PSAT Scores Now What? John Cashin SAT/ACT Instructor 1
Today You ll Learn Five Super Important Things 1. What the heck your PSAT score really means 2. How to say YES to the right test: SAT, ACT, New SAT We ll help you figure it out 3. How to get a great score no matter what test you take 4. Where your score can take you 5. What colleges really look for (Hint: It s not just your score) 2
3 4 Major Parts of Your PSAT/NMSQT Results Your Scores Your Skills Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results Your Answers Next Steps 3 Test Sections Critical Reading Mathematics Writing Skills
4 Your Scores Score You can see your projected SAT score online in My College QuickStart (www.collegeboard.com/quickstart). Score Range Percentile If you are a junior, your scores are compared to those of other juniors. If you are a sophomore or younger student, your scores are compared to those of sophomores.
PSAT and SAT How can you use your PSAT score to predict how you would perform on the SAT without any additional preparation? Simply add a zero to each of your PSAT scores. CRITICAL READING PSAT SCORE 52 MATH 51 WRITING SKILLS 53 TOTAL 156 SAT SCORE 520 510 530 1560 5
6 National Merit Scholarship Corporation Information The Selection Index is the sum of your critical reading, mathematics and writing skills scores. If it has an asterisk, you do not meet all of the eligibility requirements for the competition. The Percentile compares your performance to that of other college-bound juniors. The Entry Requirements section displays information yo provided on your answer sheet.
What can the PSAT tell you? 154 or higher 144 or lower Between 144-153? Take current SAT if writing is your highest sub-score. 7
8 Your Skills See how you did on each skill. The same skills are tested on the SAT. You can try hundreds of practice questions, organized by skill, online in My College QuickStart (www.collegeboard.com/quickstart).
9 Your Answers You will get your test book back with your PSAT/NMSQT results, so that you can review the questions. You can also review each test question in My College QuickStart.
10 Your Answers: Student-Produced Responses Some of the math problems required you to grid in answers instead of selecting an option. For these questions, you will see the correct answer(s) written out.
Other useful info: Next Steps Use the access code on your report to log in to My College QuickStart, a personalized college and career planning kit. There you can: Search for colleges Get a personalized SAT study plan Take a personality test to find majors and careers that fit you www.collegeboard.com/quickstart
National Merit Scholarship Awarded to the top 1% of students Automatically entered if you meet the criteria Other criteria considered such a grades and official SAT scores The numbers change by state, but if your SI is 220 or higher, you are usually in the running (DC is closer to 230) to make semi-finalist 12
Say Yes to the Right Test Advice for Current Juniors/Class of 2016 ALL colleges accept either test. There is no preference PSAT guidance High math score = SAT Reading + writing is 7+ pts higher than math = ACT Foolproof plan Take a practice test! 13
Say Yes to the Right Test Advice for Current Sophomores/Class of 2017 Steer clear of the new SAT. Here s why: It s harder than the ACT No solid score guidance ACT is easier to prep for 14
Why the SAT is changing ACT is winning the test race! ACT is more popular than SAT nationwide. More states using ACT as high school exit exam 15
A Classic Battle 16
Biggest Changes CATEGORY OVERALL TIMING SCORING MATH ESSAY CHANGE New SAT will look a lot like the ACT, but harder 3 hours without essay (3 hours, 50 minutes with essay) No penalty for wrong answers 1600 composite with separate essay source Less middle school content and more advanced concepts 2 sections one allowing calculator and one not allowing calculator More grid-in (not multiple-choice) questions Optional and 50 minutes instead of 25 minutes VOCABULARY More familiar words, but testing multiple meanings in passages DOCUMENTS Analyze historical documents and speeches GRAMMAR Tested in passages and includes punctuation 17
Where could your scores take you? School Average SAT Average ACT Georgia Tech 2020 30 University of Georgia 1810 28 Duke 2210 32 Emory University 2060 31 New York University 1950 29 Northwestern University 2160 32 Ohio State University 1860 28 UCLA 1950 28 University of Florida 1890 27 University of Michigan 2030 30 University of North Carolina 1940 30 University of Texas at Austin 1860 28 Elon 1850 27 Scores are not just about getting in. High scores can help you get $ for college. 18
