If you took the PSAT or Pre-ACT this fall, you will have your scores soon—if you do not have them already. Once you have received your score report, what should you do next? If you are a junior in high school here are five steps that we recommend you take now:
1. Take a moment to congratulate yourself. You have taken a grueling standardized test and lived to tell about it. Reflect on what you’ve been through and use the experience to give you confidence as you take future standardized tests.
2. Assess your results. Students can log onto the College Board website to view their full PSAT score report. The College Board also publishes a detailed PDF to help students and parents interpret their PSAT scores.
Juniors who score in the top 3-4% of students in their state on the PSAT are named Commended Scholars. Juniors in the top 1% of students in their state qualify as National Merit Semifinalists. Outside of those two top distinctions, we check if students meet the college readiness grade-level benchmarks for each section:
| PSAT/NMSQT 11th Grade Benchmarks (2018) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Score | Percentile | |
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 460 | 42% |
| Math | 510 | 62% |
When we work with students, we tell them: your scores are somewhat predictive of how you would fare on the SAT or ACT if you took the tests today. But you aren’t taking them today. If you aren’t happy with the scores, don’t overreact. Keep in mind that no college will ever see them. Most importantly, know that it is common for students to improve their outcomes when they take the actual SAT or ACT.
3. Build on your results. Use your scores as a starting point to determine areas to focus on in preparation for taking the SAT or ACT. For example, if you aren’t happy with your score on the math section, focus your preparation on that area. Find a helpful SAT test prep book or ACT test prep book. or better yet, use online evaluations to determine whether you prefer the ACT or SAT. And then, study for that test.
4. Chart your course. Now is the time to chart your course for taking the SAT or ACT. Look up testing dates (SAT registration dates and deadlines | ACT registration dates and deadlines) and make a plan for when you will take the tests over the course of your junior spring and senior fall. Once you determine which test you prefer, you will want to take that test two or more times.
5. Engage with colleges that interest you. For those colleges that interest you, read their emails and sign up for their mailing lists. (You may want to create a special email account for all admission-related emails so you can keep them separate from your other mail.) Engaging with these colleges early on will help you in this discovery phase. Don’t be afraid to reach out to their admissions office. Colleges will appreciate your early engagement, or demonstrated interest, when it comes time for you to apply. And your knowledge about the school may make it easier for you to complete your application as you demonstrate why you would be a good fit.
