The PSATThe PSAT

Guest Speaker: Mrs. EsquivelGuest Speaker: Mrs. Esquivel

9/18/099/18/09

What is it?What is it?

PSAT stands for “Preliminary PSAT stands for “Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test”Scholastic Aptitude Test”

It is what most people refer to as It is what most people refer to as the the PRACTICEPRACTICE SAT SAT

It is ALSO the NMSQT (National It is ALSO the NMSQT (National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test) Merit Scholar Qualifying Test) for for JuniorsJuniors

NMSQTNMSQT

If you take the PSAT as a If you take the PSAT as a JUNIOR and if you score high JUNIOR and if you score high enough, you can enough, you can qualifyqualify for for scholarships and awards!scholarships and awards!

But you will learn more about But you will learn more about this next yearthis next year

GOOD NEWS for 10GOOD NEWS for 10thth Graders!!!Graders!!!

IT’S FREE THIS YEAR! IT’S FREE THIS YEAR! GGUSD recognizes the GGUSD recognizes the importance of this test in importance of this test in preparing our students for preparing our students for college, so they are covering the college, so they are covering the cost!cost!

Junior year, you will need to pay Junior year, you will need to pay (or get a fee waiver)(or get a fee waiver)

Structure of the PSATStructure of the PSAT

Section Number of ?s

Time

Critical Reading 24 25 minutes

Math 20 25 minutes

Critical Reading 24 25 minutes

Math 18 25 minutes

Writing Skills 39 30 minutes

CRITICAL READINGCRITICAL READING

Two 25-minute critical reading Two 25-minute critical reading sections sections 48 questions.48 questions.

13 13 Sentence completionsSentence completions 35 35 Critical readingCritical reading questions questions

Critical Reading sectionCritical Reading section

What it tests:What it tests: Extended reasoningExtended reasoning Literal comprehensionLiteral comprehension Vocabulary in contextVocabulary in context

Format/Questions:Format/Questions: Sentence completionsSentence completions Passage-based readingsPassage-based readings 48 questions in two sections48 questions in two sections

MATHMATH

Two 25-minute math sections Two 25-minute math sections 38 38 questionsquestions

28 28 multiple-choice math multiple-choice math questionsquestions

10 Student-produced responses 10 Student-produced responses or or grid-insgrid-ins

Math sectionMath section

What it tests:What it tests: Algebra & functionsAlgebra & functions Geometry & measurementGeometry & measurement Data analysis, statistics, & probabilityData analysis, statistics, & probability

Format/Questions:Format/Questions: Multiple-choiceMultiple-choice Student-produced responsesStudent-produced responses 38 questions in the two sections38 questions in the two sections

MATH (Con’d)MATH (Con’d)

Students are advised to bring a calculator Students are advised to bring a calculator with which they are comfortable. Students with which they are comfortable. Students should have basic knowledge of 4 math should have basic knowledge of 4 math categories:categories:

1.1. Numbers and OperationsNumbers and Operations2.2. Algebra and Functions (but not 3Algebra and Functions (but not 3rdrd

year level math that may appear on year level math that may appear on the new SAT)the new SAT)

3.3. Geometry and MeasurementGeometry and Measurement4.4. Data Analysis, Statistics and Data Analysis, Statistics and

ProbabilityProbability

WRITING SKILLSWRITING SKILLS

One 30-minute writing section One 30-minute writing section 39 questions39 questions 14 14 Identifying sentence errorsIdentifying sentence errors 20 20 Improving sentencesImproving sentences 5 5 Improving paragraphImproving paragraph questions questions

These multiple-choice questions on writing skills These multiple-choice questions on writing skills measure a student’s ability to express ideas measure a student’s ability to express ideas effectively in standard-written English, to recognize effectively in standard-written English, to recognize faults in usage and structure, and to use language faults in usage and structure, and to use language with sensibility to meaning.with sensibility to meaning.

THERE ISN’T ANY ACTUAL “WRITING” INVOLVED!THERE ISN’T ANY ACTUAL “WRITING” INVOLVED!

Writing Skills (cont’d)Writing Skills (cont’d)

What it tests:What it tests: GrammarGrammar UsageUsage Word choiceWord choice

Format/Questions:Format/Questions: Multiple-choiceMultiple-choice Improving sentences, identifying Improving sentences, identifying

sentence errors, & improving sentence errors, & improving paragraphsparagraphs

39 questions in the section39 questions in the section

How the PSAT is scoredHow the PSAT is scored

Like the SAT, the PSAT uses a Like the SAT, the PSAT uses a NEGATIVE SCORING SYSTEMNEGATIVE SCORING SYSTEM You lose a fraction of a point (1/4) You lose a fraction of a point (1/4)

for each for each inincorrect answercorrect answer Soooo…DON’T just guess and Soooo…DON’T just guess and

answer every questionanswer every question Learn how to recognize questions Learn how to recognize questions

you should skip and practice the you should skip and practice the PROCESS OF ELIMINATION PROCESS OF ELIMINATION strategy!strategy!

