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The EDUFAX Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Site

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Test Prep
PSAT
The Numbers Game
SAT
ACT

List of Questions:

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Test Prep

PSAT

Where can I get software and books to prepare for the PSAT ?

Are my PSAT scores compared nationally or only within my state ?

What are the average PSAT scores of the National Merit Finalists ?

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 ?

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.

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 ?

I was wondering if taking the PSAT was very necessary ?

Can I take the PSAT more than once without being penalized ?

What exactly is the PSAT ?

I have been informed that my PSAT score qualifies me for the National Merit Scholarship selection process. What does this really mean ?

Where can I find the PSAT/NMSQT cutoff scores for the Merit Semifinalists by state ?

Please interpret my PSAT scores: Verbal=51, Percentile=55; Math=43, Percentile=29; Writing Skills=41, Percentile=17; Selection Index=135 ?

Where can I get old PSAT questions ?

My PSAT/NMSQT index is 216. Where does that put me in terms of being a National Semifinalist ?

What kinds of questions are on the PSAT ?

Do colleges see my PSAT ?

I think I am eligible for the National Merit Scholarship. I missed the PSAT. Can I be eligible by submitting my SAT score ?

I just took the PSAT and was wondering what the minimum average selection index was for qualifying for a Letter of Recommendation ?

My PSAT score is 221, the sum of Math, English, & Writing scores. Does this score count for the National Merit Scholarship ?

Can I take the SAT before junior year, or should I take the PSAT first ?

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.

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 ?

What is the Home School code for the PSAT ?

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 ?

The Numbers Game

How important are my numbers, e.g.: Transcript, Class Rank, SAT I & II or ACT ?

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 ?

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 ?

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 ?

I plan to take five SAT IIs instead of the required three. Do you think this will affect my admission chances significantly ?

My PSAT scores are Verbal=56, Math=65. What would the SAT I equivalent scores be ?

I am a sophomore and my PSAT score is 1100. Can you project what my score will be on the SAT ?

Are there equivalencies available for the English ACT and Verbal SAT scores ?

I am looking for a conversion table for the PSAT scores to the SAT scores

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 ?

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.

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 ?

SAT

I am curious to know what IQ score corresponds to a perfect SAT Verbal score of 800 ?

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 ?

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 ?

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 ?

If I can retake the SAT II or the SAT I, which is more important ?

What is the full score for a foreign language SAT II (Chinese, French, Spanish, etc.) ?

If I take some SAT IIs in freshman year, when should I send my SAT II scores to the colleges ?

Can I bring my passport as an ID to the SAT ?

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 ?

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 ?

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 ?

How do I send my SAT scores to colleges ?

How do I get a SAT registration form by mail ?

I'm a freshman and wonder when is the best time to start studying for the SAT and how should I prepare for it ?

I am a senior and am desperate to raise my SAT I score. What do you suggest I do ?

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.

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 ?

Is it true that you can get a perfect score on the SAT even if you do not answer every question correctly ?

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+.

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 ?

Is a student penalized if he/she takes the SAT multiple times? Does it provide good practice ?

What are the average SAT scores in my town? in my county? in my state ?

I think I can improve my score on the Verbal section of the SAT. Must I take the whole test including the Math section ?

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 ?

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.

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 ?

What is the SAT II and how is it different from the SAT I ?

Can I take the SAT II several times, like the SAT ?

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 ?

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 ?

What is considered a "good" SAT score? a "great" score ?

Can you take the SAT after high school ?

Do 2-year colleges require the SAT ?

Should I prepare for the SAT II or take the AP course ?

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 ?

How do I apply for extended time for the SAT or ACT tests ?

Can I take the SAT before junior year, or should I take the PSAT first ?

I am unable to take the SAT on the scheduled dates. What can I do ?

ACT

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