The journey to a successful score on the SAT and PSAT is what many students focus on during their last 2 years of high school. Some students want to finish their SAT and PSAT in their junior year, and have the opportunity to relax during their senior year. Different students have different goals regarding this major exam. Let’s dive deeper into what many students think about the upcoming SAT and PSAT test days and the methods they plan on using to conquer these exams.
Goal Score for the SAT/PSAT:
The SAT scores range from 400-1600, and the PSAT ranges from 320-1520, so many juniors and seniors hope to achieve top scores with dedication and effort. Similarly, this setting can be applied to many school and college exams. Putting in the dedication and effort to accomplish tasks will result in a better outcome for the rest of a person’s life.
“My goal score is a 1550, but ultimately anything in the 1500 range [is desired],” senior Lianne Khabbaz stated.
Many students have a dream score for this exam and they hope to achieve this with many of the commonly used tricks and methods. The goal scores can range widely, depending on their choice of college, which motivates and inspires the students to try their best.
“I don’t have a set goal for this test. I just hope to score higher than my score from last year,” junior Joy Kim declared.
Just like Kim, some students don’t have a set goal for the exam. But, they still care about what score they will get and they will try in their own way to accomplish earning a higher score. On the other hand, some students already have that idea or some type of plan to get a higher score than their previous attempt. This goes to show their goals and what they might focus on outside of the exam.
Steps to Achieve The Goal Score:
Many students are willing to spend a lot of time studying for the tests. Their commitment to achieving their goal score shows how much effort they put into studying. What’s amazing about this exam is that so many people can help each other with getting the score they want. Students can find many videos of the tips and tricks online, shared by their peers, to improve their performance.
It depends on the person, but let’s say they struggle in reading. They can watch videos on SAT and PSAT grammar tricks or tips for better comprehending of the reading sections. This is nice because it allows a student to focus on the areas they are struggling with.
“Some steps I am willing to take to achieve my goal score include joining tutoring sessions, taking practice tests, and studying areas I struggle in. I believe these steps will help me improve my overall skills for the SAT and PSAT,” junior Michelle Xiao stated.
Usually what many tutors and educators recommend is to take a bunch of practice tests when preparing for the exam. Doing this will help many students see where their weaknesses and strengths are. Studying the topics that students struggle with and taking practice tests over and over again can help them reach their ultimate goal.
“To reach my score, I will be using Bluebook practice, and Khan Academy to practice,” senior Carlos Patak declared.
As Patak remarked, Bluebook tests and Khan Academy are amazing sources to get practice on both reading and math sections of the exams. However, there are many other platforms that focus on test preparation that can help you reach your goal score.
Motivations even when it gets hard:
Studying for these exams is challenging, even in the early stages. When this happens, students tend to lose focus. So let’s see what some of the students’ motivations are when studying gets difficult.
“My future is what keeps me motivated. I want to go to a good college and I want to be a doctor and I want to excel at what I do. I take breaks and reward myself to make sure I stay motivated,” senior Lianne Khabbaz stated.
Students have a higher chance to go to a good college or university when they get high scores on their exams. This can motivate them to try hard even when it’s challenging. What many people say is important about preparing for the SAT and PSAT is maintaining a calm mindset even right before taking it. This is pivotal since the brain needs to be in a relaxed state before taking the exam. Taking breaks and resting is also essential as this can help calm the student’s mind. When a student takes an exam, they need to be focused on the questions and information presented to them. So, keeping that relaxed mindset can enhance the academic performance of a student while taking the tests.
“When studying gets difficult, what motivates me are my potential opportunities for scholarships and my friends and family. My friends and family play a big role in encouraging me to study when it gets hard,” junior Michelle Xiao declared. “In addition, I am aware of the fact that getting a high SAT score increases your opportunities of achieving some scholarships as well as increasing your opportunities of getting accepted into a college. These factors really motivate me and push me to study even when it gets tiring or difficult.”
Not only does the idea of getting into a good college motivate some students, but also the friends and family around them. Having a supportive group of friends is what really keeps people relaxed and ready to face any obstacle. Spending time with friends and improving the social connections in life can make studies more enjoyable and rewarding. Talking to parents and friends about the tips and tricks to use when taking this exam can also be really advantageous.
Everyone can do this!
Focusing on the desired score, taking practice tests, and motivating ourselves can really enhance the performance on the SAT and PSAT. With enough dedication and focus, students can work towards any goal they set for themselves.
