PSAT Interpretation December, 2012 Albion Middle School Don Berkey, School Counselor Denise Candow, School Counselor Welcome!

SAT Question of the Day from Sentence Completion Directions: Read the sentence Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Sentence Completion Because King Philip's desire to make Spain the dominant power in sixteenth-century Europe ran counter to Queen Elizabeth's insistence on autonomy for England, was Answer Choices: (A) reconciliation.. assured (A) reconciliation.. assured (B) warfare.. avoidable (B) warfare.. avoidable (C) ruination … impossible (C) ruination … impossible (D) conflict … inevitable (D) conflict … inevitable (E) diplomacy … simple (E) diplomacy … simple

Correct Answer D Explanation: The word "because" indicates that the information in the first part of the sentence (the part before the comma) explains the reason for the situation described in the second part. The first part states that what King Philip wanted (domination for Spain) "ran counter to" what Queen Elizabeth wanted (independence for England). Choice (D) logically completes the sentence.

Correct Answer The correct sentence reads: Because King Philip's desire to make Spain the dominant power in sixteenth-century Europe ran counter to Queen Elizabeth's insistence on autonomy for England, conflict was inevitable. (from sample test, Jan. 2011)

PLEASE REMEMBER … The PSAT test for 7 th and 8 th graders is just practice! Students gain experience in test-taking skills such as time management, familiarity with standardized test format, etc. which should help them with future PSAT/SAT/ACT tests. Middle school student scores - compared to college-bound sophomores; Juniors-compared to juniors and above.

Materials brought home by your child 2012 Score Report Plus 2012 Score Report Plus Test booklet used by your child on test day {Oct. 2012} Test booklet used by your child on test day {Oct. 2012}

Scoring Each correct answer = + 1 point (regardless of level of difficulty) Each correct answer = + 1 point (regardless of level of difficulty) Each unanswered question = 0 points Each unanswered question = 0 points

Scoring Incorrect answers Incorrect answers (to math questions 29-38) 0 points (to math questions 29-38) 0 points Incorrect answers Incorrect answers (to multiple choice questions) - 1/4 point

Scoring Critical Reading Critical Reading Math Math Writing Skills Writing Skills 20 to 80 scale on all tests 20 to 80 scale on all tests Grade 9 avg: Grade 10 avg: Grade 11 avg: 47-50

Scoring Range: Scores within the range can be considered “similar” to yours. This estimates how much one’s score would vary if taken repeatedly with no additional skills Range: Scores within the range can be considered “similar” to yours. This estimates how much one’s score would vary if taken repeatedly with no additional skills Percentile: More significant because a “national” ranking. Percentile: More significant because a “national” ranking. Expected score on SAT: Expected score on SAT: Add zero to raw score: Add zero to raw score: 48 on PSAT = 480 on SAT

Your Answers Question number Question number Correct answer Correct answer Check mark if correct or Check mark if correct or correct answer is shown correct answer is shown Difficulty of question Difficulty of question (e = easy, m = medium, h = hard) (e = easy, m = medium, h = hard)

Selection Index Sum of Critical Reading, Math and Writing Skills scores. Sum of Critical Reading, Math and Writing Skills scores. The asterisk (*) indicates that your student does not meet the eligibility requirements of being in the 10 th grade. The asterisk (*) indicates that your student does not meet the eligibility requirements of being in the 10 th grade. Used as initial screening for scholarship programs. Used as initial screening for scholarship programs. Additional information was provided Additional information was provided by your student, including career interests. by your student, including career interests. See “Next Steps” { See “Next Steps” {

How To Improve Scores Read section of report titled “Your Skills” Read section of report titled “Your Skills” College Board has identified skills most likely to improve with extra work. College Board has identified skills most likely to improve with extra work. Caution: Many questions have not yet been covered in 7 th and 8 th grade curriculums! Caution: Many questions have not yet been covered in 7 th and 8 th grade curriculums!

Albion Results - 7 th Grade 48 students tested 48 students tested Mean scores: Mean scores: Critical Reading:44.9 Math:47.2 Writing Skills:44.6 Selection Index Range: 85 to 190

Albion Results - 8 th Grade (Compared to 2011 District Results) 53 students tested 53 students tested Mean scores: Mean scores: Critical Reading:45.8 (45.5) Math:45.7 (45.5) Writing Skills:42.8 (42.3) Selection Index Range:95 to 185 (93 to 194)

Albion Results - 8 th Grade (Class of 2017) (Compared to 2011 District Results)

8 th Grade Compared To College-Bound OHIO Sophomores Mean Scores: 8 th Grade (OHIO 10 th Grade) Mean Scores: 8 th Grade (OHIO 10 th Grade) Critical Reading: 45.8 (49) Critical Reading: 45.8 (49) Math: 45.7 (47) Math: 45.7 (47) Writing Skills: 42.8 (48) Writing Skills: 42.8 (48)

Current 8 th Grade Compared To College-Bound OHIO Sophomores

Summary PSAT scores are not used by colleges as part of their admissions criteria. PSAT scores are not used by colleges as part of their admissions criteria. Success will increase with more course work and more testing experiences. Success will increase with more course work and more testing experiences. It’s Just Practice!!

Take The Next Step Access your FREE PSAT College Planning Kit at: Access your FREE PSAT College Planning Kit at: Review question and answer explanations Review question and answer explanations Develop skills through rigorous academic courses and quality outside reading Develop skills through rigorous academic courses and quality outside reading Follow the personalized advice in My SAT Study Plan and My College Quick Start Follow the personalized advice in My SAT Study Plan and My College Quick Start {see next slides} {see next slides}

My College QuickStart

My Online Score Report Projected SAT® score ranges State percentiles You can filter questions Questions and answer explanations

My College QuickStart My SAT Study Plan™ Personalized skills to improve SAT practice questions An official SAT practice test

My College QuickStart My College Matches Starter list of colleges Criteria to customize search Ability to save searches

My College QuickStart My Majors & Career Matches Major you chose Related majors Related careers

In conclusion … Thank you for reading the material. Remember to contact your middle school counselor with further questions and/or concerns.