Is it really bad to do worse on the PSATS the second time you take it?

Question

I just received my PSAT score this morning, and as a junior in high school, I got an 1130. Last year, as a sophomore, I scored 1140. I know my parents are going to be extremely disappointed, and I'm unsure how to break the news to them. Is it really concerning to have a lower score in the second year? I've only been doing online school this year, and I feel like I’m not learning anything new, but I understand that may not be a valid excuse. Does my lower average score indicate that I won't be able to get into a top college? I'm really worried about how my parents will react. I apologize if this seems like a silly question.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I don&rsquo;t think they will be too upset considering the circumstances, and don&rsquo;t worry, it&rsquo;s not a stupid question.  I&rsquo;m only in tenth grade so I just took the PSAT once, but my brother took the PSAT and his score went up from sophomore to junior year, but not a ton.  In fact, he took the SAT three times, and his best time on the reading section was during his junior year, not his senior year.  He submitted his second SAT score (taken during senior year) because reading was decent and math was really good, but the point is that every time he took it his reading score dropped slightly, even despite a bit of studying.  Sometimes that happens. Given the pandemic and challenges of learning online, I&rsquo;d say that it actually is a legitimate excuse because even though my school has done OK with online schooling we are still not getting through nearly as much material as past years, yet multiple people (including myself) are struggling.  Also one test isn&rsquo;t really indicative of anything.  There&rsquo;s a lot going on right now&hellip;Also your score isn&rsquo;t bad, and it&rsquo;s not like it decreased by 100 or even 50 points.  It&rsquo;s possible you even got the same amount of questions wrong as last year, or even did slightly better.  In my book, it&rsquo;s pretty much the same score.  &#128578;

Anonymous · Answer

random variation is what you’re seeing.

Anonymous · Answer

This exam doesn’t count for anything.  Colleges are not going to ask for your PSAT results.  It really isn’t anything to get worked up about.

Anonymous · Answer

all kids are suffering academically because of the pandemic. your parents know this and will understand. if they are angry, it won&rsquo;t be at you. it will be at their politicians and the teacher&rsquo;s union.

Anonymous · Answer

That isn’t really anything but the same.  Not improving might be a problem, but anyone saying you did worse is exaggerating.  That is just a coin flip difference.

Anonymous

Is it really bad to do worse on the PSATS the second time you take it?

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