7 tips for taking the PSAT/NMSQT

On Wednesday Oct. 15, high school juniors and many sophomores will get their first taste of standardized testing for college when they take the PSAT/NMSQT.

That’s a lot of letters. It stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The PSAT/NMSQT is co-sponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Colleges will not see students’ PSAT scores unless their score qualifies them for scholarships and recognition through the National Merit Scholarship Corp. and the National Hispanic Recognition Program. So, there is no need for students to be anxious about taking the test. However, students who have performed well on standardized tests in the past would be well served by prepping for this test.

The PSAT/NMSQT is good practice for the SAT and helps students get comfortable with the testing format. At 2 hours, 10 minutes, the PSAT is roughly half the length of the SAT. The PSAT has five sections: two 25-minute critical reading sections, two 25-minute math sections and one 30-minute writing skills section.

Unlike the SAT, the PSAT has no essay. The test provides personalized feedback for students, specifying skill strengths and weaknesses. Analyzing the feedback is one of the smartest things students can do to improve their test scores. Students can take free PSAT/NMSQT practice questions on the College Board website. www.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/preparation.

Strategies for the PSAT/NMSQT

1. Know when to guess and when to pass. The PSAT, like the SAT, penalizes students a quarter point for each incorrect response. General testing wisdom says that if a student can eliminate at least one answer in a multiple choice question, it is worth taking an educated guess. Random guessing is discouraged. According to the College Board website, “getting only half the questions right and not answering the rest will still earn an above-average score.”

2. Read the instructions carefully and don’t assume you know the format of the test.

3. Use the test book as scratch paper for your calculations.

4. Be sure to read ALL the answer choices before making a decision and marking your answer sheet.

5. Manage your time. All questions have the same value (harder questions don’t earn more points). Don’t waste time on difficult questions. Make a mark in the book and come back if time allows.

6. Check the answer sheet to be certain you are filling in the correct response.

7. Come prepared. Know what you can bring and what you can’t. You can bring two No. 2 pencils with erasers and an approved calculator (check the website). You can’t bring food, beverages, dictionaries, rulers, compasses, pamphlets/papers, highlighters, or devices for listening, recording, copying or taking photos (including watches and cellphones with cameras).

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/09/22/5192175/9-tips-for-taking-the-psatnmsqt.html#.VCQ5NtXF-Sp#storylink=cpy

4 Strategies to Overcome Test Anxiety

Nearly all students experience text anxiety at least once in their lives. It is natural to do so when facing the GRE, SAT, or perhaps even a weekly quiz. However, test anxiety can interfere with students' logical reasoning abilities and their memories. It can even result in a serious mental block.

Remaining calm on your exam day can help you manage such anxiety and ultimately lead to improvements in your grades. Here are four strategies to do so:

Study early and get enough sleepEach person requires a different amount of sleep. Some students function beautifully on just five hours, while others need nine or more. Determine your ideal amount, then plan ahead for important exams by studying early. That way, you can avoid cramming the evening before and get the adequate amount of rest you need.

Take practice testsThis is not only a beneficial studying technique, but also a strong strategy to manage stress. Completing practice exams allows your mind to acclimate to the test format as well as the process of recalling specific information from memory. This can be especially helpful for standardized tests like the ACT and SAT, which require great mental endurance and critical thinking.

Practice exams can also help you build your confidence as you continuously increase your score. Simply feeling prepared and confident on test day can help mitigate stress.

Exercise in the morningExercising can enable you to dispel anxious feelings, thus allowing you to feel more relaxed during your test. It can also wake your brain, leading to a potential increase in cognitive functioning. This tactic makes particular sense for the ACT, GRE, SAT, and so on, when you can simply run around your neighborhood before your exam session. If you are fortunate enough to have the liberty to set your own class schedule, try to place gym time directly before your most difficult course (i.e. the one that is most stressful).

Relax and trust your preparationBefore you begin a test, devote several minutes to thinking about your prep plan. Do not worry about how you could have studied more--just remind yourself that you prepared effectively and efficiently. If you are still feeling stressed, try a simple relaxation technique like taking several deep, slow breaths; closing your eyes for a few moments; visualizing success, etc.

Happy testing!

College Admissions: What Your PSAT Scores Really Mean

PSAT scores will arrive for anxious high school students this week (Coming to NTHS Students in January). These scores mark the time when sophomores and juniors can begin to target colleges that are in range. Realistically, there are only 5 months left for juniors to visit colleges before campuses empty out in the first week of May. In the fall, early action dates begin a few weeks after school opens, and many colleges are filling 30-70% of their seats in that round. So, starting your visits in junior year is critical. If your school is slow about handing out scores, you may want to go online and get them. Then, how do you interpret your PSAT scores and use them to launch your college search?

