1. 1 Prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT ® : A Step to the Future

2. 2 A Brief Overview of the Presentation  What is the PSAT/NMSQT?  Skills Tested on the PSAT/NMSQT  Test Preparation Strategies Notify students and parents about the PSAT/NMSQT ® :

3. 3 What is the PSAT/NMSQT?

4. 4 What is the PSAT/NMSQT ® ?  Measures academic skills you’ll need for college  Co-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation  Serves as an entry point to National Merit Scholarship Corporation competitions and practice for the SAT  Approximately 3.5 million students participate each year (44% eleventh-graders and 56% tenth-graders or younger)

5. 5 Benefits of the PSAT/NMSQT ®  Preparation for the SAT®  Scholarship and recognition opportunities (11 th grade)  College and career planning tools  Admissions and financial aid information from colleges  Feedback on academic skills

6. 6 Redesigned PSAT/NMSQT  Key Changes: –Require students to demonstrate their command of evidence found in a wide range of sources. –Ask students to interpret the meaning of words based on context, while eliminating the need to memorize obscure words. –Allow students to focus in depth on the math skills that matter most for college and career success. –Improve students’ test-taking experience by employing Rights-only scoring removing the penalty for wrong answers

7. 7 Changes to Format Old PSAT  2 hours, 15 minutes  Scoring: –20-80 in each section, 60-240 total score  Three sections: –Critical Reading –Mathematics –Writing Redesigned PSAT  2 hours and 45 min  Scoring: –160-760/ section, 320- 1520 total score  Three sections: –Evidence-Based Reading –Evidence-Based Writing –Math

8. 8 Section Breakdowns TestLengthQuestion Type Evidence-Based Reading60 minutes 9 U.S./World Literature 18-20 Social Studies/ History 18-20 Science Evidence-Based Writing & Language 35 minutes 24 Expression of Ideas 20 Standard English conventions Math 25 minutes: No Calculator 45 minutes: Calculator 16 Heart of Algebra 13 Data Analysis & Problem Solving 16 Passport to Advanced Math 2 Additional Topics in Math

9. 9 Evidence-Based Reading Passages  There are 5 reading passages or paired passages:  1 U.S./World Literature passage  2 Social Studies/History passages (or 1 passage + 1 passage pair)  2 Science passages (or 1 passage + 1 passage pair)

10. 10 Evidence-Based Reading  Longest, single section of the exam lasting 60 minutes and covering 47 questions. –Approximately 75 seconds per question, not including the time needed to read each of the 5 word passages or passage pairs, each between 500-700 words.  This section of the exam is aimed at testing your ability to draw supported conclusions from the passage details and/or make inferences based on the author’s point of view.

11. 11 Evidence-Based Writing & Language  Tests your ability to identify and correct areas where the passage does not comply with standard English conventions  35 minutes long and covers 44 questions. –That’s approximately 45 seconds per question, not including the time needed to read each of the 4 word passages, each between 400 and 450 word –24 Expression of Ideas 20 Standard English conventions

12. 12 Mathematics  70 minutes long, 47 questions (Approximately 90 seconds per question)  Most are multiple choice but some are Grid-in  First 25 minutes  No Calculator  Remaining 45 minutes  Calculator

13. 13 Math Topics Tested  Heart of Algebra- tests your ability to create, solve, and analyze equations, systems of equations, linear equations, inequalities, and functions.  Data Analysis & Problem Solving- focuses on real-world problems like concepts in proportional relationships, percentages, complex measurements, and data interpretation and synthesis.  Passport to Advanced Math- tests your ability to understand and analyze the structure of advanced expressions as well as complex equations, including quadratic and higher-order equations.  Additional Topics in Math

14. 14  PSAT/NMSQT redesign information compliments of http://www.kaptest.com/psat/kaplan-psat-prep/all- about-the-psat

15. 15 How does the PSAT/NMSQT ® compare to the SAT®? Question Types: Very similar Length: The PSAT/NMSQT is 2 hours, 45 minutes. The SAT is 3 hours, 45 minutes. Format: Matches the newly redesigned SAT which will be offered for the first time in March 2016

16. 16 Sample Questions

17. 17 Sample Reading Question

18. 18 Sample Writing & Language Question

19. 19 Sample Question- Heart of Algebra

20. 20 Sample Question- Data Analysis

21. 21 Sample Math Question- Passport to Advanced Math

22. 22 Sample Math Question: Grid-in

23. 23 Calculators are Encouraged A scientific or graphing calculator is recommended. Bring a familiar calculator. Test day is not the time to figure out how to use a new calculator.

24. 24 Test Preparation Strategies

25. 25 Know How the PSAT/NMSQT Is Scored Because there’s no penalty for guessing, your raw score is the number of questions you answered correctly. Raw scores are converted to scores on a scale of 160 to 760 using a process called equating Student scores also include College Benchmarks which indicate if a student is on track to be prepared to take college level work

26. 26 Personalized Skills Information The PSAT/NMSQT Score Report:  contains information to help you improve your academic skills.  lists skills that you have the best chance of improving with additional work.  includes advice, written by teachers, on how to improve those skills.

27. 27 Student Score Report

28. 28 Student Score Report cont.

29. 29 Detailed Feedback

30. 30 Test Preparation: Long-Term READ!  Continuous reading improves vocabulary and develops essential skills.  Read more books than just those required for class. Take Challenging Courses!  This will help you to develop and strengthen your critical thinking skills.

31. 31 Test Preparation: Short-Term  Take the practice test in the Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT.  Understand scoring and “educated guessing.”  Familiarize yourself with the test’s format, questions types, and directions.  Visit the Khan Academy for FREE study materials: https://www.khanacademy.org/sathttps://www.khanacademy.org/sat

32. 32 Test Preparation: Test Readiness Strategies When you sit down to take the test:  Read all of the directions.  Read all of each question’s answer choices.  Do scratch work in the test book.  Work at a steady pace. If you skip a question:  Note it in the test book.  Leave it blank on the answer sheet.  Return to it if there is time.  Remember: you don’t have to answer every question to score well.

33. 33 Visit collegeboard.org

34. 34 PSAT/NMSQT A Step to the Future