The PSAT Guest Speaker: Mrs. Esquivel 9/18/09

What is it? PSAT stands for “Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test” PSAT stands for “Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test” It is what most people refer to as the PRACTICE SAT It is what most people refer to as the PRACTICE SAT It is ALSO the NMSQT (National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test) for Juniors It is ALSO the NMSQT (National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test) for Juniors

NMSQT If you take the PSAT as a JUNIOR and if you score high enough, you can qualify for scholarships and awards! If you take the PSAT as a JUNIOR and if you score high enough, you can qualify for scholarships and awards! But you will learn more about this next year But you will learn more about this next year

GOOD NEWS for 10 th Graders!!! IT’S FREE THIS YEAR! GGUSD recognizes the importance of this test in preparing our students for college, so they are covering the cost! IT’S FREE THIS YEAR! GGUSD recognizes the importance of this test in preparing our students for college, so they are covering the cost! Junior year, you will need to pay (or get a fee waiver) Junior year, you will need to pay (or get a fee waiver)

Structure of the PSAT SectionNumber of ?s Time Critical Reading2425 minutes Math2025 minutes Critical Reading2425 minutes Math1825 minutes Writing Skills3930 minutes

CRITICAL READING Two 25-minute critical reading sections  48 questions. 13 Sentence completions 13 Sentence completions 35 Critical reading questions 35 Critical reading questions

Critical Reading section What it tests: What it tests: Extended reasoning Extended reasoning Literal comprehension Literal comprehension Vocabulary in context Vocabulary in context Format/Questions: Format/Questions: Sentence completions Sentence completions Passage-based readings Passage-based readings 48 questions in two sections 48 questions in two sections

MATH Two 25-minute math sections  38 questions 28 multiple-choice math questions 28 multiple-choice math questions 10 Student-produced responses or grid-ins 10 Student-produced responses or grid-ins

Math section What it tests: What it tests: Algebra & functions Algebra & functions Geometry & measurement Geometry & measurement Data analysis, statistics, & probability Data analysis, statistics, & probability Format/Questions: Format/Questions: Multiple-choice Multiple-choice Student-produced responses Student-produced responses 38 questions in the two sections 38 questions in the two sections

MATH (Con’d) Students are advised to bring a calculator with which they are comfortable. Students should have basic knowledge of 4 math categories: 1. Numbers and Operations 2. Algebra and Functions (but not 3 rd year level math that may appear on the new SAT) 3. Geometry and Measurement 4. Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability

WRITING SKILLS One 30-minute writing section  39 questions 14 Identifying sentence errors 14 Identifying sentence errors 20 Improving sentences 20 Improving sentences 5 Improving paragraph questions 5 Improving paragraph questions These multiple-choice questions on writing skills measure a student’s ability to express ideas effectively in standard-written English, to recognize faults in usage and structure, and to use language with sensibility to meaning. THERE ISN’T ANY ACTUAL “WRITING” INVOLVED!

Writing Skills (cont’d) What it tests: What it tests: Grammar Grammar Usage Usage Word choice Word choice Format/Questions: Format/Questions: Multiple-choice Multiple-choice Improving sentences, identifying sentence errors, & improving paragraphs Improving sentences, identifying sentence errors, & improving paragraphs 39 questions in the section 39 questions in the section

How the PSAT is scored Like the SAT, the PSAT uses a NEGATIVE SCORING SYSTEM Like the SAT, the PSAT uses a NEGATIVE SCORING SYSTEM You lose a fraction of a point (1/4) for each incorrect answer You lose a fraction of a point (1/4) for each incorrect answer Soooo…DON’T just guess and answer every question Soooo…DON’T just guess and answer every question Learn how to recognize questions you should skip and practice the PROCESS OF ELIMINATION strategy! Learn how to recognize questions you should skip and practice the PROCESS OF ELIMINATION strategy!

