on the SAT ?
4. I didn't get a great score on my ACT. What do I need to do to get into the college of my choice ?
5. What are the options for students who score lower than 18 on the ACT? Can they still apply to colleges and if so, what kinds ?
6. I am in the US Marines and currently stationed in Japan. Where can I take the SAT and ACT ?
7. My composite ACT=27 (Reading=34). My SAT=1240 (Verbal=630, Math=610). Some of the schools I am applying to require one or the other. Should I submit the ACT score? The SAT score? Or both ?
8. My ACT score is low but my grades are high. Can I avoid reporting my ACT scores when applying to colleges ?
9. I first took the ACT when I was a sophomore, and my composite score was 30. This year, as a junior, my score was 31. Should I continue to take the ACT to improve my score, or should I stop now ?
10. I am planning on taking the ACT soon. Could you recommend any good computer programs ?
11. Facts about the ACT.
12. How do I get a copy of my ACT scores to the colleges ?
13. What is a good ACT score ?
14. How do I interpret the English & Math ACT scores ?
15. Will colleges consider my highest math and verbal ACT scores, if they were not from the same test ?
16. I have taken the ACT three times. Is there a limit to the number of times one can take the ACT? Which score do the schools consider ?
17. What is the ACT? How does it compare to the SAT ?
18. My ACT composite is 33. I am interested in finding more difficult test prep materials to help me raise my scores. What would you recommend ?
19. I am entering my senior year. Should I take the ACT, SAT I and SAT II in case the college I choose requires them, or should I just take the SAT I ?
20. How do I apply for extended time for the SAT or ACT tests ?