Mundy’s Mill High School 02/09/2017 PSAT Mundy’s Mill High School 02/09/2017

WHAT IS THE PSAT? PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. This test has two purposes: One, it is practice for the SAT, which is one test most colleges require for admission. Two, it is used to select students seeking National Merit Scholarships which are awarded spring term of the senior year. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation awards about 4000 scholarships each year, as well as additional scholarships given specifically to minority students.

WHAT IS ON THE PSAT/NMSQT The PSAT/NMSQT is a 2 hour test: Includes: Four 30-minute sections. The format consist of alternating verbal and math sections. The Verbal Section consist of 58 questions: 16 Sentence Completion, 12 Analogies, and 30 Critical Reading Questions. The Math Section consist of 50 questions 25 Multiple-Choice, 15 Quantitative Comparisons, and 10 Student produced responses. The math section covers arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. No calculator is required!

WHEN SHOULD YOU TAKE THIS TEST The PSAT is given once a year. Some people take it multiple times; their freshman, sophomore and junior years. This test only counts for National Merit during junior year.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COUNT? Think of the PSAT as practice, because that is what it is designed for. Your scores are not usually sent to any college unless you specifically request it. Even then, they do not count for admission. Most schools want to see your scores on the SAT or ACT and will use the PSAT only as a basis for sending you recruitment literature.

HOW TO PREPARE The most important factor in preparing for the PSAT is to become familiar with the format. Take the practice tests. Be sure you understand what the questions ask for. Many problems students have will be due to the way the question is phrased rather than the question itself. It is a good idea to become familiar with how directions on the test are given, and with taking a test under time pressure. When you get your scores back six weeks later, you will know just what areas you need to work on.

PSAT SCORES PSAT.ORG/SCOREWEEK PSAT 10 total scores The total score shown in the report reflects the combination of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section score (160–760) with the Math section score (160–760). The total score reported range for the PSAT 10 is 320–1520.

Video Demonstrations SHORT SCORE DEMO VIDEO https://colleger eadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat- 10/scores/student-score-reports 2 mins; Understanding your scores DETAILED SCORE REPORT REVIEW: EACH STUDENT WILL RECEIVE SCORE REPORT 2/10/2016; ALSO ONLINE AT PSAT.ORG https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLKUFgPgohs 24:26 MARKER- 29 MINS

Paper Score Report https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/sample-psat-10- score-report.pdf STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE THIS IN 1ST PERIOD TOMORROW 2/10/17 STUDENTS CAN ALS0 VIEW ONLINE AT PSAT.ORG

What will students see? SCORE REPORT DEMO sat.org/scoresdemo Paper Handout – ASSESSING AP POTENTIAL https://secure- media.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/psat/using-psat- nmsqt-scores.pdf

Percentile Explanation If your percentile score is 93rd: Your score is on the 93rd percentile means that your score precisely lies on the equivalent 93% of the total score after all the scales and everything. Which means 7% have done better than you. The Nationally Representative Sample percentile compares your score to the scores of typical U.S. students in a particular grade. The User Percentile — National compares your score to the scores of typical U.S. College Board test-takers in a particular grade.

Link your College Board Account with Khan Academy www.satpractice.org or https://www.khanacademy.org/sat YOUR TEST SCORES WILL FEED INTO KHAN ACADEMY & GIVE YOU A PERSONALIZED PRACTICE PROGRAM.

NEXT STEPS: SAT PREP Free SAT practice is available now on Khan Academy. ​Students have access to personalized SAT study resources. Khan Academy's world-class practice tools are free for all students and include: Thousands of practice questions, reviewed and approved by the College Board Four official SAT Practice Tests written by the College Board Personalized recommendations for instruction and practice to help students fill their knowledge gaps The official SAT Practice on Khan Academy's website links to classroom learning — the best preparation for the SAT. Also check the Guidance website for SAT/ACT resources: www.mundysmillcounseling.weebly.com

Scholarships and Recognition Scores from the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 are also used to identify candidates for the National Merit® Scholarship Program. Students who take the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT, and the PSAT 10 can opt in to Student Search Service® to make their names and information available to scholarship programs as well as colleges.

AP POTENTIAL VISIT PSAT.ORG/SCOREWEEK Both educators and students can see if students' test scores indicate that they are likely to succeed in specific AP courses. College Board research shows that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically experience greater academic success in college and are more likely to earn a college degree on time than non-AP students. AP Potential identifies students who are likely to succeed in AP courses and on AP Exams. The only tool of its kind, it is free to all schools that offer the redesigned SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or PSAT 8/9. AP Potential uses scores from the redesigned SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, and PSAT 10 to provide predictions for 23 AP Exams. VISIT PSAT.ORG/SCOREWEEK How AP Potential Works: Helps Identify students likely to succeed on AP Exams, Helps Determine which AP courses to offer

Student Search Service Student Search Service® is a free service that has helped millions of students receive valuable information from colleges and nonprofit scholarship organizations. When students take the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, and PSAT 10, they’re asked if they want to participate. By opting in, they give the College Board permission to share their names and limited information with colleges and scholarship programs looking for students like them. Students answer questions on the SAT student questionnaire or their PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 answer sheets. Eligible organizations use answers from students who have opted in to search for groups of students who may be a good fit for their communities and programs. The most searched items are expected high school graduation date, cumulative GPA, and intended college major. How to Participate Answer "yes" to the Student Search Service question on the answer sheet when students take the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, or PSAT 10. Opt in when registering for the SAT. Participation is completely voluntary and students can stop participating at any time. Why Participate? Most students opt in to Student Search Service so they can get information about more than 1,100 colleges and scholarship programs without being solicited by commercial entities. It’s also a way to take advantage of the scholarships offered by our new partners.

QUESTIONS???

Tools for Educators https://professionals.collegeboard.org/?navId=gh-prof https://cb.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/score-week-for- counselors/ https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/understanding- psat-10-scores-2016.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uFjBfPVjFU