PSAT Score Interpretation October 2012 Test Results and
Interpretation January 15 2013
Slide 3
PSAT/NMSQT Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship
Qualifying Test It provides 1 st hand practice for : New SAT Chance
to qualify for NMSC scholarship programs (Juniors Only)
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REASONS FOR TAKING Receive information on strengths/weaknesses
Can serve as an indicator of the students readiness of college
level work Comparison to others applying to college Enter
competition for scholarships Prepare for SAT Exams Receive
information from Colleges
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HOW THE TEST IS SCORED For correct answers students received 1
full point For each unanswered question students received 0 points
For each incorrect answer to multiple choice test questions
students lose 1/4 of a point The points earned in each section are
converted to scores on the PSAT/NMSQT scale of 20-80
Slide 6
WHAT IS ON THE SCORE REPORT Three different scores on the 20-80
scale one each for critical reading, math, & writing (add all
three scores together to get your selection index) Percentiles
allow the students to compare their scores with those of others
applying to college (Juniors are compared to other juniors,
sophomores and younger are compared to other sophomores) E.g. A
student with a percentile of 53 has earned a score better than 53
out of every 100 college bound students who took the test
Information on where you need improvement & how to improve your
scores
Slide 7
PSAT COMPARED TO SAT To convert a PSAT score to an SAT score,
simply add a ZERO to the PSAT score The SAT is on a 200-800 scale
compared to the 20-80 scale of the PSAT E.g. A PSAT score of 56 is
similar to an SAT score of 560 Add all three scores together after
adding a ZERO to the end to get a similar complete SAT score
Slide 8
Sample Score Report & Website Explanations
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profd
ownload/sample-psat-nmsqt-student-score- report.pdf
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profd
ownload/sample-psat-nmsqt-student-score- report.pdf
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testin g/psat/quickstart.html
Enter your student specific code located at the bottom right of
your PSAT/NMSQT paper score report
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testin
g/psat/quickstart.html
Slide 9
MCPS has a free SAT prep available on the website. Student
reviews have said they love it! So give it a try. Just type in your
student ID for your username and password for the following
website: https://www.tcaprep.com/php2/login.php?sc
hool_code=1628135692 https://www.tcaprep.com/php2/login.php?sc
hool_code=1628135692 Check This Out...
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Next Steps Practice for the SATs use the online SAT Prep course
www.bridges.com Take the SATs in the Spring of your Junior Year
(they may be taken multiple times) Most Colleges will take your
highest combined score (they do not have to be on the same test
date, you may mix and match) Research and Visit Colleges
Spring/Summer of junior year Apply to college prior to Thanksgiving
Break of your Senior year Request your transcript be sent to the
colleges you are applying to utilizing the proper forms in the
counseling office
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What is the difference between the SAT and ACT? The SAT is more
of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities. The
ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in
school (The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics,
Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test ).
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What is the SATII The SAT II is a set of more than 20 different
tests focusing on specific disciplines such as English, History and
Social Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Foreign
Languages.
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Which test(s) do I take? You are probably wondering, do I take
the SAT, the SAT II or the ACT ?
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ANSWER The SAT I, the general SAT, is accepted as an admissions
requirement by almost all colleges and universities and is
generally more popular with Eastern colleges than it is with
Western schools.
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Answer continued The ACT is accepted by most colleges and
universities as an admission requirement and is generally more
popular with colleges in the West than with those in the East.
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Answer continued: Find out from the colleges and universities
which exams they require. They provide this information on their
application forms, in their promotional material, and on their
websites.
Slide 17
Additional Help... We have the word of the day on the morning
announcements... Keep your math notes and the end of the
semester...especially for algebra 1, geometry, and algebra 2
Believe it or not, read a book Participate in Summer Reading Use
the on-line MCPS resources Form a study group Keep your notes from
all subjects in a labeled box at home for future reference Relax
and have confidence, Wootton students do well...always have and
always will...
Slide 18
The most important thing to Remember from this presentation...
We are here to help you and we will be with you every step of the
process... Use your PSAT score to look at your strengths and areas
where you want to improve