UNDERSTANDING THE OCTOBER 2015 PSAT SCORE REPORT Counselors

UNDERSTANDING THE OCTOBER 2015 PSAT SCORE REPORT Counselors for Class of 2017 Mr. Tom Hill (A-K) Mrs. Michele Mc. Groggan (L-Z) Counselors for Class of 2018 Mrs. Taryn Barrett (A-K) Mrs. Laura Ladley- (L-Z)

PSAT SCORE REPORTS *PSAT Score Reports and Test Books were distributed yesterday during Titan Forum. Students who were absent received their packets today. *Students watched a tutorial about how to read their score reports. *There are some changes with PSAT and SAT since last year with regards to scoring and content. -Junior counselors discussed these changes during sessions last Spring and at November evening presentation. -This PSAT was based on the NEW SAT. Sophomores never encountered the old version. Video: How to Interpret your PSAT Score Report

GENERAL TALKING POINTS *Create a College Board Account at www. collegeboard. org to view PSAT results online, access Khan Academy, AND to register for upcoming SATs. *Utilize the individualized score report analysis for a specific break-down of each section and question on the test, Khan Academy for further review. *Scores are now on a 760 scale (per section) for PSATs and 800 (per section) for the SATs. Take note of scales when reviewing scores. *Focus on percentiles rather than scaled scores to compare score to gradeequivalent peers across the nation. *Focus on SKILLS that are broken down in the Your Scores: Next Steps section. *PSAT is JUST PRACTICE!!

TALKING POINTS FOR SOPHOMORES *Understand where student is in curriculum (math)- some students did not have Geometry or Algebra 2 at test time. *Take PSAT again October of Junior Year. Only ONCE per year. *SAT Preparation (FREE resources) Online Khan Academy through College Board SAT Prep classes as electives E-Prep through Central Bucks *PSAT offered on a Saturday in Central Bucks next year!

TALKING POINTS FOR JUNIORS *Remaining test dates at SOUTH: -ACT in April -SAT in March, May, & June *SAT offered in Fall of Senior Year at South *NMSQT: National Merit qualifiers are notified in fall of senior year *Use resources such as E-Prep, Kahn Academy, other online resources *Upcoming evening session for juniors and their parents on Tuesday April 19 th -Powerpoint from February 2 nd evening session posted on Guidance webpage