1. PSAT Prep: Tips and Strategies Presented by: Cheryl Hutchinson Diane Scott Seneca Ridge Middle School September 26, 2011

2. What is the PSAT/NMSQT? It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT, gives you a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and the application test when applying to AOS.

3. Know the Test  The PSAT/NMSQT includes five sections Two 25-minute critical reading sections (sections 1 & 3) Two 25-minute math sections (sections 2 & 4) One 30-minute writing skills section (section 5)  AOS adds a 30 minute timed writing prompt

4. General Tips Take practice timed tests Know the topics/sections of the test Learn the directions ahead of time Keep track of the time Can’t flip between sections Can flip back and forth within a section Skip hard ones and come back to them Mark answers in testing booklet and grid five or more answer at a time Beware of answers being TOO easy – read carefully Cover the answer choices and predict the answer Don’t spend too much time on any one question - don’t 2 nd guess yourself

5. Scoring  1 point for each correct answer  -1/4 of a point for each wrong answer  0 point for skipped questions  0 point for wrong answers on the Grid-in  50/50 guessing

6. Math Strategies  Take practice timed tests  Know the sub-topics/sections of the test 25 minutes each 28 Regular multiple choice 10 Grid-in  Two types: Multiple choice Self-answer Grid-in– Never skip the Grid-in Questions (you can only earn points)  Arranged easiest to hardest

7. Math Strategies  Review Algebra I and Geometry skills  Calculators are allowed but could slow you down  Formulas are provided at the beginning of all math sections  Review common math terms such as quotient, absolute value, prime, variable etc)

8. Reading Strategies  Take practice timed tests  Know the sub-topics/sections of the test 25 minutes each 13 Sentence Completion (single and double blanks) 35 Reading Comprehension including short, long and pair-passage sets

9. Reading Strategies  Positive/Negative Charges to a word  Sentence Completion arranges easiest to hardest  Reading Comprehension – NOT in order of difficulty

10. Writing Strategies TTake practice timed tests KKnow the sub-topics/sections of the test 30 minutes each 20 Improving Sentences 14 Identifying Sentence Errors 5 Improving Paragraphs

11. Writing Strategies  Positive/Negative Charges to a word  Sentence Errors and Improving Sentences - arranged easiest to hardest within each section  Improving Paragraphs– NOT in order of difficulty

12. Essay Strategies  Practice writing to a prompt timed (30 minutes) 1 minute read the prompt 5 minutes plan your essay 20 minutes write your essay 4 minutes review/re-read for errors/additions Not an official part of the PSAT/NMSQT by College Board  Write it like you would write the essay for the SAT (three practice prompts are on the school website)  Stay on topic and support with evidence  3-5 paragraphs

13. Reference Materials  College Board PSAT website http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html  Kaplan PSAT/NMSQT Premier 2011  Kaplan Inside the SAT  The Princeton Review-Cracking the PSAT 2012  Gruber’s Complete PSAT/NMSQT Guide 2012  Barron’s PSAT/NMSQT 2012

14. Where To Go From Here?  Parent Resource Center http://www.lcps.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=7575&V iewID=7b97f7ed-8e5e-4120-848f- a8b4987d588f&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=8135&PageID=1413 http://www.lcps.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=7575&V iewID=7b97f7ed-8e5e-4120-848f- a8b4987d588f&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=8135&PageID=1413  Private Group Tutoring (timed tests and strategies)  Three practice test dates - Cascades Library Reading – Thursday, September 29 th 4:30-6:30 Writing/Essay – Monday, October 3 rd 4:30-6:30 Math – Tuesday, October 4 th 4:30-6:30  Sign-up and fees – Fill out the form and attach payment per session and hand to one of us by the day before the session to guarantee a spot and the session.  6-20 students per session – (first come, first serve)