1. PSAT/NMSQT INFORMATION MEETING
ROCKHURST HIGH SCHOOL

2. PSAT/NMSQT® OVERVIEW
The PSAT/NMSQT® is highly relevant to your future success because it focuses on the skills and knowledge at the heart of education. It measures:
The PSAT/NMSQT measures reading, writing and language, and math skills developed over many years, both in and out of school.
The PSAT/NMSQT does not ask for facts from literature, history, or science, or recall of math formulas, because it measures your reasoning and critical thinking skills.
You don’t have to discover secret tricks or cram the night before.
The test length is 2 hours, 45 minutes. 2

3. PSAT NUTS AND BOLTS WHEN: Wednesday, October 11th @ 8 am-12:00 pm.
Be at school by 7:45 to find your room assignments which will be posted in the Barry Commons AND shared with you via Google Docs.
WHERE: Classrooms at Rockhurst High School
WHAT WILL I BE TESTED OVER:
1. Evidence Based Reading: 60 minutes / 47 questions
Read a passage and be able to draw conclusions
2. Writing and Language Test: 35 minutes / 44 questions
Correct written passages for grammar and other English conventions
3. Mathematics 25 minutes (no calculator) / 45 minutes (with calculator)
48 questions (with AND without calculator)
Core Algebra /Data Analysis & Problem Solving / Passport to Advanced Math Additional Topics in Math
As a sophomore you might not have covered some topics in class yet.
4. Two Five minute Breaks
5. No penalty for guessing

4. NUTS AND BOLTS pt. 2
1. Please open your Student Guide from the “green” side.
It has general information on test day regulations, Student Search Service, detailed examples of the types of questions and an official practice exam from the SAT.
2. Please turn over your Student Guide from the “blue” side.
It has detailed information on the National Merit Scholarship Program.
3. On the exam make sure you use a #2 pencil (not mechanical) and mark in the answer sheet completely.
4. Make sure that you have an approved calculator with you.
Reminder: Everyone in the building will be taking the test…there will most likely be no backups available for you.
5. You may not use your cell phone during the exam. Make sure all alarms, etc. are turned off.

5. Why do I want to do my best on this test?
Sophomores:
Plays a role in what classes you are eligible for (AP/HONORS)
Helps give the school a more accurate picture of your overall academic readiness
Helps give you a more solid foundation for when you take the SAT and the ACT
Good standardized test practice

6. Why do I want to do my best on this test?
Juniors:
National Merit Scholarship Program
Helps give you detailed feedback on what you need to work on for the colleges that you want to go to
Helps give you a roadmap of specifically what you need to work on
Helps give the school a more accurate picture of your overall academic readiness
Helps give you a more solid foundation for when you take the SAT and the ACT
Good standardized test practice

7. What Are My Next Steps?
Continue to take challenging courses in high school.
The RHS curriculum is designed to develop skills that will help you on the PSAT.
Set up a practice plan and stick to it.
Utilize other resources to research and prepare for college.
Utilize practice resources that are available to you.
Practice exams and online materials (Khan Academy, etc.)
English and Math classes 7

8. How Do I Access My PSAT/NMSQT® Scores and Reports?
Review your Online reports
Review Your Paper Score Report
I will send you and your parents an detailing what to do 8

9. How Do I Access My Online PSAT/NMSQT® Scores and Reports?
Log in to an existing College Board account or create a new one at studentscores.collegeboard.org 9

10. How Do I Access My Online PSAT/NMSQT® Scores and Reports? (cont.)
1. Log in to Your Account
2. Select PSAT/NMSQT Scores
*Or*
3. Use “Missing Scores” to locate scores 10

11. What Will I Learn About My Scores?11

12. How Do I See My Detailed Scores?12

13. How Will I Do on the SAT®? 13

14. How Did My Score Measure Against College Readiness Benchmarks?
Section, test, and subscores all report scores in performance zones which indicate whether you are on track for success in the first year of college.
For section scores
Need to Strengthen Skills = below grade- level benchmark by more than one year
Approaching Benchmark = below grade- level benchmark by one year or less
Meets or exceeds Benchmark = at or above grade-level benchmark
For test scores and subscores,
Red, yellow, and green ranges reflect areas of strengths and weaknesses compared to the typical performance of students 14

15. What Do My Scores Tell Me?15

16. How Can I Improve My Academic Skills?16

17. What Can I Learn From My Answers?
Look at my online score report
Identify the questions I answered incorrectly
Find the correct answer and read the answer explanation
Explain why the error was made
Ask questions about answer explanations that are not clear 17

18. What Can I Learn From My Answers? (cont.)
Look at the types of questions I answered incorrectly and skipped:
Identify the level of difficulty. How many questions did I miss at each level?
Was I more likely to skip questions associated with any subscore or cross-test score?
What inferences can I make about areas for improvement based on the types of questions I missed and skipped? 18

19. Understanding My Paper Score Report19

20. What Are My Scores? 20

21. What Are My Scores? (cont.)21

22. What Are My Score Percentiles?22

23. What Are My Score Ranges?23

24. What is the National Merit® Scholarship Program?24

25. What Are My Areas of Strength? What Skills Do I Need to Build?25

26. Student Search Service®
Participate voluntarily
Connect with more than 1,200 colleges, universities, scholarship programs, and educational organizations
Sign up when you take the test:
Choose to participate in Student Search Service when registering for a College Board test (fill in the circle on the answer sheet).
Provide information about yourself on your answer sheet.
Participating organizations can then search for groups of students who may be a good fit.
FYI: The College Board never shares information on disabilities, parental education, self-reported parental income, Social Security numbers, phone numbers, or actual test scores through Student Search Service. 26