PSAT Score Interpretation October 2012 Test Results and

PSAT Score Interpretation October 2012 Test Results and Interpretation January 15 2013

PSAT/NMSQT l Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test l It provides 1 st hand practice for : l New SAT l Chance to qualify for NMSC scholarship programs (Juniors Only)

REASONS FOR TAKING l Receive information on strengths/weaknesses l Can serve as an indicator of the students readiness of college level work l Comparison to others applying to college l Enter competition for scholarships l Prepare for SAT Exams l Receive information from Colleges

HOW THE TEST IS SCORED l For correct answers students received 1 full point l For each unanswered question students received 0 points l For each incorrect answer to multiple choice test questions students lose 1/4 of a point l The points earned in each section are converted to scores on the PSAT/NMSQT scale of 20 -80

WHAT IS ON THE SCORE REPORT l Three different scores on the 20 -80 scale one each for critical reading, math, & writing (add all three scores together to get your selection index) l Percentiles allow the students to compare their scores with those of others applying to college (Juniors are compared to other juniors, sophomores and younger are compared to other sophomores) E. g. A student with a percentile of 53 has earned a score better than 53 out of every 100 college bound students who took the test l Information on where you need improvement & how to improve your scores l

PSAT COMPARED TO SAT To convert a PSAT score to an SAT score, simply add a ZERO to the PSAT score l The SAT is on a 200 -800 scale compared to the 20 -80 scale of the PSAT l E. g. A PSAT score of 56 is similar to an SAT score of 560 l Add all three scores together after adding a ZERO to the end to get a similar complete SAT score l

Sample Score Report & Website Explanations l http: //professionals. collegeboard. com/profd ownload/sample-psat-nmsqt-student-scorereport. pdf l http: //www. collegeboard. com/student/testin g/psat/quickstart. html Enter your student specific code located at the bottom right of your PSAT/NMSQT® paper score report

Check This Out. . . l MCPS has a free SAT prep available on the website. l Student reviews have said they love it! So give it a try. l Just type in your student ID for your username and password for the following website: https: //www. tcaprep. com/php 2/login. php? sc hool_code=1628135692

Next Steps Practice for the SAT’s – use the online SAT Prep course www. bridges. com l Take the SAT’s in the Spring of your Junior Year (they may l be taken multiple times) l Most Colleges will take your highest combined score (they do not have to be on the same test date, you may mix and match) Research and Visit Colleges – Spring/Summer of junior year l Apply to college prior to Thanksgiving Break of your Senior year l Request your transcript be sent to the colleges you are applying to utilizing the proper forms in the counseling office l

What is the difference between the SAT and ACT? l The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities. l The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school (The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test ).

What is the SATII l The SAT II is a set of more than 20 different tests focusing on specific disciplines such as English, History and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Foreign Languages.

Which test(s) do I take? You are probably wondering, do I take the SAT, the SAT II or the ACT ?

ANSWER The SAT I, the general SAT, is accepted as an admissions requirement by almost all colleges and universities and is generally more popular with Eastern colleges than it is with Western schools.

Answer continued The ACT is accepted by most colleges and universities as an admission requirement and is generally more popular with colleges in the West than with those in the East.

Answer continued: Find out from the colleges and universities which exams they require. They provide this information on their application forms, in their promotional material, and on their websites.

Additional Help. . . l l l l We have the word of the day on the morning announcements. . . Keep your math notes and the end of the semester. . . especially for algebra 1, geometry, and algebra 2 Believe it or not, read a book Participate in Summer Reading Use the on-line MCPS resources Form a study group Keep your notes from all subjects in a labeled box at home for future reference Relax and have confidence, Wootton students do well. . . always have and always will. . .

The most important thing to Remember from this presentation. . . We are here to help you and we will be with you every step of the process. . . Use your PSAT score to look at your strengths and areas where you want to improve

The End!