Preparing for the PSAT, SAT, ACT & more!
Important Tests
Take them seriously, do your best, & know what to
expect!
• PSAT/NMSQT®?
• SAT w Writing
• SAT Subject Tests
• ACT w Writing
• AP Exams
• CAASPP for State of California
• English & Math Placement Tests at
a community college or university 2
What Is the PSAT/NMSQT?
It’s a test practice for the SAT. If you take it, you get free
individualized SAT prep through Khan Academy. Your
junior year PSAT scores can qualify you for scholarship
programs such as the National Merit® Scholarship, which
can help cover the cost of tuition and get you into a great
college.
What to know about the PSAT/NMSQT
Test length: 2 hours 45 minutes
No penalty for guessing or blank responses,
also known as “rights-only scoring”
Personalized SAT practice through
Khan Academy® with students' own
PSAT/NMSQT scores
Scale ranges for the scores are
320–1520 for the total score
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Benefits of thePSAT/NMSQT
Personalized SAT practice on Khan Academy
based on students' PSAT/NMSQT answers
Aligned to the SAT
Increased access to additional
scholarship providers
Online college and career planning tools
Admission and financial aid information
from colleges
Majors and career exploration with
College Board and Roadtrip Nation
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How Does the PSAT/NMSQT Connect to the SAT?
The score students get on the PSAT/NMSQT is the same score they would have gotten on the SAT if they’d taken it on the same day.
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PSAT/NMSQT 2018 Test Dates
OCT
10
Hoover Test Date
Free for 10th & 11th
graders
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Pre-ID has to be done before the test.
Date, Time, & Location to be announced
Skills Tested • Reading Test5 Passages
47 Passage-Based Questions; 60 minutes
• Writing and Language Test4 Passages44 Passage-Based Questions;
35 minutes
• Math Test2 Test Sections; 70 minutes
48 Questions (40 multiple choice, 8 grid-ins)
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• Most of the questions are multiple choice.
• Some passages are paired with other passages or informational graphics such as charts, graphs, and tables.
• No mathematical computation is required for the reading/writing portions.
• Most math questions will be multiple choice, but some will be student-produced responses (grid-ins).
• The Math Test is divided into two portions:
Math Test – Calculator and Math Test – No Calculator.
• A scientific or graphing calculator is recommended.
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Quick Facts
MathSection
Student-Produced Responses
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How Does the PSAT/NMSQT Compare to the SAT?
PSAT/NMSQT
2 hours
45 minutes
X
160—760
Time
Essay
Section Score Range
SAT
3 hours
50 minutes
Optional
200—800
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SAT • Generally, students take the SAT for the first time in spring of their junior year. They usually test a second time in summer or fall of senior year.
• December of senior year is the last test date colleges will accept scores.
• Early Decision/Early Action have earlier due dates. Check with each individual college.
• Make time to practice. Visit collegeboard.org.
• Visit each college website to find out the average SAT/ACT scores for admission.
• Didn’t reach your goal the 1st time? 67% of students improve their score the second time.
• Like PSAT, No Penalty for Guessing 12
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SAT Quick Facts
SAT with Writing March 9 (Reg. by 2/8) May 4 (Reg. by 4/5)
June 1 (Register by 5/3)
ACT with Writing Feb. 9 (Reg. by 1/11) April 13 (Reg. by 3/8)June 8 (Reg. by 5/3) & July 13 (Reg. by 6/14)
SAT Subject Tests
• There are 20 SAT Subject Tests in five general subject areas: English, history, languages, mathematics and science.
• Each Subject Test is an hour long. They are all multiple-choice and scored on a 200–800 scale.
• Some schools require them for specific majors, it shows your strength in a specific area.
• Check college websites to see which subject tests are required if any and the deadline.
• You can take 1-3 subject tests at a time.
• For math, UC’s require Math Level 2.
