The problem with the PSAT is that it is not only easier, it is shorter. A huge part of the SAT is the endurance/focus aspect. That is one reason why (at least theoretically) College Board didn't approve of super young kids signing up for the SAT and only working 1/3 of the test
Not sure I follow the 1/3rd of test. Do young kids take only part of the SAT?
In our case our DS9 did not cap out on Explore (Composite score was 20). So I imagine there is plenty of room in PSAT before she caps out. Is that an accurate assessment?
By 1/3, I am referring to kids who only did 3 out of 10 sections on the old SAT because they were only interested in a Math score or a CR (Critical Reading) score. Sometimes they may ending up doing 4 sections if the experimental section happens to be in their subject of interest. The other 6 or 7 sections they just rest, pretend to work or just casually answer some of the questions. I was told that CB frowns on this but some younger test takers do it anyway. I am not making a judgment against this practice, but simply pointing out that testing for 70 minutes with long breaks between the three sections is a different experience from testing for 225 minutes over ten randomly ordered sections. Of course, with the new SAT format, the essay section is optional/last and the CR and Writing are each one big section but form a combined score while the math are two smaller sections so not as huge a difference as on the old SAT if you are just interested in one score.
Interestingly, Davidson had changed their SAT criteria from just one qualifying score to at least two in 2015. For example, now an 7th grade applicant would need two of three: Math 660, CR 640, Composite (Math + CR)1300. Obviously, if you meet both the Math and the CR, you would also meet the composite but it is also possible to score really high in one (800) and just average (500 - slightly below 50th percentile in the other) in the other and still meet the composite of 1300.
