+ The Redesigned PSAT and SAT Rowlett High School 2015-2016
+ College Readiness Assessments in GISD PSAT 8 Practice for the PSAT/NMSQT Identifies students for AP classes (Oct. 13-16) PSAT/NMSQT 8 th grade 10 th grade = Superintendent s Scholars 11 th grade = National Merit Scholarships and recognitions Identifies students for AP classes (Oct. 14) PSAT 9 Practice for the PSAT/NMSQT Identifies students for AP classes (Oct. 13-16) SAT Scholarships College admission Avoid taking developmental classes (March 2) 9 th grade 11 th grade
+ Benefits Of doing well on the PSAT Show me the $$$$$ College Admissions Connect to Colleges
+ Benefits of PSAT Inspires productive practice Helps students build skills over time Opens doors to college Equips students with free practice on KHAN Academy (online PSAT/SAT resource..more info on this later) Connects students to scholarship opportunities Increases access to AP and college credit
+ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) 11 th graders $180 million in increased scholarships connections United Negro College Fund Hispanic Scholarship Fund Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund American Indian Graduate Center
+ Old vs New PSAT 2014 PSAT 2015 PSAT 3 sections Math Critical reading Writing skills Total score = 60-240 3 section scores Each section worth 20-80 2 hours, 10 minutes ¼ point deduction for incorrect answers 2 sections Math Evidence-based reading and writing Total score = 320-1520 2 section scores Each section worth 160-760 2 hours, 45 minutes No penalty for incorrect answers
+ Old vs New PSAT The 2014 PSAT The 2015 PSAT Time Allotted Number of Questions Time Allotted Number of Questions Math 50 38 Math 70 48 Reading 50 48 Reading 60 47 Writing 30 39 Writing 35 44 TOTAL 130 125 TOTAL 165 139
+ Quiz Time! What is the biggest difference between the old and redesigned PSAT? sections have changed, scoring is more like the SAT, and no penalty for wrong answers What is the difference between PSAT and STAAR/EOC? STAAR is a state exam that measures mastery of content PSAT is a national reasoning exam that measures critical thinking skills and compares all testers against one another (national percentile rank) How long do students have per question on PSAT? 139 questions and only 165 minutes approximately 1 minute per question What do you do if you are running out of time and have 10 questions left to answer? Start bubbling like a fiend!!!
+Test Taking Strategies When you sit down to take the test: Read all of the directions. Read all answer choices. Do scratch work in the test book. Monitor your time!!! Work at a steady pace- If you can t narrow the answer choices to two, come back to the question later. Focus on easy and medium level questions Your score is calculated based on the number of correct answers not on the level of difficulty of the question.
+ Answer all questions!!!!! No penalty for wrong answers Go back and make sure all questions are answered before time runs out
+ Official SAT Practice https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
+ KHAN Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org/sat) Get to know the redesigned SAT and PSAT Use student access code on PSAT report for personalized practice! Stay on top of important SAT dates and news Practice anytime, anywhere, at no cost!
+ KHAN Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org/sat) Practice tests and more 4 official full-length practice tests Plus study and test-taking tips Short quizzes 8 diagnostic practices Pinpoint your areas for practice Interactive practice Thousands of practices questions Video lessons Hints Instant feedback Get constant feedback and progress Know where you stand
+ Khan Academy Practice
+ Again, our PSAT test date at RHS for grades 9-11 will be October 14 8 th grade test dates will be determined by the Middle School(s) GISD will administer districtwide SAT test to juniors on March 2, 2016
+ Summarizing RHS activities to improve College/Career Readiness: Six sections of formal CCR course ongoing PSAT/SAT Boot Camps forming soon Linkage of PSAT/SAT into classroom environments (more timed exercises, essay practice, passage-based work) Educating our student base on impacts of SAT scores on college admission, financial aid, etc. Research on college/military/workforce opportunities after graduation Partnering with Cambridge/Princeton Review