• Subject tests scores can be used to meet the a-g subject matter by examination. 15
SAT Subject Tests • Spanish
• Spanish with Listening
• French
• French with Listening
• Chinese with Listening
• Italian
• German
• German with Listening
• Modern Hebrew
• Latin
• Japanese with Listening
• Korean with Listening
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Biology E/M
Chemistry
Physics
U.S. History
World History
Math Level 1
Math Level 2
English Literature
• Eligibility Requirements, if you say yes to one:
1. Receive free/reduced lunch
2. Meet the annual family income guidelines
3. Your family receives public assistance
4. You live in federal subsidized housing
5. You are a foster youth or homeless
• Pick up a verification form from the counseling office, your parent must sign
• If you are eligible, you will get the waiver online code
• You get 2 SAT waivers in 11-12th grade
• You get 2 SAT subject test waivers in 9-12th grade
• Once you register on your CollegeBoard account to use a fee waiver, it will keep track of the remaining ones
• Eligible for college application fee waivers 17
College Fee Waivers
You may qualify to have many college fees
waived.
AP Exams • AP Exams are from May 8 to May 17
• Take the AP exams.
• You potentially can earn college credit, save money and time.
• Your scores are not a determining factor in the admission process. 18
Take Core Classes
ACT recommends:
• 4 years of English
• 3 years of Math (Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II) minimum
• 3 years of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science/Space, Physics) minimum
• 3 years of Social Studies
How can
students prepare for
the ACT?
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The ACT Features
Test Score Scales
• English 1-36
– Usage and Mechanics
– Rhetorical Skills
• Mathematics 1-36
– Pre-Algebra/ Elem Algebra– Interm Algebra/Coord Geometry
– Plane Geometry/Trig
• Reading 1-36
– Social Studies/Sciences– Arts/Literature
• Science 1-36
Composite Score 1-36
Average of four test scores (No writing)
The ACT Plus WritingCombined English and WritingWriting Test subscore 2-12
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ACT Writing Test
• 1 writing prompt, 30 minutes
• Measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses
• UC’s require the writing, some Cal States do as well
The ACT Features
How do I
know if
I’m
college
ready?
English
of 2016 ACT-tested high schools graduated met the ACT English benchmark
Reading
of 2016 ACT-tested high schools graduated met the ACT Reading benchmark
Mathematics
of 2016 ACT-tested high schools graduated met the ACT Math benchmark
Science
of 2016 ACT-tested high schools graduated met the ACT Science benchmark
When should I take the test? It depends on the time you need to practice based on your PSAT or the first time scores for the SAT/ACT. Generally you take the test in spring of your junior year and a second time in the summer or fall of senior year.
Which test should I take? Take both. Depends on the average scores of your top-choice colleges. See which test you want to take at least twice.
Hoover will offer Free SAT prep classes in the spring.
Login or create your CollegeBoard and ACT account today.
SAT
or
ACT
of students* saw an increase in their score after they retested.
*2015 ACT tested students
Is
retesting
worth it?
YES!!!!!
It can help you get into a college
29
It gives you information on careers
Scores can lead to scholarship and financial aid opportunities.
Resources Collegeboard.org
ACT.org
Example of Resources
For general information about the PSAT/NMSQT, please visit:
collegeboard.org/psat
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ResourcesFor personalized resources aligned to the SAT Suite of Assessments (including the PSAT/NMSQT), please visit:
satpractice.org
Take the practice test in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide, available through your counselor or at:
collegeboard.org/psatpractice
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PSATReminder
How to Sign Up:
Test Day/Date:
Time:
Location:
Free for grades 10-11Just Show up
Wednesday, Oct. 10
TBD
TBD
Make sure you bring:
• Two No. 2 pencils
• Calculator
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CAASPP • California Test
• Cal States & community colleges will use your scores to:
1. Exempt you from taking the English and Math placement exams
2. If your scores show you are college level ready, you will go straight into English 101, Math 101, etc.
3. You will save money and time
• Hoover will receive recognition in meeting benchmarks for the state
• It gives more value to your school34