PSAT/NMSQT Score Back Explanation Broad Run High School 01/16/2014

Transcription

1 PSAT/NMSQT Score Back Explanation Broad Run High School 01/16/2014

2 PSAT The Facts Preliminary SAT Measures college preparedness, using critical reading and writing skills Used for college planning Qualifying test for National Merit Program Juniors only! Opt in choice to receive information from colleges based on your profile Ideas for improving skills to enhance current learning and success in college

3 PSAT Facts Continued When: In 2014, your High School may administer the PSAT/NMSQT on Wednesday, October 15th, 2014 or Saturday, October 18th, Check with your school for exact date. Length: 2 hours and 10 min. Content: Two 25-min. Critical Reading sections Two 25-min. Math sections One 30-min. Writing section Scoring: Each section is scored on a 20- to 80-point scale Rule of Thumb: add a 0 to get your projected SAT score!

4 Understanding Your CollegeBoard PSAT Results 4 Major Parts of Your PSAT Score Report Your Scores Your Skills Your Answers Next Steps

5 Your Scores You can see your projected SAT score online in My College QuickStart( Score Range (46-54): PSAT/NMSQT scores are reported on a scale of 20 to 80. Ranges give you another way to think about your scores. They show how much your scores would likely vary if you took the PSAT/NMSQT a number of times. Percentile If you are a junior, your scores are compared to those of other juniors. If you are a sophomore or younger student, your scores are compared to those of sophomores.

6 Your Skills View areas of strengths or weaknesses to be enhanced or remediated. You can try hundreds of practice questions, organized by skill, online in My College QuickStart (

7 Your Answers Be able to view your answers, omissions, correct answers, incorrect answers You can also review each test question in My College QuickStart. This section contains the number, correct answer, your answer, and level of difficulty are displayed for every question on the test.

8 Your Answers (Continued): Student-Produced Responses Some of the math problems required you to grid in answers instead of selecting an option. For these questions, you will see the correct answer(s) written out.

9 What is the National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP) and why is it important to you? What is the NMSP? A program that is co-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. If a student meets the minimum National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test score cutoff, and meets the minimum grade point average requirement, they may be eligible to enter into other recognition programs such as, The National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP).

10 National Merit Scholarship Corporation Information The Selection Index is the sum of your critical reading, mathematics and writing skills scores. If it has an asterisk, you do not meet all of the eligibility requirements for the competition. The Percentile compares your performance to that of other college-bound juniors. The Entry Requirements section displays information you provided on your answer sheet.

11 Next Steps

12 Timeline for Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors Freshmen Make a plan to get a four-year degree by speaking to your counselors. Advanced degree options include: 1. Associates Degree (AA): A degree granted by a two-year college in particular course of study. 2. Bachelors Degree (BA or BS):This is an academic degree granted for an undergraduate course or major that lasts for four years. Learn about the SAT and ACT Get to know the SAT Subject Tests -Some colleges require or recommend that you take SAT Subject Tests. It will give you a stronger application because it demonstrates the knowledge you ve gained.

13 Timeline for Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors (Continued) Sophomores Speak to counselors about how you can enroll for the PSAT. Your junior year, this will double as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test or NMSQT. - Highly suggested in your Junior year but encouraged in Sophomore year. Anticipate junior year SAT/ ACT tests - Junior year is when most students take the SAT/ACT for the first time. Start a college search - By starting to think about what schools you are interested in, you can start to plan on how to achieve the SAT scores and/or ACTs scores particular schools are looking for. Learn about the SAT Subject Tests - There may be some tests you can take and get out of the way at the end of your Freshmen year depending on the courses you decide to take your Freshmen year.

14 Timeline for Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors (Continued) Juniors Strive for the most competitive GPA and take a challenging course load. Colleges view extracurricular commitments favorably- quality over quantity. Take the PSAT (October) because this is the year it REALLY counts. Begin narrowing down your choices of colleges. Start your SAT and ACT Preparation as early as the summer before your Junior Fall semester and by the latest your Junior Spring semester. Register for your SATs and ACTs- avoid late fees and have the opportunity to choose your testing location early.

15 Timeline for Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors (Continued) Seniors Finalize the list of schools to which you are applying. If you haven t already, take the SAT and/or ACT by October. Many colleges will require these scores to apply. Complete college applications early check deadlines; many are sooner than you think. Search, complete and follow-up on applications for Financial Aid: Scholarships Provided by school, community or businesses Usually a one-time award that does not need to be paid back Grants Government programs administered by colleges providing funds for students based on FAFSA Does not need to be paid back Loans Borrowed money that needs to be paid back Borrowed from the Government or Private Banks Make your final decision MAY 1 st.

16 The Catalyst Approach Dedicated to changing the way students experience the process of taking tests and applying to college. Curriculum developers take the actual tests multiple times per year to make sure that our strategies accurately reflect the exam. Catalyst-produced curriculum materials in conjunction with actual College Board SAT and ACT practice exams. Go-to strategies for every question students will encounter on the day of the test.

17 Catalyst s Preparation Programs SAT or ACT Bootcamp One weekend (two 4-hour days) covering the full breadth of the exam Hosted at your school the weekend before the official exam $ Targeted Prep Four, 90-minute lessons, in-home One on one Covers one subject area of the exam $ Prep With A Friend Ten, 90 minute in-home lessons Enables two (or three) academicallycompatible students to pair up for inhome SAT or ACT lessons $ per student Individual Prep Ten, 90-minute lessons, in-home One on one, with expert tutor $

18 SAT Bootcamp at Broad Run High School! Location: Broad Run High School Time: Saturday, March 1 st & Sunday, March 2 nd from 1am-5pm. Students attend both days. Cost: Just $165 for the entire weekend course and prep materials! To enroll, visit or call

19 Questions?