1. Penncrest High School Junior Parent Night 2012

2. Junior Year Calendar PSAT / NMSQT October 17, 2012 PSAT / NMSQT October 17, 2012 Initiate college search: College fairs, Career Center, College Reps Initiate college search: College fairs, Career Center, College Reps Financial Aid Night: January 9, 2013 Financial Aid Night: January 9, 2013 Junior Interviews begin in the first Junior Interviews begin in the first semester semester Plan Spring Testing Schedule: SAT, ACT, AP Plan Spring Testing Schedule: SAT, ACT, AP Prepare for the SAT, ACT, AP Prepare for the SAT, ACT, AP

3. PSAT PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Approximately 3.3 million students took the PSAT/NMSQT: 46% were eleventh graders, 53% were tenth graders or younger students. Approximately 3.3 million students took the PSAT/NMSQT: 46% were eleventh graders, 53% were tenth graders or younger students.

4. Benefits of taking the PSAT The test provides: The best preparation for the SAT The best preparation for the SAT The entry point to compete for National Merit Scholarships The option to receive information from colleges and scholarship services. The option to receive information from colleges and scholarship services. Personalized feedback on critical reading, mathematics and writing skills. Personalized feedback on critical reading, mathematics and writing skills.

5. PSAT/NMSQT Approximately 16,000 high school seniors qualify for Semifinalist status based on their performance on the PSAT Approximately 16,000 high school seniors qualify for Semifinalist status based on their performance on the PSAT Semifinalist status is selected from the top 1% of Selection Index Scores. Semifinalist status is selected from the top 1% of Selection Index Scores. The Selection Index is the cumulative total of the three sub tests. The Selection Index is the cumulative total of the three sub tests. This year Penncrest is proud to have a National Merit Semifinalist who will now compete for Finalist recognition. This year Penncrest is proud to have a National Merit Semifinalist who will now compete for Finalist recognition. 2012 Penncrest – 3, Strath Haven – 8, Conestoga -26, Radnor - 7 2012 Penncrest – 3, Strath Haven – 8, Conestoga -26, Radnor - 7

6. What does the PSAT test? Like the SAT, the test assesses the academic skills that students develop over the years, primarily through course work. Like the SAT, the test assesses the academic skills that students develop over the years, primarily through course work. It measures critical reading, math reasoning, and writing skills that are critical for success in college. It measures critical reading, math reasoning, and writing skills that are critical for success in college.

7. What does the PSAT test? Critical reading skills – using content from: humanities, social studies, natural sciences and literature. Critical reading skills – using content from: humanities, social studies, natural sciences and literature. Math reasoning skills-using content from: number and operations; algebra and functions; geometry and measurement; data analysis, statistics and probability. Math reasoning skills-using content from: number and operations; algebra and functions; geometry and measurement; data analysis, statistics and probability. Writing skills – focus on editing, grammar, usage and organization. Writing skills – focus on editing, grammar, usage and organization.

8. How does the PSAT compare to the SAT? Same question types, except the SAT includes an essay assignment that does not appear on the PSAT Same question types, except the SAT includes an essay assignment that does not appear on the PSAT The PSAT is 2 hours, 10 minutes; the SAT is 3 hours, 45 minutes. The PSAT is 2 hours, 10 minutes; the SAT is 3 hours, 45 minutes. The SAT may have some math questions from third year math (Algebra II); the PSAT will not. The SAT may have some math questions from third year math (Algebra II); the PSAT will not.

9. How is the PSAT scored? Scores are reported on a scale of 20-80 for each section: critical reading, mathematics and writing skills. Scores are reported on a scale of 20-80 for each section: critical reading, mathematics and writing skills. For eleventh graders, 47-50 is the average range ; for tenth graders, 43-46 is the average range; for ninth graders, average range about 38-42. For eleventh graders, 47-50 is the average range ; for tenth graders, 43-46 is the average range; for ninth graders, average range about 38-42.

10. How does the PSAT score compare to an SAT? Some students add a “O” to the two-digit PSAT score to give a rough estimate of a three-digit SAT score. Some students add a “O” to the two-digit PSAT score to give a rough estimate of a three-digit SAT score. High school students receive a more reliable SAT projected score range in their online SAT study plan. High school students receive a more reliable SAT projected score range in their online SAT study plan. Students who have taken the PSAT average higher scores on the SAT than those who have not. Students who have taken the PSAT average higher scores on the SAT than those who have not.

11. PSAT / Recap Taking the test can provide these benefits: Scholarship opportunities. If you’re a junior, your score might qualify you for scholarships and recognition through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and the National Hispanic Recognition Program. scholarships and recognition SAT practice. The PSAT/NMSQT is great practice for the SAT. Both tests have the same types of questions, and taking the PSAT/NMSQT can help you get comfortable testing under timed conditions. Information from colleges. You can get free information from colleges and scholarship programs by opting in to Student Search Service® when you take the test. College and career planning help. By taking the test, you get free access to My College QuickStart™, an online tool that helps you plan for college and a career. It also gives you a free, personalized SAT study guide based on your PSAT/NMSQT results.My College QuickStart

12. PSAT Review Sessions PSAT Math Sessions: Joe Peleckis, PHS Math Teacher Lauren Newman, RTM teacher/SAT Tutor Tuesdays, 10/2 and 10/9 2:30-4:00 Room B207 PSAT Combination Critical Reading/Writing Review Sessions: Chrissa Kuntz, PHS English Teacher Mondays, 10/1 and 10/8 2:30-4:00 Room D105 PSAT Critical Reading Only Review Session: Lauren Newman, RTM teacher/SAT Tutor Wednesday, 10/3 2:30-4:00 Room A109 PSAT Writing Only Review Session: Lauren Newman, RTM teacher/SAT Tutor Wednesday, 10/10 2:30-4:00 Room A109