Scores & Reporting Scores & Reporting You’ll receive 3 scores for the PSAT:You’ll receive 3 scores for the PSAT:

1.1. Critical ReadingCritical Reading

2.2. MathMath

3.3. Writing SkillsWriting Skills Each section will be reported on a Each section will be reported on a

scale of scale of 20-80.20-80. Your scores will be mailed to Mrs. Your scores will be mailed to Mrs.

Milner about 6-8 weeks after you Milner about 6-8 weeks after you take the test.take the test.

LQ counselors will hand them out & LQ counselors will hand them out & explain your results to you and your explain your results to you and your parents at PSAT Night.parents at PSAT Night.

PSAT vs. SAT (basics)PSAT vs. SAT (basics)

SAT PSAT

Structure 10 sections 5 sections

Length 3 hours 45 minutes 2 hours 10 minutes

Purpose College AdmissionsSAT Practice &

NMSQT

Scoring 2400Selection index out of

240

The SAT is The SAT is definitelydefinitely the the PSAT’s bigger brother!PSAT’s bigger brother!

Section Number of ?s Time

Writing 1 essay 25 minutes

Critical Reading 24 multiple choice 25 minutes

Math 20 multiple choice 25 minutes

Writing 35 multiple choice 25 minutes

Critical Reading 24 multiple choice 25 minutes

Math 18 multiple choice 25 minutes

Experimental ??multiple choice 25 minutes

Math 16 multiple choice 20 minutes

Critical Reading 19 multiple choice 20 minutes

Writing 14 multiple choice 10 minutes

NOTE: In contrast to the PSAT, the sections on the SAT can appear in a different order!

What does the PSAT Score What does the PSAT Score mean for my SAT score?mean for my SAT score?

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

Well…not necessarily so…Well…not necessarily so…

Think about this: world-class Think about this: world-class sprinters can complete a 100-sprinters can complete a 100-yard dash in under ten seconds. yard dash in under ten seconds. Going at the same speed, an Going at the same speed, an athlete should be able to run a athlete should be able to run a mile in under three minutes…mile in under three minutes…right? But has anyone ever run right? But has anyone ever run a mile that quickly? NO!a mile that quickly? NO!

Fatigue’s Effect on the SATFatigue’s Effect on the SAT

The same thing applies to the The same thing applies to the SAT. The PSAT only has 5 SAT. The PSAT only has 5 sections, but the SAT has 10 sections, but the SAT has 10 and flirts with the 4-hour mark!and flirts with the 4-hour mark!

Isn’t fatigue likely to become a Isn’t fatigue likely to become a factor in your overall score? factor in your overall score?

Why am I sharing this with Why am I sharing this with you?you?

Just be prepared for your SAT Just be prepared for your SAT score to score to maybe maybe not be a not be a perfectperfect reflection of your PSAT. It is reflection of your PSAT. It is simply more difficult to stay simply more difficult to stay sharp for almost 4 hours sharp for almost 4 hours compared to only 2 in the PSAT.compared to only 2 in the PSAT.

Plus, the SAT’s math is slightly Plus, the SAT’s math is slightly more advanced too AND it has a more advanced too AND it has a written essay.written essay.

““Ok…so now I’m stressed!”Ok…so now I’m stressed!”

Don’t be!Don’t be! Instead, remember that your PSAT Instead, remember that your PSAT

scores will NOT be sent to colleges; scores will NOT be sent to colleges; they are just for your reference.they are just for your reference.

Also, instead of being stressed, see Also, instead of being stressed, see this for what it is-an OPPORTUNITY! this for what it is-an OPPORTUNITY! The more practice you have at The more practice you have at anything in life, the better your end anything in life, the better your end result will beresult will be

Want to learn more?Want to learn more?

Talk to those who have already taken the Talk to those who have already taken the PSATPSAT

Talk to your AVID teacherTalk to your AVID teacher Make an appointment to meet with your Make an appointment to meet with your

counselorcounselor Visit Visit www.collegeboard.org for more info for more info Purchase a PSAT prep book from your Purchase a PSAT prep book from your

local bookstorelocal bookstore Use your time the next few weeks in your Use your time the next few weeks in your

AVID class AVID class wiselywisely as you work on practice as you work on practice questions!questions!

Thanks for inviting me into Thanks for inviting me into your class!your class!

Mrs. EsquivelMrs. Esquivel agallard@ggusd.us Counseling Office (Building A )Counseling Office (Building A )