How to Interpret Your PSATNMSQT Score District of

How to Interpret Your PSAT/NMSQT Score District of Columbia Public Schools | 1200 First Street, NE | Washington, DC 20002 | T 202. 442. 5885 | F 202. 442. 5026 | dcps. dc. gov

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation By the end of the session you will be able to: § Determine your PSAT/NMSQT scores and how to access your report § Understand key terms that will help place your scores in context § Understand the score (sub)sections and what they reflect § Use the score report to identify areas of strength and how to improve your score § Leverages resources to improve your score and preparation for the SAT 2

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Agenda § PSAT/NMSQT Overview § Key Terms § Score Components § Next Steps: How to Improve Your Score 3

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation PSAT/NMSQT Overview § Targeted towards 10 th and 11 th graders to prepare for SAT § Asses knowledge and skills most essential for college and career readiness and success • Reading • Writing and Language • Math § A student’s score on PSAT/NMSQT predicts score for SAT 4

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Key Terms § Percentile • How a student ranks in comparison to other students. • The percentage of students whose scores fall at or below the student’s score. A test taker whose Math percentile rank is 57 scored higher or equal to 57% of test takers. § Score Range • The range of your score with repeated testing, even if your skills are the same. 5

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Key Terms--- Continued (Benchmarks for College and Career Readiness) § Benchmarks for College and Career Readiness • Identifies level of readiness for college and career § Color Indicators • GREEN- College and career ready • YELLOW-Approaching benchmark; within 1 year of academic growth • RED- Area to strengthen; more than 1 year of academic growth § Readiness (Green) signifies 75% likelihood of passing key math and English classes in college 6

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation PSAT/NMSQT Score Components Overview • Total Score Report • Subscore (Evidence Based Reading and Writing) • Test Scores and Cross Scores • National Merit Scholarship Score • Skills Insight 7

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Initial Login § https: //studentscores. collegeboard. org/home § Go to “sign in” • If creating account, click “sign up” Once on home screen § Can see Total Score, EBRW Score, Math Score § Click “View Details” to see more information 8

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Under “Report Details”: Total Score Report § Total Score Report is a combination of two subscores: • Evidenced Based Reading/Writing Score • Math Score § Ranges from 320 -1520 • Total Score: 970 Benchmark § 11 th Grade Benchmarks: • Reading/Writing----460 • Math----510 § 10 th Grade Benchmarks • Reading Writing----430 • Math---- 480 9

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Evidenced Based Reading/Writing Section Score Evidenced Based Reading Writing Score • Interpret, analyze, synthesize, and use evidence from sources • Examples include: passages from texts and informational graphics (such as tables, graphs, and charts) • Score range: 160 -760 Information Contained: § Section Score § How the score compares to the benchmark § Color coded level of readiness 10

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Math Section Score § Math Section Score • Assesses skills using: - Linear relationships, ratios, percentages - Proportional relationships and data analysis - Non-linear equations and functions § The Math Section Score provides the following information: • Section Score • How the score compares to the benchmark • Level of college readiness based on the score 11

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Test Score Sections—Range from 8 -38 § Reading • Comprehension and reasoning of challenging passages § Writing and Language • Revising and editing skills in the context of appropriately challenging passages § Math • Linear relationships, ratios, percentages, data analysis, and non-linear equations § Can view correct answers, missed questions, and skipped questions! (click on box) 12

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Refresher on Percentiles § Represents the percentage of students whose scores fall at or below your score (from 1 to 99 percent) § Available for all sections • Click “show details” button: § Two Types of Percentages • Nationally Representative Sample Percentile: Compares an individual student’s score to the scores of typical U. S. students in a particular grade. • User Percentile—National: Compares an individual student’s score to the scores of typical U. S. College Board test takers in a particular grade. 13

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Cross Scores § Score Range from 8 -38 § Analysis in Science • Apply reading, writing, language, and math skills to answer questions in history and social studies contexts § Analysis in History/Social Studies • Apply reading, writing, language, and math skills to answer questions in science contexts § To see percentages, click “show details” 14

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Subscore Section § Score ranges from 1 to 15 § Shows score and strength breakdown across 7 key areas § To learn more about each section, click the 15

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation National Merit Score § National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses the Selection Index score to designate groups of students to receive recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program § The top 50, 000 scores (approximately) qualify for recognition § Reported on a scale ranging from 48 to 228 • Sum of the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Test scores § PSAT/NMSQT for Juniors will have a National Merit Score 16

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation National Merit Score (cont. ) § To view the score, click “NMSC Selection Index” 17

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Skills Insight § Helps provide an understanding of how the scores relate to actual skills in the areas of reading, writing, and language, and math § Based on your score you can identify: • Strengths and current skills • Specific actions to take to improve your skills. 18

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation How to Go to Skills Insight View 19

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Next Steps: How to Improve Your Score § Review Actual Questions and Correct Answers § Follow Guidance in the “Skills Insight Section” § Compare your scores with students at prospective institutions § Khan Academy Practice 20

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Next Steps: Review Questions and Answers § Through the online portal, you can view your test questions and answers • Understand the reasons for missed questions § Click the Test Question Tab § Then, click on the question number 21

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Next Steps: Follow Guidance in the “Skills Insight” Section § Click on “Skills Insight” § Follow the suggestions for future study 22

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Next Steps: Compare Your Score with Prospective Institutions § Helps to determine how your scores compare to admitted students at schools you are interested in § Go to the main dashboard on score report and click on “Search for Colleges” § On the new page, click on “Test Scores and Selectivity” • Then filter by your scores • You can also search for schools and then see their average test scores to compare 23

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Next Steps: Khan Academy Practice! § College Board and Khan Academy have partnered to provide free SAT practice § Personalized instruction based on your score and access to full length exams § 20 hours of practice on Khan Academy is associated with an average 115 -point score increase from the PSAT/NMSQT to the SAT § 6 hours of study on Official SAT Practice is associated with an average 90 -point increase—no small bump. 24

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation How to Link Account to Khan Academy Steps for Linking Student Accounts Step 1: Visit satpractice. org. This is where students can log in or create a Khan Academy account. Step 2: Link accounts. When prompted, students must agree to link their Khan Academy and College Board accounts. Step 3: Send test results. Students must sign in or create an account at collegeboard. org and click “Send” to send their scores to Khan Academy for a personalized practice plan. 25

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation Khan Academy App for Daily Practice § Daily practice via app on your phone or mobile device § Obtain immediate feedback and personalized study § Here’s how Scan and Score works: • STEP 1: Take a complete SAT practice test or PSAT 10 practice test, using the official answer sheet to bubble in your answers. • STEP 2: Open Daily Practice and activate your phone’s camera. • STEP 3: Keeping the app open, scan your answer sheet with your phone’s camera. 26

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation For Resources Go To § https: //www. khanacademy. org/sat • For practice with Khan Academy § https: //studentscores. collegeboard. org/home • To login to view your scores § https: //collegereadiness. collegeboard. org/psat-nmsqt-psat 10/scores/getting-scores • To find out when your scores are available § Reach out to your school counselor or Dylan Hart-Medina, Analyst for College Prep Programs at DCPS--- Dylan. hart-medina@dc. gov § REMEMBER JUNIORS TAKE THE SAT IN SCHOOL ON MARCH 7 TH 2018!! § BEST WISHES ON THE SAT!! 27

PSAT/NMSQT Score Interpretation For Signing In or Signing Up § https: //studentscores. collegeboard. org/home § Go to “sign in” • If creating account, click “sign up” Once on home screen § Can see Total Score, EBRW Score, Math Score § Click “View Details” to see more information 28