PSAT 8/9 (standardized testing for eighth and ninth grade)

 If you're in high school, you definitely know that there's a HUGE stress on standardized exams. "You have the SAT in a year! Start studying!" and all that. If you're scared about standardized testing and how to handle it, you've come to the right place. Today we're going to explore how to go about doing this test in a way that you will succeed.

Disclaimer: Success DOES NOT mean a 100%. I know that you may be used to getting A+'s on tests in school, but this is not your typical test. Although it is possible to get a perfect score (which, in the case of the PSAT 8/9 is a 1440), it is not something that you should beat yourself up about not getting. Unlike a test for a class that you can study the content for, the PSAT 8/9 (and the PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT, and SAT) is more about showing that you can use logic and analytical thinking to answer questions. The only real way to study for these tests is paying attention in class and doing practice tests.

Image courtesy: CollegeBoard

How to gain the knowledge for the test: Pay attention in class. I know, know, you must be thinking, "Really? That's it? Nah, that's too simple!", but it's true! The tests are separated by grade level because they want to assess what you have learned each year and the progress that you have made in terms of the main skills that they are trying to assess, which are analytical thinking, simple algebra, data analysis, grammar, and finding clues based on context. These are all skills that you are taught (hopefully!) in school, because these are the REAL skills that you need to succeed in life. Sure, understanding calculus may make you seem smart, but in order to succeed in life, you really just need to know how to apply these basic skills and add on to them. 

Well, since the skills seem so simple, you must now be wondering, "Then why do we learn such complex stuff in school?", but most of the complex things that you learn in school other than these skills are probably to help you get more in depth about a certain field. For example, if you want to become an author, all you have to do is know how to write. However, if you want to be a GOOD author, you have to know how to incorporate plot elements correctly, use literary devices, and so on. As I just showed you, the complex skills that you learn are to make you know more in-depth information about specific fields. Even if you don't plan to go into a certain field, by being taught some complex skills, you might actually change your interests too.

  Anyway, that took a little bit of a detour from the topic, but I wanted to make sure you understood WHY you take the tests before I help you with HOW to take the test.

Practice makes perfect: DO THE PRACTICE TESTS that are on the College Board website! The whole reason that these tests exist is to help you become comfortable with the timing on the real tests and to help you get a feel for how it will go. The practice tests helped me get a 1440 on the PSAT 8/9, so I highly recommend doing them if you really have a desire to succeed! 

There's really nothing else you need to do! Practicing and paying attention will help you do your best. Get good rest the week and night before the exam, eat hearty meals, and drink lots of water. You need all of your energy so you can give the exam your all. And good luck on your test!

Do let me know by commenting on this post if these tips helped you out.