Understanding PSAT results

Welcome! Aimee Thomson College and Career Counselor athomson@htps.us Twitter: @HHSCollege 2

Topics for tonight About the PSAT Connecting the PSAT to the SAT The PSAT Score Report (Paper and Online) Creating a Testing Plan Where Do We Go Now? 3

About the PSAT 1

PSAT = Preliminary SAT Two sections: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing Math We administer two different tests: PSAT 8/9 - to 9th graders PSAT/NMSQT - to 10th and 11th graders Offered in October every year Can only take ONCE a year HHS administered to all students in 9-11 this year 5

How is it used? Gives an idea of where a student stands for college admissions testing Juniors - serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Competition If they did the survey, gets students on the list to receive LOTS of mail from colleges Gauges a student s college readiness (benchmarks) Provides information about potential AP course success Juniors and Sophomores - in some situations, can be used to meet graduation requirements 6

How is it NOT used? PSAT is NOT used for college admission Not the sole determination for entry into advanced (honors and AP) courses Not used for freshman to meet high school graduation requirements Most importantly...it s NOT the sole determination of a student s future! 7

2 Connecting the Tests PSAT 8/9, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT

The score students get on the PSAT 8/9 or PSAT/NMSQT is the same score they would have gotten on the SAT if they d taken it on the same day. 10

How do they compare? Time PSAT 8/9 2 hrs, 25 mins PSAT/NMSQT 2 hrs, 45 mins SAT 3 hrs, 50 mins Essay None None Optional Section Scores 120-720 160-760 200-800 11

The Score Report 3

Available online Students received an email to their HTPS email account on 12/12 or 12/13 from the College Board with instructions to connect Also available in Naviance (grades 10/11 only - and only the basic section scores) Paper reports are on their way! 13

Online Score Report Pinpoint strengths and weaknesses Review Skills Insight for suggestions on improving performance Identify test questions and answer explanations in areas of difficulty Link College Board and Khan Academy accounts for individualized practice plans 14

Accessing Scores Go to studentscores.collegeboard.org Existing accounts: Sign In to access scores Or, create a new account by clicking sign up using the info they used on test day (school e-mail) Contact College Board directly if student needs to combine two accounts 15

What you ll see... 16

Benchmark Scores Students with an SAT Math section score that meets or exceeds the benchmark have a 75% likelihood of earning at least a C in first-semester, credit-bearing college courses in algebra, statistics, precalculus, or calculus. Students with an SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) section score that meets or exceeds the benchmark have a 75% likelihood of earning at least a C in first-semester, credit-bearing college courses in history, literature, social sciences, or writing classes. 17

Benchmark Scores A student who meets the benchmark for their grade level is in the green range. A student who does not meet the benchmark for the previous grade level is in the red range. A student who falls between these two ranges is in the yellow range. 18

Tests and Subtests 3 test scores: Reading, Writing and Language, Math These are part of the overall test scores PSAT/NMSQT score range: 8-38 PSAT 8/9 score range: 6-36 Also cross-test scores in Analysis of History and Science Many subtest scores Provide information about student achievement These are how the College Board groups the questions of the test (e.g. Heart of Algebra, Words in Context) Subtest score range: 1-15 19

Percentile A percentile is a number between 1 and 99 that shows students how they rank compared to other students. It represents the percentage of students whose scores fall at or below their score. 21

Percentiles Nationally Representative Sample Percentile: Compares against a representative sample of all students in the US, including those not going to college. User Percentile: Compares to grade level peers across the US who actually took the test. This one s more useful! 22

Question Analysis Students can see how they performed on every question Right or wrong Question difficulty Answer explanations Which subscore the question is a part of 23

This information is also provided on the paper score report. Test booklets will be returned to students soon! 24

How to Improve Online: Skills Insight includes score-based recommendations for improvement. Paper: Next Steps is based on test scores, and on what general skills similar performing students understand. Students can see which skills they performed well on and which they need to improve. 25