13. PSAT Scores / December 2012 Student scores are returned directly to students in December. Student scores are returned directly to students in December. In addition to scores students also receive an access code to My College Quickstart In addition to scores students also receive an access code to My College Quickstart Personalized feedback, practice and planning based on PSAT/NMSQT scores Personalized feedback, practice and planning based on PSAT/NMSQT scores

14. Standardized Tests Colleges use standardized testing in the form of the SAT and ACT to evaluate students Colleges use standardized testing in the form of the SAT and ACT to evaluate students Not all colleges use SAT or ACT: www.fairtest.org Not all colleges use SAT or ACT: www.fairtest.org Colleges utilize grade point average and class rank. Colleges utilize grade point average and class rank. Activities, letters of recommendation are important to most schools. Activities, letters of recommendation are important to most schools.

15. SAT / ACT Juniors are recommended to take the ACT and /or SAT Reasoning and/or Subject Tests during the year. Juniors are recommended to take the ACT and /or SAT Reasoning and/or Subject Tests during the year. www.collegeboard.org www.collegeboard.org www.collegeboard.org www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org

16. Penncrest SAT Scores The average SAT scores for college bound seniors at Penncrest for the class of 2012 The average SAT scores for college bound seniors at Penncrest for the class of 2012 Critical Reading – 526 Critical Reading – 526 Math - 548 Math - 548 Writing – 532 Writing – 532 Pennsylvania average SAT scores Pennsylvania average SAT scores Critical Reading – 492 Critical Reading – 492 Math – 501 Math – 501 Writing - 480 Writing - 480

17. ACT Five times per year : Five times per year : October October December December February February April April June June www.actstudent.org

18. SAT/ACT Comparison SAT – ten sections: three Critical Reading, three Math, three writing, and one Experimental; the Experimental section is masked to look like a regular section. SAT – ten sections: three Critical Reading, three Math, three writing, and one Experimental; the Experimental section is masked to look like a regular section. ACT – five sections: English, Math, Reading, Science and Writing (optional) ACT – five sections: English, Math, Reading, Science and Writing (optional)

19. SAT/ACT Comparison SAT Writing: an essay and questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice ACT Writing: essay English: stresses grammar Science: charts, experiments

20. SAT/ACT Comparison SAT Math: up to 9 th grade Geometry and Alg II Critical Reading: sentence completions, short & long passages, reading comprehension ACT Math: up to trigonometry Reading: four passages, one each Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science

21. SAT/ACT Comparison SAT Scoring: 200-800 per section, added together for a combined score- a 2400 is the highest possible combined score ACT Scoring: 1-36 for each subject, averaged together for a composite score- a 36 is the highest possible composite score

22. SAT Subject Tests Subject Tests are designed to measure your knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as your ability to apply that knowledge. Subject Tests are designed to measure your knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as your ability to apply that knowledge. Colleges use the Subject Tests for admission, course placement, and to advise students about course selection. Colleges use the Subject Tests for admission, course placement, and to advise students about course selection. Some colleges specify the Subject Tests that they require for admission; others allow applicants to choose which tests they take. Some colleges specify the Subject Tests that they require for admission; others allow applicants to choose which tests they take.

23. Subject Tests: Five Areas English: Literature English: Literature History: U.S., World History History: U.S., World History Mathematics: Level 1, Level 2 Mathematics: Level 1, Level 2 Science: Bio, Chem, Physics Science: Bio, Chem, Physics Languages: Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Japanese, Korean Languages: Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Japanese, Korean

24. Which Subject Tests Do I Take? Before deciding to take the tests, make a list of the colleges that you are considering. Then find out if the school requires the Subject Tests. Before deciding to take the tests, make a list of the colleges that you are considering. Then find out if the school requires the Subject Tests. Many colleges that don’t require Subject Test scores review them to gain a better picture of the student. Many colleges that don’t require Subject Test scores review them to gain a better picture of the student.

25. When should you take the tests? Most students take the Subject Tests toward the end of their junior year or at the beginning of the senior year. Most students take the Subject Tests toward the end of their junior year or at the beginning of the senior year. Take tests such as World History, Biology, Chemistry or Physics as soon as possible after completing the course while the material is still fresh in your mind. Take tests such as World History, Biology, Chemistry or Physics as soon as possible after completing the course while the material is still fresh in your mind. Questions? See your guidance counselor. Questions? See your guidance counselor.

26. AP Placement Program College-level courses taught in high school by high school teachers College-level courses taught in high school by high school teachers AP teachers use college-level materials and course descriptions developed by a committee of college faculty and AP teachers. AP teachers use college-level materials and course descriptions developed by a committee of college faculty and AP teachers.

27. AP Examinations Administered in May Administered in May Approximately three hours long Approximately three hours long Composed of multiple-choice and free- response questions Composed of multiple-choice and free- response questions Free-response questions are graded by college professors and AP teachers in June Free-response questions are graded by college professors and AP teachers in June AP exam grades range from 1 to 5 AP exam grades range from 1 to 5

28. Important Dates Financial Aid Night: January 9, 2013, 7:00 p.m. Financial Aid Night: January 9, 2013, 7:00 p.m. FAFSA completion night January 9, 2013, 7:00 p.m. FAFSA completion night January 9, 2013, 7:00 p.m. College Night: College Night: February 20, 2013, 7:00 p.m. February 20, 2013, 7:00 p.m. AP Tests: May SAT March 10, June 2 AP Tests: May SAT March 10, June 2