Recap Juniors/Class of 2016: Take current SAT or ACT SAT TIMELINE Dec/Jan: Begin your prep May/June: take AP tests/sat Subject tests March: Take the SAT ACT TIMELINE Nov/Dec: Begin your prep April: Take ACT Feb: Take ACT May/June: take AP tests/sat Subject tests 19
Recap Sophomores/Class of 2017: Take current SAT or ACT Use your PSAT scores to decide if you will take the current SAT If yes, prep over the summer and take the test in Fall 2015 If no, then focus on prepping and taking the ACT 20
Your Personal Testing Timeline This can be complicated and depends upon: What Tests You Take Admissions Strategy Goal Score Busy Calendar SAT, ACT, Both SAT Subject Tests Applying early decision Are you close /far away? Fall, winter or spring activities The Princeton Review can help you create a personalized prep plan 21
What do these tests really measure? The tests DO NOT measure your intelligence. High GPAs don t always equate to high test scores Don t take PSAT scores personally it s way too early in the game to worry about these The tests measure how well you take tests. Intelligent practice WILL help you increase your scores. 22
Your Prep Options On your own: books, self-paced online programs. Great for independent learners that need to brush up on skills, strategies. Classes: Range in philosophy from content to specific test strategies. Often available during week/weekends in neighborhood locations. Private 1:1 Tutoring: Highly personalized to your learning needs and customized to your schedule. 23
Decide which Prep is Right for You How far are you from your goal score? How crazy is your schedule? How do you learn best? If you are 200+ points away from your goal, pick a course or private tutor. It s worth it! 24
How are the SAT and ACT used? These tests are just one part of your college application. Colleges also look at your: High School transcripts Academic rigor Grades Extracurricular activities Leadership & curiosity counts Less is more Essay Personal, specific and detailed. Authentic. Represent your passions/interests Letters of Recommendation Identify your fans Make polite requests ahead of time Provide ALL necessary materials 25
Your College Guidance Options People you know: HS counselors, parents, friends The Guides: Thousands of titles. Our favorites Online: college websites, rankings and lists give student insights Private 1:1 Counselors: CollegeWise etc. 26
30 years of Test Success Over 4 out of 5 Princeton Review Graduates were accepted into at least one of their top-choice schools. We raise your scores and give you an edge Learn content and test-specific strategies Access to great instructors who have a Ph.D. in every test Personalized pacing strategies (critical for timed tests) Strategies for test anxiety that build confidence Options for your learning style and busy schedule 27
Th e Fu l t o n Co u n t y Sc h o ol Dist rict Pr esen t s: Th e Pr in c et o n Review SAT pr ep Co u r se @ Riv er w ood H ig h Sc h ool Co u r se Det a il s Disc o u n t ed Tu it io n : $125 per st u d en t w it h pr omo c o d e ATLFCSPSH IP (r et a il v a l u e o f $699) 18 hours of in-class instruction 3 full-length in person practice tests Princeton Review instructors and materials with 11 additional practice tests Classes held at your high school U pc o ming Co u rse Prep for the March SAT 1/10/15 through 3/2/15 on Mondays & Saturdays All class sessions after school @ 4PM, Practice test on three Saturdays @ 9AM For information regarding one-on-one tutoring options, please contact: Franklin Rabon Director of Tutoring Services frabon@review.com Register TODAY! Please visit www.princetonreview.com and go to Find a Prep Course near You Select SAT and Classroom, enter your zip code and click Find Course Enter Code ATLFCSPSHIP and click Apply to see the discounted price Fulton County BOE has a limited number of scholarships available if you receive a free or reduced lunch. Please email PartnershipsATL@review.com to learn more. SAT is a registered trademark of The College Board. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University or The College Board. 28
29 Q & A Princeton Review Class Registration Chris Benson 888-300-7787 Ext. 5427 cbenson@review.com