4 ms·

"(believe me, it takes MONTHS (or even years) of dedication to actually ace the PSAT or SAT)" I'm disinclined to believe this statement. Would you mind taking

"(believe me, it takes MONTHS (or even years) of dedication to actually ace the PSAT or SAT)" I'm disinclined to believe this statement. Would you mind taking the time to prove this for me? Also, what is considered an "ace" score? In my experience the PSAT and SAT were tests that measured how well you can take tests and I do not consider my personal test scores to be the result of years of hard work and dedication.

ghshephard 14y ago
With the exception of the truly brilliant, (the 0.01%) the other 99.99% of us do have to put in the better part of a year to nail 2400 on the SAT. If you were able to do that without a lot of hard work and dedication, than I commend you on your inherent brilliance - life is going to be a lot easier for you than the rest of us.
- Evbn 14y ago
  People who coast through high school effortlessly have a lot of trouble when life throws them problems that lack of textbook answers, and they have no skills for solving those sorts of problems.
  - biscarch 14y ago
    I would disagree. I contend that those that put tremendous importance on high school assignments (ex: the overachievers) come out needing textbook style answers because a huge portion of the time, high school assignments and tests are of the "This is what it says in the textbook. The textbook is always right. Go find the sentence and repeat it here." type. Furthermore, I doubt you can judge someone's ability to find solutions to non-textbook style problems via their performance in high school due to the fact that those sorts of problems are rarely brought up in a high school context. Case in point: Multiple choice tests and essay questions based on your ability to cross reference the textbook. Anecdotal evidence: I coasted through high school and have no trouble arriving at potential solutions (and gauging chances of success) when I meet problems with no discernible textbook-style solution.
ComputerGuru 14y ago
The PSAT is (in my anecdotal opinion) much harder to "ace" than the SAT. NMSQT qualification was around ~215/240 for last year, that would definitely count as flying colors. I'd say anything over 205ish would be "acing" the PSAT. I've met many highly-talented individuals who did really great on PSAT/ACT/etc, but none of whom could have achieved a 200+ on the PSAT without studying (for) the test extensively beforehand. In fact, I'd bet there isn't a single NMSQT scholar who didn't kill themselves in preparation for the PSAT.
- biscarch 14y ago
  Thank you. I was an NMSQT semi-finalist, but not a finalist, so I'm fairly certain I don't qualify as an NMSQT Scholar however, by your definition, I probably aced it. The extent of my studying (for any standardized test) was taking an SAT book from the common library in the house and placing it on the shelf in my room. I've never put much stock in it, but if what you're saying is true, it has ramifications for my worldview in general. I guess what I'm trying to say is thanks for giving me some perspective, I have some thinking to do.
  - deleted 14y ago
    [deleted]
- brianchu 14y ago
  I second what biscarch said. It is most certainly an over-generalization to imply that highly-talented individuals must have studied for the PSAT in order to have done well. In my experience, it is quite common for intelligent people to do very well (NMSC Finalists) without studying, especially because that was true for me and several of my friends.
  - biscarch 14y ago
    I'd be interested to know about your habits in hs to see if there is any behavioral correlation. ie: did you go to class? do homework? spend more time on projects that were non-school related? etc.
- 14y ago

ghshephard 14y ago

With the exception of the truly brilliant, (the 0.01%) the other 99.99% of us do have to put in the better part of a year to nail 2400 on the SAT. If you were able to do that without a lot of hard work and dedication, than I commend you on your inherent brilliance - life is going to be a lot easier for you than the rest of us.

Evbn 14y ago
People who coast through high school effortlessly have a lot of trouble when life throws them problems that lack of textbook answers, and they have no skills for solving those sorts of problems.
- biscarch 14y ago
  I would disagree. I contend that those that put tremendous importance on high school assignments (ex: the overachievers) come out needing textbook style answers because a huge portion of the time, high school assignments and tests are of the "This is what it says in the textbook. The textbook is always right. Go find the sentence and repeat it here." type. Furthermore, I doubt you can judge someone's ability to find solutions to non-textbook style problems via their performance in high school due to the fact that those sorts of problems are rarely brought up in a high school context. Case in point: Multiple choice tests and essay questions based on your ability to cross reference the textbook. Anecdotal evidence: I coasted through high school and have no trouble arriving at potential solutions (and gauging chances of success) when I meet problems with no discernible textbook-style solution.

ComputerGuru 14y ago

The PSAT is (in my anecdotal opinion) much harder to "ace" than the SAT. NMSQT qualification was around ~215/240 for last year, that would definitely count as flying colors. I'd say anything over 205ish would be "acing" the PSAT. I've met many highly-talented individuals who did really great on PSAT/ACT/etc, but none of whom could have achieved a 200+ on the PSAT without studying (for) the test extensively beforehand. In fact, I'd bet there isn't a single NMSQT scholar who didn't kill themselves in preparation for the PSAT.

biscarch 14y ago
Thank you. I was an NMSQT semi-finalist, but not a finalist, so I'm fairly certain I don't qualify as an NMSQT Scholar however, by your definition, I probably aced it. The extent of my studying (for any standardized test) was taking an SAT book from the common library in the house and placing it on the shelf in my room. I've never put much stock in it, but if what you're saying is true, it has ramifications for my worldview in general. I guess what I'm trying to say is thanks for giving me some perspective, I have some thinking to do.
- deleted 14y ago
  [deleted]
brianchu 14y ago
I second what biscarch said. It is most certainly an over-generalization to imply that highly-talented individuals must have studied for the PSAT in order to have done well. In my experience, it is quite common for intelligent people to do very well (NMSC Finalists) without studying, especially because that was true for me and several of my friends.
- biscarch 14y ago
  I'd be interested to know about your habits in hs to see if there is any behavioral correlation. ie: did you go to class? do homework? spend more time on projects that were non-school related? etc.
14y ago