By Hannah Frazier

Summer is a time for pure relaxation and forgetting all about school, right? Wrong! This is especially false for current sophomores who ought to be thinking about the PSAT. It may seem rather early to be getting prepared but there is no such thing as being over prepared.

Current Junior Marzuk Hasan received a perfect score on the PSAT and he began studying the summer before the test. He says, “Prepping early helps you not panic and ensures you get through everything.” Marzuk says that when it comes to studying, quality matters over quantity. He says, “It is not just about studying hard, but also smart studying.”

Marzuk suggests taking as many practice tests as possible and addressing your problem areas based on your score. It is crucial to understand where the mistakes were made and how to make sure the same mistakes do not happen on test day. Reviewing concepts you find challenging will improve your chances of success astronomically. Marzuk suggests taking the TPA PSAT summer prep classes and using tools on Khan Academy to your advantage. He also recommends the program by Boston Academy for English and math.

Current sophomore Theresa O’Connor has started preparing already. She took the TPA PSAT summer prep class in her freshman year, and this summer plans to take the prep classes through Boston Academy recommended by Marzuk. She will be taking many practice tests to make sure she is as prepared as possible by the time of the test.

Try getting your hands on a PSAT prep book. They often include valuable information for the test and practice tests as well. In addition to this, Theresa has made flashcards for vocabulary and practice problems. Theresa says, “It is important to start prepping for this test early because they are a key factor in college scholarships.”

Do not be afraid to reach out to upperclassmen who have taken the test before to ask for tips, tricks, and advice. Marzuk says, “There is no need to be nervous. You got this! You just have to study in advance and make sure to keep your focus when studying.”

Studying ahead of time will make sure you are confident in your abilities on test day. Let’s study early and show them how the Knights get it done!