Understanding PSAT Scores,SAT vs ACT, College &

Naviance StudentWednesday, January 22, 2020

Ms. Martin

School Counseling StaffCounselors:Mr. Hand: A-EMs. Nagy: F-HoMs. Martin: Hp-KiMr. Heflin Kj-RoMs. Boishin: Rp-Z

College and Career Information Coordinator:Ms. DeOto -Room 10

Registrar: Ms. Hornburg -Room 51

Secretary: Ms. Fedders

Understanding PSAT Results:

PSAT is a Practice for the SAT and is meant to indicate how a student might perform on the SAT.

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scores/understanding-scores

*480 on Reading and 530 on Math = “College Ready” according to Montgomery College

*PSAT “counts” in 11th grade as NMSQT (National Merit)

SAT vs. ACTSAT - 2 sections: Reading/Writing and Math, Essay optional. No penalty for wrong answers. Questions are evidence based and context based. Scores: 400-1600

ACT - 4 sections: English, Reading, Math and Science, Essay optional. No penalty for wrong answers. Questions are straightforward.Scores: 1-36

What do Colleges Look For?1. The Academic Record

■ The difficulty and variety of courses on your transcript

■ Cumulative GPA and Weighted GPA■ Special programs

2. Standardized Test Scores*MCPS paying for all 11th graders: SAT or ACT (or trade school equivalent)*1000+ colleges, including 330+ “top-tier,” are now test optional with certain GPA (www.fairtest.org)*See handout for differences/similarities between SAT & ACT

Test Preparation Programs■ PHS College Test Prep Semester Course■ SAT-The Khan Academy■ ACT online test preparation■ Private companies (at your own expense)

*Any prep is better than no prep!

■ Students can use Naviance to write a resume. (include activities, accomplishments, aspirations)

■ Complete Student Self-Evaluation to Counselors as part of clearance in 11th grade

■ Request teacher recommendations in June.■ 11th grade teachers recommended

Colleges also look at…

3. Counselor and Teacher Recommendations

4. Extracurricular Activities■ Clubs■ Athletics■ Work experience■ Internships■ Unique, meaningful, & character-building experiences*Colleges want to know about the IMPACT that students had inside and outside of the classroom.

5. Demonstrated interest

Some colleges look at demonstrated interest for acceptance, such as a college visit, emails, meeting with college representatives at school or in your area, etc. Students should research colleges to see if they consider demonstrated interest.

What should YOU look for in a college?

Where do you want to go?■ City or rural environment? ■ What part of the country or world?■ Where are the majors that interest

you?■ Size of school?

Where would you feel most comfortable?

• Visit colleges• Meet with the reps that visit PHS• Religious concerns?• Interested in diversity or an HBCU?• What extracurricular opportunities are

available?

Another big consideration...What is the cost?

■ Don’t rely only on sticker price as some colleges offer merit and need based aid.

■ Check on the graduation and retention rates■ Use the New York Times Loan Calculator:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/your-money/student-loan-repayment-calculator.html

■ Think about cost of an undergraduate degree as well as graduate degree

Does the college meet your needs?▪ Learning issues▪ Physical limitations▪ Check on available support programs

What are the chances for admission?

■ What does the college look for?■ Use Naviance as a guide.■ Reach for the stars, but be realistic

and honest with yourself.■ Include “target”, “reach” and “safety

schools” on your list*Important to do your homework!

Using the Naviance Scattergram

*Go to the PHS website→ Quick Links (left on homepage or all the way at the bottom on mobile) → click Naviance Student to sign-in*Save PHS website and Naviance home page to “favorites” or “bookmarks”*Please make sure your child has reset their Naviance password.

Using Naviance Student

Evaluation*On an index card, please write:

Side 1: One thing you learned or will take away from this presentation.Side 2: A question you still have or a suggestion for improvement. (If you want a response to a question, please indicate your name and email or phone number)

Thank you!