psats

[Whickerman]

My daughter just got the results of the PSAT exams she took to get into a summer school for bright kids. The overall score was 1680, and she's been accepted and given the choice of all available courses. I reckon this must mean the score's pretty high, but can anyone tell me if it's average, higher than normal or whatever?

Thanks

[pinkflamingo]

You didn't say how old your daughter is, but maybe you should stop thinking about her IQ and let her enjoy her summer holidays without the pressure of school and learning.

I have very fond memories of the carefree summers I spent as a child.

[meltoadhall]

Sorry dont know about the score, but very well done on getting a place. how did she find out about getting a place?

pinkflamingo, I have a gifted daughter too and she would give her eye teeth for a place at sumer school because a lot of gifted children constantly want to learn and know things that "normal" children never even think of. It would be lovely to have a child who is content to run about and play as my other children do but she reads constantly and wants to "know" everything at once!!

[mimififi]

my daughter is the same. I home educate her because she was so unhappy at school and spent so much time just waiting for the next thing after doing her work in a few minutes, or being placed on a table with children who were finding it difficult to help them with their work and I thought that 6 was a bit young for her to be being used as an LSA!

She constantly reads now and learns things on her own and spends 3 mornings a week in the library studying and reading. When she has little to do she becomes unhappy and stressed and bored basically, the summer hols was a long time for her to spend with no real focus.

Sorry i have digressed, I don't know anything about these scores either, but I must defend you in your decision to do the summer school thing. Sometimes it feels as though it is ok to have a child who is struggling and everyone gives you all the support you need (and so they should, I'm not saying for one second that they shouldn't have it) but when you have a child who is special needs because the need more and more challenging work, people don't seem to be so sympathetic.

i shall do some looking and if I find anything I'll post back. Congratulate her on her results and I hope she has fun at summer school.

[MrsJo49155]

Understanding PSAT Scores

A "perfect" PSAT score is 2400. The PSAT scoring system, as explained by the College Board, is below:

The PSAT/NMSQT score reports provide three different scores on the 20-to-80 scale. One each for verbal skills, math skills, and writing skills. The average verbal, math, and writing skills score for juniors is about 49.

Also on your score report is the Selection Index, which is the sum of the three scores (V + M + W). The Selection Index ranges from 60 to 240. The average Selection Index of juniors is about 147 (this would give a rating of 1470 so your daughters score of 1680 certainly looks above average)

Well Done!

[Whickerman]

Hi all - thanks for that.

Flamingo - my daughter heard of the school in class, and asked for details herself. She only told us when she'd been asked to take part in the entrance exam. There's a hell of a difference between a pushy parent and a supportive one, hopefully when you've kids you'll realise that and not be afraid to support your kids for fear of pressurising them - I'll repeat, this was all off her own bat and she's thrilled with the opportunity.

She's just turned 14 btw, and a more grounded individual you couldn't meet - she's a terrific kid, and we're very veryt proud of her.

[tanzanya]

I thought the highest score you could get was 1600 - 800 math / 800 verbal ?

PSAT and SAT scores have risen dramatically over the years - I got into a top 5 private school - rhymes with Stanford - on a SAT score of 1220, back in 1995.

My close friend who worked with the Princeton Review doing SAT tutoring was able to increase her students' scores by almost 2-300 points after tutoring.

It is great that your child scored high, but SAT and PSAT scores are increasingly irrelevant as tutoring plays an unfair advantage. Soon everyone will get perfect scores.

It is better that she concentrates on her course work, makes sure she gets into all the honours classes and mixes it up with sports and afterschool activities.

Civics clubs that have scholarship schemes like the Rotary Club, would be good for her to get involved with as if she is a 'bright' girl she will want to go to a top school and low interest student loans and federal grants are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Thank you Bush!

[tanzanya]

oh just saw that - 2400 is a perfect score in PSAT? I am getting old!