AP Potential Advanced Placement (AP) courses are rigorous, college-level courses offered in high schools. PSAT gives an idea of what AP courses the student is likely to be successful in, based ONLY on PSAT scores HHS also looks at prior related-class performance Talk to your counselor about options and course planning 27

National Merit Juniors also see a NMSC Selection Index This index is used by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation to designate students to be recognized in its National Merit Scholarship Program. 50,000 qualify for recognition (Class of 19 = notify in Sept 18) 15,000 finalists...some get $2500 scholarship Cutoffs are based on state of residence Other awards: specific demographic groups and some large companies 28

Creating a Testing Plan 3

What s Needed? Depends on where the student is headed Many colleges require the SAT or ACT. Both are considered equally. Most, but not all, schools superscore An increasing number of test optional schools! Some very selective colleges require Subject Tests AP scores may or may not be a part of the admission process. 30

SAT What s a good score? Depends on the goal NJ average is 1075 HHS average is 1197 Colleges accept a WIDE range of scores Most schools quote a middle 50% Recommended to take in Junior Year into Senior Year Some schools require that you report ALL scores...use practice test-taking opportunities instead! 31

ACT Includes a science section. Calculator allowed on all Math. Some students do better! Section scores of 0-36 Composite score of 0-36 - an average - colleges use this! NJ Composite Average is 24 HHS Composite Average is 26 See the current concordance scales (page 7) 32

Subject Tests One hour, subject specific tests Can take up to 3 in a sitting - can NOT take the same day as the SAT Take after completing HIGHEST level of course at HHS (AP recommended) Math: Level 1, Level 2 Science: Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics English Literature History: World History, US History Languages (some with listening): Spanish, French, Chinese, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Latin, Modern Hebrew 33

Testing Timeline 34

Testing Options 35

Be Prepared We encourage all students to take the SAT at least once during 11 th grade Think Ahead, Plan Backwards What is your goal? How much time do you need to prepare? Will you take both the SAT & ACT? Will you need to take SAT Subject Tests? Do you anticipate other obligations on the test dates? When do you want to complete your college applications? 36

What contributes to a strong score? Developing skills through rigorous academic courses Extensive, quality reading and/or writing in class and outside of school Exposure to rigorous non-fiction text Taking practice tests and becoming familiar with test directions, types of questions and pacing Utilizing past performance to guide preparation 37

Khan Academy Practice Practice tests and more 8 official full-length practice tests, plus study and test-taking tips Interactive practice Thousands of practice questions, video lessons, and hints A tailored practice plan We'll import your PSAT/NMSQT results and pinpoint your areas for practice Instant feedback Get constant feedback and progress so you know where you stand 20 hours of practice on Khan Academy is associated with an average 115-point score increase from the PSAT/NMSQT to the SAT, nearly double the average gain without KA 38

How to Get Started 1 2 3 Go to satpractice.org Create an account on Khan Academy, or sign into an existing account. Link Accounts When prompted, agree to link Khan Academy and College Board accounts. Send Scores Log in to College Board account, and hit Send to get a personalized practice plan. 39

What do we do next? 4

Test Preparation Link to Khan Academy Consider additional preparation options SAT prep class for next year (10th graders) Group Classes - online or in person Individual Tutoring - online or in person Books, self-prep Begin to create a testing plan 41

Registration Deadlines Test Date Registration Deadline ACT February 10, 2018 January 12, 2018 SAT (offered at HHS) March 10, 2018 February 9, 2018 ACT April 14, 2018 March 9, 2018 SAT (offered at HHS) May 5, 2018 April 6, 2018 SAT June 2, 2018 May 3, 2018 ACT June 9, 2018 May 4, 2018 42

Online College Search Start simple College Board - Big Future Naviance Family Connection Look at the basics Location, major, school size, etc. Get an idea of admission requirements Average GPA and Average SAT/ACT scores 43

Enjoy the holiday season! 44

11th grade parents/guardians: Attend Junior Parent Night Thursday, January 18th 6:30pm HHS Auditorium 45

Thanks! Any questions? Aimee Thomson College & Career Counselor athomson@htps.us / Twitter: @HHSCollege 46