1 Prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT : A Step to the Future
What is the PSAT/NMSQT? Measures academic skills you ll need for college Co-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation Serves as an entry point to National Merit Scholarship Corporation competitions and practice for the SAT Approximately 3.8 million students participate each year (44% eleventh-graders and 56% tenth-graders or younger) 2
Benefits of the PSAT/NMSQT Preparation for the SAT Scholarship and recognition opportunities (11 th grade students only) College and career planning tools Admissions and financial aid information from colleges 3
Educated Guessing No Penalty for Guessing On the new PSAT/NMSQT you simply earn points for the questions you answer correctly. So go ahead and give your best answer to every question there s no advantage to leaving them blank. 4
What Skills are Tested on the PSAT/NMSQT? The test assesses the academic skills that you ve developed over the years, primarily through your course work. These skills are considered essential for success in high school and college: Reading and Writing Questions Writing and Language Questions Math Questions 5
Reading and Writing Questions - 47 multiple choice questions - 60 minutes of testing time 6
Writing and Language questions 44 passage based revising and editing questions to improve the text within a passage 35 minutes of testing time 7
Mathematics Questions - Total of 48 math questions - 40 Multiple Choice Questions - 8 Student Produced Response Questions ( Grid-ins ) 8
Mathematics Questions - No Calculators on 25 minutes of Math testing - Calculators on 45 minutes of Math testing 9
Answer all questions using the process of elimination No Penalty for Guessing On the new PSAT/NMSQT you simply earn points for the questions you answer correctly. So go ahead and give your best answer to every question there s no advantage to leaving them blank. 10
How does the PSAT/NMSQT compare to the SAT? Question Types: The same type of questions that are on the PSAT/NMSQT are on the SAT Length: The PSAT/NMSQT is 2 hours, 45 minutes. The SAT is 3 hours, 50 minutes. Level of Difficulty: The PSAT/NMSQT does not have 11 th grade-level math questions. 11
Calculators are Encouraged A scientific or graphing calculator is recommended. Bring a familiar calculator. Test day is not the time to figure out how to use a new calculator. 12
13 Test Preparation Strategies
Know How the PSAT/NMSQT Is Scored Multiple-choice questions: 1 point for each correct 0 point deducted for each incorrect Math grid-ins: 1 point for each correct 0 points for each incorrect 0 points for omitted questions Educated guessing is highly recommended!!! 14 Scale: 320 to 1520 Total Score range
Test Preparation: Long-Term READ! Continuous reading improves vocabulary and develops essential skills. Read more books than just those required for class. Take Challenging Courses! This will help you to develop and strengthen your critical thinking skills. 15
Test Preparation: Short-Term Take the practice test in the Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT. Understand educated guessing. Familiarize yourself with the test s format, questions types, and directions. 16
Test Preparation: Test Readiness Strategies When you sit down to take the test: Read all of the directions. Read all of each question s answer choices. Do scratch work in the test book. Work at a steady pace. If you skip a question: Note it in the test book. Leave it blank on the answer sheet. Return to it if there is time. Educated Guessing is recommended 17
Take the PSAT/NMSQT Test Day/Date: Wednesday, October 11 th, 2017 Time: Location: Starts at 7:40 a.m. Health Seminar Room, Drafting Related Room or Gymnasium Bring: Two #2 Pencils Calculator (optional, but strongly suggested) 18
PSAT/NMSQT Questions??? A Step to the Future 19