4 Major Parts of Your PSAT/NMSQT Results Your Scores Your Skills Your Answers Critical Reading Mathematics Writing Skills Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results Next Steps 3 Test Sections
Your Scores 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. Score You can see your projected SAT score online in My College QuickStart ( Score Range
National Merit Scholarship Corporation Information The Entry Requirements section displays information you provided on your answer sheet. The Percentile compares your performance to that of other college-bound juniors. 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.
See how you did on each skill. The same skills are tested on the SAT. Your Skills You can try hundreds of practice questions, organized by skill, online in My College QuickStart (
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.
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.
What’s next? 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 Next Steps
My College QuickStart
SAT vs. ACT: Which Test Should I Take?
Let’s Get to Know the SAT & ACT
Top Factors in College Admissions 1a) Grades in College Prep Courses Advanced Placement International Baccalaureate Dual-enrollment Courses Source: National Association of College Admissions Counseling, “2010 State of College Admission”
Top Factors in College Admissions 1b) Strength of Curriculum Rigor Relevance Quantity Source: National Association of College Admissions Counseling, “2010 State of College Admission”
Top Factors in College Admissions 2) Admissions Test Scores SAT ACT AP & Subject Tests Source: National Association of College Admissions Counseling, “2010 State of College Admission”
Top Factors in College Admissions 3) High School GPA Overall Don’t fall behind Don’t lose focus Source: National Association of College Admissions Counseling, “2010 State of College Admission”
SECTIONFORMAT/ TIMEQUESTION TYPESSCORE 2010 Averages Math 3 Sections Multiple Choice Grid-Ins 200– The SAT at-a-Glance 200–800 Critical Reading Sections Multiple Choice Writing 3 Sections Multiple Choice Essay 200–800 0– Total 10 Sections 3 hours, 45 minutes Multiple Choice Grid-Ins Essay 600– Experimental Multiple Choice1 SectionNot Scored N/A
FORMAT/ TIME English 1 SectionMultiple Choice 1– The ACT at-a-Glance Math 1 SectionMultiple Choice 1– Reading 1 SectionMultiple Choice 1– Science 1 SectionMultiple Choice 1– Writing 1 Section Essay (Optional) 1 – – –5 Sections 2 hrs, 55 minutes 3 hrs, 25 minutes Multiple Choice Essay 1– Total:
Key Differences ACT has “Science” reasoning questions. ACT has four trigonometry questions. SAT essay is required and first. ACT essay is last and not always required. SAT is 20 minutes longer.
What Do Colleges Think? Facts: Nearly all schools accept the SAT or ACT. 89% of schools use SAT or ACT test scores in making admissions decisions*. Source: National Association of College Admissions Counseling, “Preparation for College Admissions Exams”, 2009
How Do I Decide? Take the free SAT-ACT test on their website or pick up practice books from Guidance. Look to see if your college of choice requires either Check out the Facts!
GACOLLEGE411.org Create an account as a parent Have your student permit access to your parent account Research colleges and get to know their requirements