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When do you start the process of test preparation? Which strategies are most effective for college admission test practice? The world of college test ...

The purpose of taking the PSAT/NMSQT in 10th is only to get a bit of practice about how to take a bubble test in a public school setting. Even in 11th...

Acronyms Rule in October! PSAT and FAFSA October is a big month for homeschoolers. It's when you need to know your stuff as the homeschool guidance counselor. But no need to freak out! It's fairly simple. There are only two acronyms you need to know: PSAT and FAFSA. PSAT The PSAT is a test that's only offered in October each year. I recommend it for 10th and 11th graders. It's a no-stress test, taken just for...

PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and PSAT/NMSQT The PSAT now comes in quite a few formats: PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and PSAT/NMSQT.The College Board®'s goal is to sell products (obviously) but also give children plenty of opportunities to take the test. In this test-heavy educational environment, over-testing is the norm, and they are trying to provide what schools are wanting. More tests. But all the PSAT tests are really practice for the SAT, with the added possibility...

Take the PSAT for Fun and Profit Like the SAT, the PSAT is a college admission test overseen by the College Board®. It meets most state homeschool testing requirements and covers reading, writing, and math, but doesn't include an essay. The PSAT is a fairly inexpensive test compared to most annual assessments. In addition to being practice for the SAT, the PSAT can help you find a college, indicate career options your student might not have...

What do you do when your child's PSAT score surprises you? Life with a gifted child is never boring! Sometimes you just don't know what to do next. PSAT Scores: 14 and Gifted Hi Lee,I just got a jolt when I read on your website that a rough conversion from PSAT to SAT is to add a zero to the end. So what do I do with a 14 year old who has a PSAT selection index...

I have so many military and missionary members and subscribers, sometimes I feel like I travel the globe as I talk to people.  It's so fun! I often get questions about how my military and missionary friends can plan for college visits.When homeschoolers live overseas, make the best use of your breaks in the US.  Visit colleges, as many as you can, during your visits back to the US. For overseas families, try to find colleges that...

Money for College! Have you seen billboards and newspaper articles announcing that a student is a National Merit Scholar?  Did you know that those students entered the competition by taking the PSAT? The National Merit Scholarship is the best known high school scholarship in the nation, and the only way to win is to start with the PSAT test.  Therefore, the single most important thing you can do to win that scholarship is to make sure...

The time for studying for the PSAT has ended.  Now is the time to relax. At this point, you have done your best to prepare.  Even if you haven't, you can't really cram for a standardized test, and you don't want to stress out your children anyway.Stop worrying.  Relax.  Deep breath in...  deep breath out.....Remember what PSAT stands for.  PRE or PRACTICE test for the SAT.  That's all!  It's just practice.  It's not the Superbowl.  It's...

Once you get the PSAT scores, what happens next?  Have your children take the SAT or ACT in the spring of junior year.My daughter is going to take the SAT in Mar 2012. She's taken the PSAT and we had her scores sent to our home. But when it comes to the SAT scores I was thinking of doing the same thing and then we personally send the scores to the colleges. Is that the best...

I am praying you can help answer this. How do I know, if she will do better on ACT or the SAT? I want her to go with the test that best fits her. Any ideas on this? Thank you for your help,~ Bertie in WashingtonDear Bertie,You can’t find out until she has utilized a trial test at home. Just a sample test at home, one for SAT and also one for ACT. After that, find...

What is the difference between a legitimate offer and junk mail?  It can be very difficult to decide!   If you have a high school student who has taken the PSAT or SAT or ACT, you may get some offers to join an honor society. Some are legitimate and some are not.  Try to determine if the honor society is tied to some sort of actual "honor" like GPA or SAT scores.  Then look to see if...

You are not the only one.  Some children are just perfectionists, nervous about tests.  Although no fault of their own, parents feel like they are the only one with a panicky teen.My son isn't feeling confident about taking the PSAT. My question is, does he have to take it? He has been having a hard time since the summer and because he's struggling emotionally, I am not sure it's a good idea for him to take...

There are lots of benefits of taking the PSAT; practicing for an important test, receiving financial aid for college.  Last week I found an unexpected benefit!  When children see a public school environment, it can have surprisingly positive consequences!  This letter from Sheri explains what her son learned in school the day he took the PSAT. What a Difference a Day Makes!Hi Lee,I thought you might enjoy hearing about my son's day (well, really just a...

Why did you take the PSAT?  Did you remember to register in time?  I was very encouraged the other day when Kitty said she and her friends remembered to take the test because of me!  After a hard day, that sort of positive encouragement can make my whole week!  Here is what she wrote: Lee,Today my son took his PSAT test. Four or five moms were waiting for their children after the test and they told...