Transcript Interpreting the PSAT - Albemarle County Public Schools

Erikka Goff
Director
Georgetown Learning Centers
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Answer frequently asked questions about the PSAT
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Interpret the score report
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Explore My College QuickStart
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To prepare for the SAT, which is one of the
factors used by universities and colleges to
determine who they accept.
PSAT scores are not for use by colleges as
part of their admission criteria.
To qualify for the National Merit Scholarship
program (11th-graders only)
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More than 3.5 million students
Mostly juniors
Over 23,000 high schools
Albemarle County pays for all 10th and 11th
graders to take the PSAT.
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The PSAT provides a standardized view of
scholastic skills in three basic areas
◦ Critical reading
◦ Mathematics problem-solving
◦ Writing skills
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Helps compare student performance to other
college-bound students nationwide
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Students receive one point for each correct
answer
For incorrect answers to multiple-choice
questions, ¼ of a point is deducted
Nothing is deducted for incorrect answers on
the student-produced response questions
The student’s score is reported on a scale of
20 to 80 for each section (Critical Reading,
Math and Writing)
Maximum total score of 240
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The average score for eleventh graders was
about:
◦ 48 in Critical Reading
◦ 48 in Mathematics
◦ 46 in Writing Skills
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The average score for tenth graders was
about:
◦ 43 in Critical Reading
◦ 43 in Mathematics
◦ 41 in Writing Skills
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On average, students scores as juniors
(compared to their scores as sophomores) are
3.3 points higher in critical reading, 4.0
points higher in math, and 3.3 points higher
in writing skills
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The PSAT is scored on a scale from 20 to 80
where the SAT is scored on a scale from 200
to 800
On average, juniors taking the PSAT in
October and the SAT the following spring
have SAT scores that are 17 points higher in
critical reading, 16 points higher in math, and
22 points higher in writing
Relatively low PSAT scores are followed by
larger average gains than are relatively high
PSAT scores
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PSAT questions are designed to be the same
type as those on the SAT.
The PSAT scale of 20 to 80 is comparable to
the SAT scale of 200 to 800.
Estimated SAT score ranges are included on
the student’s score report in My College
QuickStart
◦ Two times out of three, students earn SAT scores
within these ranges
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The SAT is a much longer test (3 hours and
45 minutes), compared to the PSAT (2 hours
and 10 minutes)
SAT Sections
PSAT Sections
Essay
No essay
3 Critical Reading
2 Critical Reading
3 Math
2 Math
2 Writing Skills
1 Writing Skills
1 Experimental
No Experimental
Total: 10 sections
Total: 5 sections
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Rigorous academic courses
Extensive, quality outside reading and/or
writing
Follow the advice in My SAT Study Plan in My
College QuickStart
Take a practice test and become more
familiar with test directions, types of
questions, and pacing
Handout: A Parent Tutorial for Understanding
2012 PSAT/NMSQT Results
1. Your Scores
2. Your Skills
3. Your Answers
4. National Merit Scholarship Corporation
Programs
5. Next Steps
6. Information about My College Quickstart
and Access Code
New in
2012!
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Eleventh-graders should register for the SAT
and possibly SAT Subject tests this spring at
www.collegeboard.org
SAT and SAT Subject Test Dates
2012-2013
March 9
May 4
June 1
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Another option to consider is the ACT Test.
Study!