An Exercise in Frustration!

Allison asked:

I had a question about the PSAT.  My daughter is in 10th grade this year and she is at or above grade level in all her subjects, except math.  We are trying to decide if taking the PSAT this year is necessary.  Thanks for your help with this.

If a 10th grader isn’t good at math, then taking the PSAT may not be “for fun” at all, but just “for frustration.”  Taking the PSAT in 10th grade is just for fun, in order to make the PSAT and SAT the following year easier.  My concern with taking the PSAT in 10th grade without enough math could make it more difficult for her to do well the following year.  She may feel incapable, or that the PSAT is too hard, because of her experience of taking it before she is ready.  So I guess if it were me, I wouldn’t give the PSAT to a 10th grader who might be frustrated with the test, either because their math or their English is below the level of the PSAT.  You don’t want her to be turned off by the test, and there is no reason to give it if it will make the situation worse.  So I guess my vote is a “no” on the PSAT in 10th grade for your daughter.  You know best, of course, but I’d be tempted to avoid the frustration.  If she is taking geometry this year, then she should be in a good place with her math to take the PSAT in 11th grade.  She’s really not behind in ANY way, I just wouldn’t want to push the test a year early if it were me.

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