1. PSAT & Other Information
Sophomores & Juniors

2. PSAT

3. Get to know the PSAT
The PSAT/NMSQT measures reading, writing and language, and math skills developed over many years.
What you learned in high school
What you need to succeed in college

4. Continued...
The PSAT does not ask for facts from literature, history, or science or for recall of math formulas, because it measures your reasoning and critical thinking skills.
You do not have to discover secret tricks or cram the night before.
There is no penalty for guessing.
The test length is 2 hours, 45 minutes...shorter than the actual SAT test.

5. What are the benefits of the taking the PSAT?
Prepare for the SAT
Get free, personalized official SAT practice on Khan Academy
Start getting ready for college with college and career planning tools
Enter the Nation Merit Scholarship Program (2%)
See which AP courses for which you might be ready
Get admission and financial aid information from colleges

6. How to read your PSAT scores
PSAT 1520, SAT 1600 (chart)
ERW ; SAT
Math ; SAT
Percentile is based on others in your grade that are as far into school as you are...does not mean if you took the SAT today, you would be in that percentile

10. What is a good PSAT score?
A decent score meets the bechmark for the College Board--75% chance you will make a “C” or higher in a college class
PSAT Juniors=970 (510 math/460 verbal); PSAT Sophomores 910 (480 math/430 verbal)
A Good PSAT score would equate to around a 1200 SAT score PSAT score for Juniors; 1050 PSAT for Sophomores
A Very Good PSAT score would equate to around a 1400 SAT score PSAT score for Juniors; 1250 PSAT score for Sophomores
An Excellent PSAT score would equate to around SAT score PSAT score as a junior.

11. What next? Register for the SAT or ACT
Collegeboard.org
Act.org
Keep in mind: the higher your ACT or SAT score, the more scholarship money possible
Bigfuture.collegeboard.org
RoadMap to Careers
100% of colleges accept either test
Method Test Prep
Khan Academy
ACT prep

12. linsey.balmos@blanco isd.org

13. Senior year...YAY! Request a transcript
Take an ACT or SAT spring or summer of Junior year
Some college applications open August 1st and close March 15th
Financial aid opens October 1st
Freshman collegiate scholarships have a deadline of December 1st...so applications have to be in by December 1st
NCAA--Division I or Division II, need to register with NCAA eligibility by the end of Junior year
Scholarships: National VS Local
Meet with Mrs. Balmos, signatures needed for 4 year plans

14. Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
Texas Success Initiative (TSI)--College Placement Test
Reading score of 351, math score of 350, Writing Essay score of 5+ OR Essay 4 AND objective score 340+

16. Questions?
Linsey Balmos