Understanding PSAT results

Welcome!Aimee ThomsonCollege and Career Counselorathomson@htps.usTwitter: @HHSCollege

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Topics for tonight

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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?

About the PSAT

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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

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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 requirements6

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!

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Connecting the TestsPSAT 8/9, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT

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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.

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How do they compare?PSAT 8/92 hrs, 25 mins

None

120-720

PSAT/NMSQT2 hrs, 45 mins

None

160-760

SAT3 hrs, 50 mins

Optional

200-800

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Time

Essay

Section

Scores

The Score Report

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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!

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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

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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

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What you’ll see...

Benchmark Scores

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● 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.

Benchmark Scores

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● 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.

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

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PercentileA 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.

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PercentilesNationally Representative Sample Percentile:

Compares against a representative sample of all students in the US, including those not going to college.

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User Percentile:

Compares to grade level peers across the US who actually took the test.

This one’s more useful!

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

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This information is also provided on the paper score report.

Test booklets will be returned to students soon!

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.

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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

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

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Creating a Testing Plan

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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.

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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!

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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)

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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

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34Testing Timeline

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Testing Options

● We encourage all students to take the SAT at least once during 11th 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

Be Prepared

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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

Khan Academy PracticePractice tests and more8 official full-length practice tests, plus study and test-taking tips

Interactive practiceThousands of practice questions, video lessons, and hints

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A tailored practice planWe'll import your PSAT/NMSQT results and pinpoint your areas for practice

Instant feedbackGet 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

How to Get StartedGo 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.

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What do we do next?

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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

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Registration Deadlines

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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

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

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Enjoy the holiday season!

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11th grade parents/guardians:

Attend Junior Parent Night

Thursday, January 18th6:30pm

HHS Auditorium

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Thanks!Any questions?Aimee Thomson

College & Career Counselor

athomson@htps.us / Twitter: @HHSCollege