You’ve got two problems here:

1) Talk to your school counselor about adjusting your schedule–that second semester is ridiculous to ask of a student. See if they could move Algebra II and TV Tech or something like that!

2) Test stress–see your school counselor about that too! There are also plenty of books at the library to help you prepare (and teach you the strategies to take the test)…but your counselor may have some of those too. The PSAT is a practice for your SAT’s. There are some scholarships given to the top national scorers of the PSAT, which would be nice naturally, but that doesn’t seem to be an issue. Relax and learn from the PSAT experience so you can apply it for when you take the SATs.

I think your thinking ahead to prepare is a great idea. Obviously you are a student who will do well! Good luck to you!

Not yet; TN. But a lot of neighboring schools have gotten theirs. My guidance counselor said they’ll probably give them back to us when we get our first interims next semester. They might actually have them now but are withholding the scores since they don’t want to take time out of finals week to hand out the scores. You might want to talk to your guidance counselor to see if that’s the case with your school, too. Did people do well at my schools? Ehh, we only had 2 kids above 220 last year (but my state’s cutoff was 213, and we had several between 213 and 219). And people who get straight A’s aren’t always the same people who get 220’s and 230’s, but most kids who get straight A’s usually get around 200+. If I remember correctly, NY’s cutoff was around 219 last year. I’m stressing as much as you are, but really, you shouldn’t stress… 1) There’s nothing you can do about your score now… it’s not like you can go back and change your answers. 2) I’ve heard that on average, juniors did worse this year than they did last year, so the cutoffs may go down. 3) If the cutoff is 219, a 219 will look the same as a 240, and for commended, a 200 (or whatever the cutoff is) will look the same as a 218… besides Commended/NMSF status, your PSAT score isn’t really all that important. However, for the REAL SAT, a 2190 is waaayyy different from a 2400, so focus your energy on that, rather than worrying about something that is currently beyond your control. =)

I’d go talk to your guidance counselor about the schedule. Try to spread out the two maths. But I think your second semester can be manageable, but you will have to study hard. I personally hate the concept of block scheduling for reasons like how rediculous your schedule is.

Don’t sweat the PSAT so much. During sophomore year, the test isn’t that important. You might buy an SAT review book, like the Princeton Review book, to prepare for the SAT (don’t bother with a PSAT book–might as well buy the more detailed one). Do focus on learning some of the material that is based around Geometry and Algebra 2 so that you won’t mess up the math section. But otherwise, don’t study too hard yet–you’ll only need to start studying for the PSAT you take during your junior year.

Get an SAT review book, and go over the material in it, the math especially. Take a few practice tests to see what you specifically need help on, and find specific review information for those areas. But: does your school actually use the PSAT for anything particular? Like, do they actually look at your scores? Because if not, it REALLY doesn’t matter in 10th grade. Now, in October of your junior year, then the PSAT matters, because that’s the ONLY time you can qualify for the National Merit scholarship. So treat the PSAT like what it is—a practice test!

As for your schedule, can you contact someone at your school and see about getting your schedule changed? You have legitimate concerns about having your two math classes at the same time, so they should be willing to try to work with it for you—but it’s also possible that, with the particular classes you’re taking, there’s no other way they could put your schedule. I had that problem my senior year: I hated the way my schedule was arranged, but some of my classes only had one section, so I couldn’t move them to any other time…

Good luck! I hope it works out for you!

Relax a little! In terms of the PSATs, it is just practice for a little test called the SATs. Even with those it’s like “you know what you know”, you know? Don’t totally freak out. I suggest that the day before the test just completely clear your mind and don’t do any studying or anything. Also, you can take practice exams to see what you need to work on, and actually, that’s what the PSATs are for, to show you your strengths and weaknesses. And about your schedule, I don’t think you will actually find some of the classes as hard as you think they’re going to be. Just try to pay a little bit more attention in the harder classes. Also, if you find yourself starting to slip in a class, talk to the teacher. I’m sure they will help you somehow!

You can buy PSAT and SAT prep books out there. Make sure you start looking through the books and reviewing early. That way you will feel more prepared. And don’t worry, you can’t “fail” any section. You can also go to www.collegeboard.com and there are prep courses you can take there.

why? they don’t even count