PSAT test should be taken seriously

By Logan Brooks

Reporter

The PSAT can put a lot of stress on students, but is it really deserving of the recognition it gets as one of the most intimidating tests you will ever take?

While the PSAT is known for being a hard test and putting a lot of stress on students, many people say that the actual test is a bit underwhelming.

“I believe that many people stress over the PSAT because their parents want them to do well,” said freshman Charles Harris.

However, the test is very important and should not be taken with a grain of salt. Students need to be prepared to study and dedicate time to the PSAT, as well as focusing whenever their classes practice.

“This test places you in categories academically, and you want to be put in a good spot,” Harris said.

Colleges tend to look at your SAT scores, and so you generally want to do good on the PSAT, so that you can get worthwhile practice. Perhaps this is the reason why many people fret over the PSAT.

“I believe that many people stress over the PSAT because their parents have high expectations for them, and they may view this as the test of the year,” said junior Joseph Johnson.

Most would argue that the most stress comes the day of the actual test due to lack of experience and/or preperation. A good way to deal with this is to take the time to study and learn anything that you may be struggling in to sharpen your mind.

“When you should actually start studying depends on when they say you’re taking the test. I would say a week, or even three days before the testing day,” Harris said.

To study, you will need a good studying environment. Harris recommended a quiet room, for example.

Actually studying would improve students’ minds and thus their confidence, lowering their stress levels a bit. This can sound simple when it is written on paper, but putting it into place can be a bit harder since many students are procrastinators, and lack the will to choose studying over fun.

The PSAT is not really as bad as it seems, so long as you take the time to study and practice. However, this is not the only way that you could relieve stress. You could also take advice from fellow students who have already taken the test.

“Lots of people fear the test because they hear other people talking about how they’re going to fail it,” said freshman Daniel Mitchell. “If they would instead talk about how well they’re gonna do, the upcoming test takers would fear it less.”

It is not uncommon for upperclassmen to talk negatively about the test when it is coming up, and this talk may seem harmless, but it is actually quite the opposite. When younger students hear their older peers talking about how they are going to struggle on a test, it has a chance to cause them to stress over it.

“All this loose talk just adds more stress to younger students that they don’t need,” said Daniel Mitchell. “It would be beneficial to both the younger and older students if they were more optimistic.”

“Don’t think that it’s the end of the world if you don’t do to well, but try to do better the next time,” Harris said.

However, if you are a junior, then things may be a little different for you. Around this year, colleges will be looking for your test scores and your grades, and it would be best if you scored decently on the test, since this test may be the deciding factor as to whether you are getting scholarship money.

Colleges will be looking at your performance on tests and will be deciding if you are qualified to enroll in their school and represent them or not. Generally, juniors will want to keep that in mind when they hear that testing is around the corner. After all, a good college will look really good on a resume when trying to get a position at your dream job.

The PSAT should be taken seriously, but not because this is one of the most important tests, but perhaps maybe because this is the test which sole purpose is to give you practice for the SAT and a goal to achieve. Do not over stress over this test, but do not ignore it either, as how well you do on the actual test may somewhat decide where you go in your future. So you will want all the practice you can get.