PSAT Locust Grove High School

PSAT Testing Information Given on October 14 Given on October 14 2 hours, 10 minutes 2 hours, 10 minutes Given to ALL 10 th graders Given to ALL 10 th graders Administered by English teachers Administered by English teachers Free to 10 th graders; test charge for other grades Free to 10 th graders; test charge for other grades

Why Take the PSAT? Practice for the SAT Practice for the SAT Provides expected SAT score range Provides expected SAT score range Feedback about academic skills Feedback about academic skills Improve skills for future testing Improve skills for future testing Determine AP course potential Determine AP course potential Determine readiness for college Determine readiness for college Comparisons to students nationally Comparisons to students nationally National Achievement and Merit Scholarships National Achievement and Merit Scholarships

PSAT Components 2 Critical Reading Sections 2 Critical Reading Sections 25 min./ea. 25 min./ea. 2 Math Sections 2 Math Sections 25 min./ea. 25 min./ea. Writing Skills Section Writing Skills Section 30 min. 30 min.

Critical Reading sentence completion sentence completion 13 questions 13 questions passage-based reading passage-based reading 35 questions 35 questions

Building a Vocabulary Building a Vocabulary Determine meaning from word components. Determine meaning from word components. Comprehending Sentences Comprehending Sentences Punctuation. Punctuation. Introductory and transitional words and phrases. Introductory and transitional words and phrases. Reading Effectively Reading Effectively Understand the primary purpose or main idea of a piece. Understand the primary purpose or main idea of a piece. Understand the tone or attitude conveyed by certain words and expressions. Understand the tone or attitude conveyed by certain words and expressions. Understand the use of rhetorical strategies. Understand the use of rhetorical strategies. Recognize implications and make evaluations. Recognize implications and make evaluations. Make inferences. Make inferences.

Mathematics number and operations (20-25%) number and operations (20-25%) algebra and functions (35-40%) algebra and functions (35-40%) geometry and measurement (25- 30%) geometry and measurement (25- 30%) data analysis, statistics, & probability (10-15%) data analysis, statistics, & probability (10-15%) 28 multiple-choice questions 28 multiple-choice questions 10 student-produced responses 10 student-produced responses

Number and Operations Number and Operations Integers, percent, word problems, prime numbers, ratio & proportion, logical reasoning, sets, divisibility, sequences Integers, percent, word problems, prime numbers, ratio & proportion, logical reasoning, sets, divisibility, sequences Algebra and Functions Algebra and Functions Factoring, functions, exponents, variation, absolute value, substitution, equations, linear equations & inequalities, quadratic equations, algebraic expressions Factoring, functions, exponents, variation, absolute value, substitution, equations, linear equations & inequalities, quadratic equations, algebraic expressions Geometry and Measurement Geometry and Measurement Properties of parallel lines, angle relationships, side relationships, area and perimeter, volume, coordinate geometry, circumference, Pythagorean Theorem, triangle properties, slope Properties of parallel lines, angle relationships, side relationships, area and perimeter, volume, coordinate geometry, circumference, Pythagorean Theorem, triangle properties, slope Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability Average, mean, median, mode, probability, data interpretation Average, mean, median, mode, probability, data interpretation

Writing Skills improving sentences improving sentences 20 questions 20 questions identifying sentence errors identifying sentence errors 14 questions 14 questions improving paragraphs improving paragraphs 5 questions 5 questions

Effective Writing Being consistent. Being consistent. Expressing ideas logically. Expressing ideas logically. Being clear and precise. Being clear and precise. Following conventions. Following conventions. Recognizing effective writing. Recognizing effective writing.

Preparation for the PSAT PSAT booklet practice tests and tips PSAT booklet practice tests and tips Academic/skill reviews and practices Academic/skill reviews and practices PSAT sample questions from PSAT sample questions from Number2.com – tutorials, practices, and tips Number2.com – tutorials, practices, and tips

Items Needed for the PSAT No. 2 pencils and eraser No. 2 pencils and eraser Calculator (non-graphing) Calculator (non-graphing) Social Security number Social Security number address (optional) address (optional)

Items Prohibited During the PSAT Scratch paper Scratch paper Graphing calculator Graphing calculator Protractors, compasses, rulers Protractors, compasses, rulers Dictionaries, books, papers, pamphlets Dictionaries, books, papers, pamphlets Highlighters, pens, colored pencils Highlighters, pens, colored pencils Listening, recording, copying, or photographic devices, or any aids Listening, recording, copying, or photographic devices, or any aids Food or drink Food or drink Electronic devices Electronic devices

Testing Tips Pace yourself. Pace yourself. Read directions carefully. Read directions carefully. Read questions carefully. Read questions carefully. Answer easy questions first. Answer easy questions first. Use logic. Use logic. Choose the best answer. Choose the best answer. Review your work. Review your work. Mark answers carefully. Mark answers carefully. Erase completely. Erase completely.

Scoring for the PSAT Multiple choice format Multiple choice format 1 point for correct responses 1 point for correct responses 0 points for omitted questions 0 points for omitted questions - ¼ point for incorrect answers - ¼ point for incorrect answers (no points deducted for wrong student-produced math responses) Be cautious about random guessing Be cautious about random guessing because credit is deducted for wrong answers! Make educated guesses, using processes of elimination. because credit is deducted for wrong answers! Make educated guesses, using processes of elimination.

PSAT Results & Interpretation Results and interpretation given by counselors in January Results and interpretation given by counselors in January collegeboard.com/psatextra – collegeboard.com/psatextra – My College QuickStart and My Road answer explanations answer explanations personalized SAT study plan personalized SAT study plan personality profiler personality profiler major, college, & career exploration and personalization major, college, & career exploration and personalization