Estimating SAT scores

If you add a zero to end of each PSAT score, that would be your SAT score. Your percentiles indicate how well you did vs. other students in your grade taking the PSAT. You are not measured against 11th graders, if you are in 10th grade. If you scored in the 85th percentile, you did better than 84 out of 100 students in your grade nationally. Because of additional math coursework, you will most likely see your math score increase from your sophomore to junior PSAT. If you elect to do test prep, you will probably see a bigger increase. Most students who prep will go up 60-180 total points (across all 3 sections) from the junior PSAT to the SAT. Many families believe their child will jump 300 points or more with test prep. That kind of an increase is rare, and choosing colleges according to that hope will get you into trouble.

Low scores should NOT be ignored

For students who are getting A’s or B’s in school, PSAT scores below 40 can often be an indicator of an undiagnosed learning disability (LD) or anxiety during testing. Talk to a neuro-psychologist or college counselor about options for educational testing. If you are diagnosed with dyslexia, ADD, ADHD or other learning differences, you may qualify for extended time on test day. It is best to do evaluations by 10th grade since the standards for extended SAT time have been getting more stringent. Those with scores in the 40s-50s who are aiming for a competitive college should begin test prep early and be very diligent about studying each week on their own. Students should also consider taking the ACT. It can often be a better test for students who are high achievers in school or who don’t do well with vocabulary.

What colleges care about

Colleges DO NOT see your PSAT scores. PSAT scores are intended as practice for the SAT and allow you to determine areas where you may need help. The only situation in which they may affect your admission is if you are a National Merit Semi-Finalist or Winner. Only juniors are considered for this award, and the cutoff varies, but you usually have to have a total score of 210 or better. If you are a finalist, it is viewed as a very prestigious honor by colleges and there may be scholarship money to follow.

Test Prep is a MUST

Most students should begin SAT prep in the fall or winter of their junior year, and spend 10-12 weeks studying before they take the test. However, some students with lower scores or those aiming for highly competitive colleges, may want to begin prep as early as sophomore year. The type of study program you select depends on your budget and needs. Some high school based programs are free, but many are relatively weak. It depends on the curriculum and instructor. The major test prep companies like Kaplan and Princeton Review do a very good job of screening teachers and training them, but the group courses will not usually help you with content review (geometry, algebra, grammar). They typically focus on test taking strategy. A well-trained and qualified private SAT tutor will teach strategy and address individual needs to learn the relevant math, vocabulary and writing skills—but the cost is a bit higher. For families who cannot afford courses or tutors, there are terrific SAT prep books on the market, and some highly motivated students can achieve top scores with disciplined self-study.

SAT Alternatives

If you have tried the SAT and ACT, done test prep, and still can’t achieve competitive scores—then it is time to consider “Test Optional” colleges. Today, there are more than 800 in the U.S., and they include prestigious liberal arts colleges like Middlebury, Bowdoin and Bates. Catholic colleges are also jumping on the bandwagon, including Providence College, St. Michael’s and De Paul. What you won’t find on the list are the primary campuses of state universities or the Ivy League.

*Not all high schools offer the PSAT for sophomores

Countdown to College: How important is the PSAT?

On Oct. 16, millions of high school juniors will be sharpening their No. 2 pencils and filling in bubbles on the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).

The PSAT is a 2-hour, 10-minute exam that prepares students for the SAT. The PSAT has three sections: Critical Reading, Math and Writing.

The PSAT and SAT have similar score ranges: PSAT: 20-80 for each section, and the SAT: 200-800. These scores are combined to create the National Merit Scholarship selection index.

National Merit awards approximately 8,200 scholarships annually. Score cutoffs vary from state to state. Historically, semifinalists have scored in the top 1 percent of students in their state, and commended scholars are typically in the top 1 to 4 percent.

What is tested?

Critical Reading: 13 questions on sentence completion and 35 passage-based reading questions; two 25-minute sections.

Writing: 14 questions on identifying sentence errors, 20 questions on improving sentences, 5 questions on improving paragraphs; one 30-minute section.

Math: 28 multiple-choice questions, 10 grid-in questions; two 25-minute sections.

Benefits of the PSAT

The PSAT has no downside for students. Colleges will not see the results unless the student earns top scores. By carefully reviewing their test results, students can learn a lot about their strengths and weaknesses.

Understanding your need areas as a junior allows enough time to address the gaps and improve test scores for when they really count. It’s a great idea to familiarize yourself with the test structure, the section directions and the format of the questions that you’ll see on the SAT.

Test-taking tips

• Take the practice test in The Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT booklet. Pick one up in the guidance office.

• Keep a comfortable pace and don’t get stuck on a single question. Students can earn an above-average score by answering half of the questions correctly and omitting answers for the rest of the questions.

• Don’t guess unless you can eliminate at least one response. A half-point is deducted for every incorrect answer.

• Bubble correctly. Check your answer sheet regularly to make sure you are in the right place.

• Bring a calculator.

While there is no need to panic over the PSAT, a solid score can translate into scholarships, reduce stress and increase confidence.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/10/07/4371829/how-important-is-the-psat.html#.Ula8rZlDvIY#storylink=cpy