PSAT Exam

PSAT Exam2014-2015

1When? Where?When: Wednesday, October 15

Where: Olathe South

Cost: $16

2What Is the PSAT?Measures academic skills youll need for collegeCo-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC)Serves as an entry point to National Merit Scholarship Corporation competitions and practice for the SATApproximately 3.5 million students participate each year (44% eleventh-graders and 56% tenth-graders or younger)

3What Skills are Tested on PSAT?The test assesses the academic skills that youve 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

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Why Take The Test?Prepare for the SATCollege ReadinessScholarship and Recognition Opportunities (11th Graders)Feedback on Academic SkillsCollege and Career Planning ToolsAdmissions and Financial Aid Information from Colleges

Preparation for the SAT: Same question types, format, and testing conditions as the SAT.

Scholarship and recognition opportunities: Entry point for National Merit Scholarship Corporation programs (usually in 11th grade) and other scholarship and recognition opportunities, including the National Hispanic Recognition Program.

Feedback on academic skills: Personalized feedback on critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills, including specific suggestions for improvement.

College and career planning tools: Free access to My College QuickStart, an online tool that provides personalized information and interactive college and career planning resources.

Admissions and financial aid information: Students who say Yes to Student Search Service when they take the test will be eligible to receive free information from colleges and scholarship services.

5Critical Reading QuestionsUse content from:-humanities-social studies-natural sciences-literature

13 Sentence Completions

35 Passage-Based Reading Questions(100- to 800-word passages)

There are two 25-minute critical reading sections that contain a total of 48 questions.

6Mathematics QuestionsUse content from:

number and operationsalgebra and functions;geometry and measurementdata analysisstatisticsprobability

28 Multiple-Choice Questions

10 Student-Produced Response Questions (Grid-ins)

There are two 25-minute mathematics sections that contain a total of 38 questions.

7Writing Skills ContentFocus on editing, grammar, usage, and organization.

20 Improving Sentences Questions

14 Identifying Sentence Error Questions

5 Improving Paragraph Questions

8How is the PSAT Scored?Multiple-choice questions:1 point for each correct point deducted for each incorrect

Math grid-ins:1 point for each correct0 points for each incorrect

0 points for omitted questions

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preparation and resources:Please visit the College Board website for more information about the PSAT and for practice questions:www.collegeboard.org/psatskillswww.collegeboard.org/psat

10PSAT Student guideTake the practice test in the Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT.

Understand scoring and educated guessing.

Familiarize yourself with the tests format, questions types, and directions.

11What Should I bring on test day?No. 2 PencilApproved CalculatorSocial Security NumberStudent ID NumberEmail AddressCurrent and Valid school or government issued photo ID

12Take The PSATVisit www.TotalRegistration.net/PSAT/172222 to registerRegistration Began on 8/25 at 12:00 amRegistration Ends on 9/24 at 3:00 pmVisit http://schools.olatheschools.com/buildings/south/ to access the registration link

Please Contact Jean Busey, jbuseyos@olatheschools.org, if you have any further questions.

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