Students in grades 9-11 will take the PSAT on October 16 th

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2 WHAT IS THE PSAT/NMSQT? The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT. It also provides an opportunity to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools. Students in grades 9-11 will take the PSAT on October 16 th

3 WHAT DOES THE PSAT/NMSQT MEASURE? Like the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT measures: Critical reading skills Math problem-solving skills Writing skills You have developed these skills over many years, both in and out of school. This test doesn't require you to recall specific facts from your classes, although you will soon learn that in addition to the skills you have already, there are additional ways to prepare in general

5 PSAT FORMATTING The PSAT/NMSQT measures skills in three areas and includes five sections: I. Critical Reading: Two 25-minute critical reading sections 48 questions (13 sentence completions & 35 critical reading questions) II. Math: Two 25-minute math sections 38 questions (28 multiple choice & 10 Student-produced responses) III. One 30-minute writing section: 39 questions (14 identifying sentence errors, 20 improving sentences, & 5 improving paragraph questions) In general, you have developed these skills over many years, both in and out of school. This test doesn't require you to recall specific facts from your classes, although you will soon learn that in addition to the skills you have already, there are additional ways to prepare in general

6 WHAT WILL THESE AREAS MEASURE? A. Critical Reading Sentence Completion questions will measure your knowledge of the meanings of words and ability to understand how the different parts of a sentence logically fit together Passage-Based Reading questions measure your ability to read and think carefully about a single reading passage or a pair of related passages B. Math The math section of the PSAT/NMSQT requires a basic knowledge of number and operation; algebra and functions; geometry and measurement; and data analysis, statistics, and probability Multiple Choice questions ask you to decide which is the best of the five choices given, while grid-ins, or student-produced response questions, require you to solve a problem and enter your answer C. Writing Skills The multiple-choice questions on writing skills measure your ability to express ideas effectively in standard-written English, to recognize faults in usage and structure, and to use language with sensitivity to meaning Identifying Sentence Errors questions test your knowledge of grammar, usage, word choice, and idiom. Improving Sentences questions ask you to choose the best, most effective form of an underlined portion of a given sentence & Improving Paragraphs questions require you to make choices about improving the logic, coherence, or organization in a flawed passage

7 PSAT SCORING PSAT/NMSQT scores are reported on a scale of 20 to 80, whereas the SAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 800 In 2011, the average score for eleventh graders was 48 in Critical Reading, 49 in Mathematics, and 46 in Writing Skills The average score for tenth graders was 43 in Critical Reading, 43 in Mathematics, and 41 in Writing Skills **Your goal should be to score above average in all areas** ***Striving for a 50 or better in each of the three areas is ideal***

9 LONG-TERM PREPARATION Although the coursework you have completed to date is your foundation for doing well on the PSAT, below are a few long range preparation goals to note for success on this and other exams: Take a good selection of solid academic courses, read widely, and work hard at your studies. Enroll in the most challenging courses you can handle in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Languages, and Fine Arts. Get involved in problem-solving activities through clubs, sports, hobbies, part-time jobs, etc.

10 SHORT-TERM APPROACHES AND STRATEGIES Take the practice test in the Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT Learn the directions for each type of math and critical reading question Earn as many points as you can on easy questions Read all the answer choices before marking your answer sheet Do your scratch work in the test book Don't feel you have to answer every question Work steadily -- don't waste time on hard questions since you can go back Take a properly functioning calculator Check your answer sheet regularly to make sure you're in the right place Write your answers to grid-ins in the boxes above the ovals Try educated guessing when you can eliminate at least one answer to a multiple-choice question (see next slide for additional information)

11 EDUCATED GUESSING VS. RANDOM GUESSING *It is important to know the strategies suggested or recommended for each kind of test. Because you do not gain or lose points for omitting an answer on the SAT/PSAT, you should know the difference between educated vs. random guessing Educated guessing means you are able to eliminate one or more of the answer choices as definitely wrong. Educated guessing may help you when you are able to narrow the list of possible correct answers from 4 or 5 to 2 or 3 Complete random guessing probably won't help you because of the way the SAT/PSAT is scored. With random guessing, you have no idea which answer choice is correct. In this instance, it is best to omit this question

12 *Test Taking Tip/Reminder* Since there is no gain or loss in points for omitted questions, an above-average score can be earned by correctly answering only half of all questions (and omitting the remaining questions) See actual example below: Example- On the Tuesday test in 1999, for example, students who answered 26 of the 52 critical reading questions correctly and omitted the others earned a score of 51 Accordingly, because you lose a fraction of a point for questions you get wrong, answering questions incorrectly means you would need a slightly higher number of correct answers than the numbers above to earn a higher score

14 WHY SHOULD I TAKE THE PSAT? The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are to: Receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses as it relates to skills necessary for college study so that you can then focus your preparation on the areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice See how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college Help prepare for the SAT by becoming familiar with the format and directions you will see on the SAT Receive information from colleges by checking "yes" to Student Search Service. *Please note that PSAT scores are a factor for consideration when requesting AP courses here at Grady. It pays to do well.

15 NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION Consideration for entry into the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Competition/Program is yet another MAJOR reason to perform well Students in the eleventh grade of high school enter NMSC competitions by taking the PSAT/NMSQT, which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year, and by meeting published program entry and/or participation requirements NMSC uses the Selection Index score (the sum of the critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills scores) on the PSAT/NMSQT as an initial screen of program entrants and to designate groups of students to be honored in the competitions it conducts For additional information about the National Merit Scholarship Competition, visit

16 Now that you have Reviewed the PSAT in general Reviewed the PSAT format and suggested approaches Reviewed reasons why you should take the test Reviewed reasons why you should do well on the test IT IS TIME TO PERFORM!!! #1 - USE THIS WEEKEND AND NEXT WEEKEND TO REVIEW YOUR STUDENT STUDY GUIDE #2- COME TO SCHOOL PREPARED, RESTED, AND READY * REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DO YOUR ABSOLUTE BEST *

17 ON TEST DAY, PLEASE BE SURE TO BRING THE FOLLOWING: Calculator (recommended but not required) Two #2 pencils A pencil sharpener A positive attitude and alert mind

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