Scores & Reporting You’ll receive 3 scores for the PSAT: You’ll receive 3 scores for the PSAT: 1. Critical Reading 2. Math 3. Writing Skills Each section will be reported on a scale of Each section will be reported on a scale of Your scores will be mailed to Mrs. Milner about 6-8 weeks after you take the test. Your scores will be mailed to Mrs. Milner about 6-8 weeks after you take the test. LQ counselors will hand them out & explain your results to you and your parents at PSAT Night. LQ counselors will hand them out & explain your results to you and your parents at PSAT Night.

PSAT vs. SAT (basics) SATPSAT Structure 10 sections5 sections Length 3 hours 45 minutes2 hours 10 minutes Purpose College Admissions SAT Practice & NMSQT Scoring 2400 Selection index out of 240

The SAT is definitely the PSAT’s bigger brother! SectionNumber of ?sTime Writing1 essay25 minutes Critical Reading24 multiple choice25 minutes Math20 multiple choice25 minutes Writing35 multiple choice25 minutes Critical Reading24 multiple choice25 minutes Math18 multiple choice25 minutes Experimental??multiple choice25 minutes Math16 multiple choice20 minutes Critical Reading19 multiple choice20 minutes Writing14 multiple choice10 minutes NOTE: In contrast to the PSAT, the sections on the SAT can appear in a different order!

What does the PSAT Score mean for my SAT score? Actually, it’s hard to say…the SAT’s scores are exactly 10 times that of the PSAT. So you’re thinking that you can just take your PSAT score and multiply it by 10 and that would be your possible SAT score some day…right???... Actually, it’s hard to say…the SAT’s scores are exactly 10 times that of the PSAT. So you’re thinking that you can just take your PSAT score and multiply it by 10 and that would be your possible SAT score some day…right???...

Well…not necessarily so… Think about this: world-class sprinters can complete a 100- yard dash in under ten seconds. Going at the same speed, an athlete should be able to run a mile in under three minutes…right? But has anyone ever run a mile that quickly? NO! Think about this: world-class sprinters can complete a 100- yard dash in under ten seconds. Going at the same speed, an athlete should be able to run a mile in under three minutes…right? But has anyone ever run a mile that quickly? NO!

Fatigue’s Effect on the SAT The same thing applies to the SAT. The PSAT only has 5 sections, but the SAT has 10 and flirts with the 4-hour mark! The same thing applies to the SAT. The PSAT only has 5 sections, but the SAT has 10 and flirts with the 4-hour mark! Isn’t fatigue likely to become a factor in your overall score? Isn’t fatigue likely to become a factor in your overall score?

Why am I sharing this with you? Just be prepared for your SAT score to maybe not be a perfect reflection of your PSAT. It is simply more difficult to stay sharp for almost 4 hours compared to only 2 in the PSAT. Just be prepared for your SAT score to maybe not be a perfect reflection of your PSAT. It is simply more difficult to stay sharp for almost 4 hours compared to only 2 in the PSAT. Plus, the SAT’s math is slightly more advanced too AND it has a written essay. Plus, the SAT’s math is slightly more advanced too AND it has a written essay.

“Ok…so now I’m stressed!” Don’t be! Don’t be! Instead, remember that your PSAT scores will NOT be sent to colleges; they are just for your reference. Instead, remember that your PSAT scores will NOT be sent to colleges; they are just for your reference. Also, instead of being stressed, see this for what it is-an OPPORTUNITY! The more practice you have at anything in life, the better your end result will be Also, instead of being stressed, see this for what it is-an OPPORTUNITY! The more practice you have at anything in life, the better your end result will be

Want to learn more? Talk to those who have already taken the PSAT Talk to those who have already taken the PSAT Talk to your AVID teacher Talk to your AVID teacher Make an appointment to meet with your counselor Make an appointment to meet with your counselor Visit for more info Visit for more infowww.collegeboard.org Purchase a PSAT prep book from your local bookstore Purchase a PSAT prep book from your local bookstore Use your time the next few weeks in your AVID class wisely as you work on practice questions! Use your time the next few weeks in your AVID class wisely as you work on practice questions!

Thanks for inviting me into your class! Mrs. Esquivel Counseling Office (Building A ) Counseling Office (Building A )