Introduction to the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT Roger D. Demaree 23 October 2017

Outline College readiness tests SAT scoring Typical SAT scores for colleges of interest SAT v. ACT Resources for preparation Sample questions reading writing math Math tricks Your questions . . .

Standardized college readiness tests SAT or ACT PSAT/NMSQT Similar to SAT but shorter and less advanced Qualify for scholarships Howard County does well with National Merit scholars PSAT 8/9 Less advanced than the PSAT All have practice tests online at Khan Academy

How is the SAT scored? Multiple choice, math also has “grid in” (four characters), plus optional essay No penalty for wrong answers. Math questions are sorted from easy to hard, but all questions have equal value. Reading, writing, and math are separately curved Middle score about 500 Top 16% scores at least 600 Top 2.5% scores at least 700 Top 0.15% gets an 800

Scoring 200 to 800 in each area (600 to 2400 total) National average: 495 in Reading, 484 in writing 511 in Math Maryland average: 491 in Reading, 478 in writing 493 in Math Howard County average: 548 in Reading, 543 in writing 565 in Math

What score does your child need? (out of 1600: Reading plus Math) Towson University 1070-1230 UMBC 1190-1390 UMCP 1280-1470 Cornell University 1390-1550 Johns Hopkins 1470-1580 Duke 1500-1580 Harvard 1490-1600 Caltech 1540-1600

SAT or ACT SAT: ACT: Reading, 52 questions in 65 minutes Writing, 44 questions in 35 minutes Math (non-calculator and calculator), 58 questions in 80 minutes Essay, 50 minutes (optional) ACT: Reading, 40 questions in 35 minutes English, 75 questions in 45 minutes Math, 60 questions in 60 minutes Science, 40 questions in 35 minutes

Resources The best preparation for the PSAT and SAT is learning Read Write Use math Consider preparing for the 11th grade PSAT Summer before the PSAT Consider preparing for the SAT in 11th grade

Resources Practice books https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat “The Official SAT Study Guide 2018” “8 Practice Tests for the SAT 2018” (Kaplan) “Barron's SAT”, and others https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/full-length-practice-tests https://www.khanacademy.org/sat Prep courses and tutoring

Reading content Four single reading passages, plus one pair of passages One U.S. or world literature One social science One U.S. founding document or global equivalent Two science Difficulty grade 9 to early college Question types: Information and ideas – what did the author say Rhetoric – questions on word choice, structure, purpose, point of view, and style Synthesis – compare and contrast passages, or draw conclusions from informational graphics

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Writing content Four passages, 11 questions each: Writing mode: Career Humanities History or social studies Science Writing mode: Narrative Informative or explanatory Argument Either informative or argument Questions cover Expression of ideas Standard English, and words in context Command of evidence, and analysis

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Math content “Heart of algebra” “Problem solving and data analysis” Interpreting and solving linear equations and inequalities Includes equations, tables, and graphs Heavy emphasis on systems of equations and inequalities “Problem solving and data analysis” Ratios, proportions, tables/charts probability “Passport to advanced math” Equivalent algebraic expressions Creating, solving, and graphing exponential, quadratic and other nonlinear equations “Additional topics in math” Area and volume Geometry: lines, angles, triangles, and circles

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Math trick 1 – use the calculator

Math trick 2 – make up numbers

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