PSAT/NMSQT

Hutto High School

PSAT/NMSQT

Test Day/Date: Wednesday, October 14

Time: 8:30 – 12:00

Location: Friday, Oct 9 – Look for rosters in the main areas

Bring:

• Two #2 Pencils• Calculator • E-mail address

• Skills Tested on the PSAT/NMSQT

• Sample PSAT/NMSQT Questions

• Scoring the PSAT/NMSQT

• Test Preparation Strategies

Prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT®: A Step to the Future

• 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 & other scholarship competitions and practice for the SAT

What is the PSAT/NMSQT?

• Preparation for the SAT®

• Scholarship and recognition opportunities (11th grade)

• College and career planning tools

• Admissions and financial aid information from colleges

• Feedback on academic skills

Benefits of 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:

• Critical Reading

• Mathematics

• Writing Skills

What Skills are tested on the PSAT/NMSQT?

TIMED TEST

All Reading Test questions are multiple choice and based on passages.

Some passages are paired with other passages.

Informational graphics, such as tables, graphs, and charts, accompany some passages — but no math is required.

Prior topic-specific knowledge is never tested.

The Reading Test is part of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section.

Evidence Based Reading Questions

TIMED TEST

All questions are multiple choice and based on passages.

Read, find mistakes or weaknesses and fix them.

Prior topic knowledge is never tested.

The Writing and Language Test is part of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section

Writing & Language Test

TIMED TEST

Most math questions will be multiple choice, but some — called grid-ins — ask you to come up with the answer rather than select the answer.

The Math Test is divided into two portions: Math Test – Calculator and Math Test – No Calculator.

Some parts of the test include several questions about a single scenario

Mathematics Test

• Question Types:The same, except the PSAT/NMSQT does not have an essay component.

• Length:The PSAT/NMSQT is 2 hours, 50 minutes.The SAT is 3 hours, 45 minutes.

• Level of Difficulty:The PSAT/NMSQT does not have 11th grade-level math questions.

How does the PSAT/NMSQTcompare to the SAT?

Sample Questions

• Multiply each member of the equation by 12 (the common denominator) to get 3h + 4 = 10h

• Subtract 3h from both sides to get 7h = 4

• Divide by 7

• h = 4/7.

Ifh4

13

5h 6+ = , then what is the value of h?

Math Section: Student-Produced Response

Know the Student-Produced Response Directions!The correct answer must be gridded correctly to receive credit.

What is written in the boxes cannot be scored.

4 / 7

Math Section: Student-Produced Response Sample Grids

$1.75 2 ⅓ 0.444… 20%

1 . 7 5 7 / 3 . 4 4 4 2.

A scientific or graphing calculator is recommended.

Bring a familiar calculator. Test day is not the timeto figure out how to use a new calculator.

Calculators are Encouraged

Scale:

• 200 – 800 for each SAT section• 160 – 760 on PSAT Reading and Math

Averages:

• 11th Graders: 470-500• 10th Graders: 430-460• Younger Students: 380-420

How is the PSAT/NMSQT Scored?

PSAT/NMSQT Details Score Range

Total score Sum of the two section scores.

320–1520

Section scores (2)

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math.

160–760

Test scores (3) Reading, Writing and Language, and Math.

8–38

Cross-test scores (2)

Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science.

8–38

Subscores (7) Reading and Writing and Language

1-15

The PSAT/NMSQT Score Report:

• contains information to help you improve your academic skills.

• lists skills that you have the best chance of improving with additional work.

• includes advice, written by teachers, on how to improve those skills.

Personalized Skills Information

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.

Test Preparation: Long-Term

KHANACADEMY.ORG/SAT

SATPRACTICE.ORG

Both the same site. Khan Academy is free. It gives you 4 complete SAT Redesigned test. It gives you a prescribed review of your test.

Test Preparation: Long-Term

Test Preparation: Short-Term

• Take the practice test [TIME YOURSELF] in the Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT.

• Understand scoring!

• Familiarize yourself with the test’s format, questions types, and directions.

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…….REMEMBER IT’S TIMED!

• Remember: Go ahead and give your best answer to every question — there’s no advantage to leaving them blank.

To learn more, visit www.collegeboard.org.

PSAT/NMSQT

Test Day/Date: Wednesday, October 14

Time: 8:30 – 12:00

Location: Friday, Oct 9 – Look for rosters in the main areas

Bring:

• Two #2 Pencils• Calculator • E-mail address

PSAT/NMSQT Parent Night

PARENT NIGHT

Day/Date: Monday, October 5

Time: 6:30

Location: PAC – Performing Arts Center