PSAT 2015

You should take it

What is the PSAT?

Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test

Basically a practice SAT

Detailed scores to help you prepare for the SAT and ACT

Testing during school allows you to develop comfort in the testing environment

Who takes the PSAT?

9th and 10th Graders

Detailed scores

Know your weaknesses before your junior year

Determine if the PSAT prep class is right for you

11th Graders

Detailed scores

Know your weaknesses before the SAT

NMSQT – more on that later

NMSQT

National Merit Semi-Finalist Qualifying Test

PSAT is used to determine eligibility

Only for Juniors

Goal – 98th percentile in your state

Huge scholarship opportunity

Most (over 90%) of semi-finalists become finalists

PSAT Prep Class

You MUST take the PSAT if you are considering the class.

The class is offered second semester of your 10th grade year and first semester of your 11th grade year

After the October test, you prep for the ACT

Average growth of students not in PSAT class was 6.65 points

Average growth of students IN the PSAT class was 20.97 points

SAT Changes

SAT changes in March of 2016

2015 PSAT will reflect those changes

Words in context

No calculator and calculator portions of math

No penalty for guessing

2 hours, 45 minutes

PSAT Sections

Language

Reading: 60 mins, 46 questions

Writing: 35 mins, 44 questions

Math

No Calculator: 25 mins, 17 questions

Calculator Active: 45 mins, 31 questions

Expect “grid-ins” in both sections of math

How to Prepare

Khan Academy

PSAT or SAT Prep Book

College Board website

Details

Wednesday, October 14th at 8am

$17 – Turn in form and payment to English teacher

Plan to be at school by 7:45 that day

You will be provided with a calculator (but it is nice to have your own)

Unlike the ACT, you may use TI-Nspire CAS (though those will only be provided to the juniors)