PSAT Information for Parents and Students

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PSAT Information for Parents and Students
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Why do we give the PSAT to 9th, 10th and 11th
Grade Students?

• Juniors who score very high are eligible for
  scholarships awarded by the National Merit
  Scholarship Corporation.
• For grades 9 and 10, we give the PSAT (
  which is a predictor of SAT scores) for
• early diagnosis of potential problem areas
• practice
• assessment of school program

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A Few Facts about the Test

• Is designed for college bound students.
• Is preparation for the SAT.
• Consists of five sections Two 25 minute critical
  reading sections including sentence completions
  and critical reading. Two 25 minute math sections
  including multiple choice and grid ins. One 30
  minute writing skills section including
  identifying sentence errors, improving sentences
  and improving paragraph questions.
• The writing section multiple choice questions
  measure a students ability to express ideas
  effectively in standard written English, to
  recognize faults in usage and structure, and to
  use language with sensitivity to meaning.

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Scoring

• A raw score is computed by giving one point for
  each correct answer, no points for unanswered
  questions and no points for incorrect answers to
  student-produced response questions.
• One-fourth point is deducted for incorrect
  answers to multiple choice questions.
• The resulting score is converted to a score on
  the PSAT/NMSQT scale of 20 to 80 for each
  section..

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How Does the PSAT Relate to the SAT?

• PSAT is a shortened version of the SAT 2 hours
  10 minutes vs. 3 hours.
• PSAT scores run from 60 to 240 SAT scores run
  from 600-2400.
• How different are junior PSAT scores vs. junior
  SAT scores? On average the SAT is 10-14 points
  higher on each section.

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Analyzing your responses.

• Are there a number of omissions at the end of
  some of the sections? Pacing may be the key.
• Are you missing one type of question more
  frequently than others?
• Analogies?
• Critical reading questions?
• Geometry questions?
• Specific remediation in these areas can improve
  scores. Refer to the Score Report Plus Skills
  List which accompanied the score report.

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To Improve Scores

• Rework the test. Refer to the report for some
  helpful information and suggestions.
• Follow the suggestions offered by PSAT.
• Skip questions that are too hard and go on to
  easier ones.
• Do scratchwork in the booklet. Mark figures or
  reading passages.
• Know how to use your calculator.
• Make educated guesses.

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To Improve Scores

• Read, read, read.
• Take challenging courses.
• Learn the meaning of new words as you come across
  them in reading.
• Review the math reference material in the booklet.

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How Do My Students Scores Compare to Others?
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CCDS Results 2006
CCDS Ninth Graders Critical Reading Mean 49.5
Math Mean 51.8 Writing Mean 48.2 CCDS
Tenth Graders Critical Reading 51.9 Math
Mean 56.0 Writing Mean 50.9 CCDS Eleventh
Graders Critical Reading 57.2 Math Mean
61.0 Writing Mean 56.8 (National Means for
juniors will be available in February 2007)
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PSAT as it relates to college issues
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What is the significance of the PSAT?

• Juniors may qualify for the National Merit
  Scholarship Program if their score is high
  enough.
• The selection index to qualify is usually around
  215.
• To determine your selection index, add the
  verbal, math and writing skills scores together.
• The practice of taking this kind of test and the
  opportunity to identify areas that need attention
  before the junior year are the reasons ninth and
  tenth graders take the PSAT.

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Do colleges get PSAT scores?

• Colleges rely on the SAT scores, not the PSAT
  scores.
• PSAT scores are not listed on the transcript and
  are not reported to colleges unless the college
  specifically requests them.
• Colleges do purchase lists of students who score
  in certain ranges in order to mail these students
  information about their schools, but these scores
  do not become a part of the students profile.

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When to take the SAT

• We recommend that juniors take an SAT in the fall
  or winter of their junior year and consider
  taking it again in late spring.
• Some will take the SAT again in October, November
  or December of their senior year.

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Should I take an SAT Prep Course?

• This is a personal decision however, many CCDS
  students do take an SAT Prep course.
• College Guidance keeps an updated list of SAT
  prep opportunities based on how satisfied our
  students were with the course.
• We also have books, and references to web sites
  that students can use at no cost.

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If I decide to take a prep course, when should I
take it and what kind of gains can I expect?

• If PSAT scores indicate areas that need to be
  strengthened, then it may be wise to address
  these in the 9th or 10th grades. In this case,
  working one on one with a qualified tutor is
  often a good idea.
• Gains vary widely. Students who work diligently
  to take advantage of the instruction can gain
  many points. Those who do not follow through on
  homework for the course will generally realize
  minimal gains. So, choose to take a prep course
  when you will have the time to devote to it.

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If you have additional questions, please call or
e-mail us.

• Melinda Bihn, Director of Studies
• bihn_at_ccds.charlotte.nc.us 704 943-4591
• Katie Elsasser, College Guidance
• elsasser_at_ccds.charlotte.nc.us 704 943-4682
• Catherine Odum, College Guidance
• odum_at_ccds.charlotte.nc.us 704 943-4683