1. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results PSAT Parent Night January 21, 2010 6 pm

2. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results What is the PSAT/NMSQT? Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

3. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results The PSAT is the test selected to serve as the initial screening instrument for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.

4. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results You’re familiar with EPAS 8 th grade: EXPLORE 10 th grade: PLAN 11 th & 12 th grades: ACT

5. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results PSAT and SAT are tests of reasoning and logic. They do not require students to recall specific facts from coursework.

6. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results PSAT measures: critical reading skills math problem-solving skills writing skills

7. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results Our 9 th and 10 th grade honors students took the test to… 1.receive practice and exposure 2.receive feedback on strengths and weaknesses regarding skills necessary for college study 11 th graders can compete for scholarships

8. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results The PSAT and the National Merit Scholarship Program

9. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results What is the National Merit Scholarship Program? The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition that began in 1955. Approximately 1.3 million high school Juniors from throughout the United States enter the National Merit Scholarship competition by taking the PSAT/NMSQT® & by meeting other program requirements.PSAT/NMSQT®

10. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results What is the National Merit Scholarship Program? This program awards scholarships and recognition to students who receive high scores on the PSAT on a state by state basis. About 55,000 students are recognized through this program each year. Students may be recognized, based on their scores, as commended students, semifinalists, finalists, and National Merit Scholars.

11. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results What is the National Merit Scholarship Program? Through this program, the names of students with high scores will be sent to other programs. Some of these other programs are the National Achievement Program, National Hispanic Recognition Program, and the programs sponsored by the Telluride Association

12. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results What is the National Achievement Program? The National Achievement Program is an academic competition set up in 1964 to recognize outstanding Black American high school students. Black students enter both the National Achievement Program and the National Merit® Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT® and meeting other published requirements for participation. PSAT/NMSQT®

13. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results What is the National Hispanic Program? The National Hispanic Recognition Program was established in 1983 to recognize Hispanic students with high scores on the PSAT/NMSQT® PSAT/NMSQT® To qualify a student must be at least 1/4 th Hispanic. Defined as a person of Mexican- American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish origins.

14. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results ALL JUNIORS SHOULD TAKE THE PSAT/NMSQT!!!! WHY? Taking the PSAT in October of the Junior year of high school is the only way to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

15. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results ALL JUNIORS SHOULD TAKE THE PSAT/NMSQT! WHY? To become familiar with the types of questions and the exact directions on the SAT. To prepare for the type of scoring and test taking skills used on AP tests. To receive information from colleges and open doors to colleges throughout the country.

16. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results How Do Students Become National Merit Scholars? Of the 1.3 million entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT/NMSQT® Selection Index scores (verbal + math + writing skills scores) will qualify for recognition in the National Merit® Scholarship Program. (Top 3% to 4% of juniors in the US)PSAT/NMSQT®

17. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results How Do Students Become National Merit Scholars? The Selection Index Scores which are used to determine the top students vary from state to state and from year to year. They are based on the number of students in a state who took the test and their scores. Louisiana seniors 2005-2006 had to have made at least 207 out of a possible 240 to be a semifinalist.

18. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results How Do Students Become National Merit Scholars? In September of their senior year, these high scorers will be notified through their schools that they have qualified as either a Commended Student or Semifinalist. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must take the SAT.

19. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results How Do Students Become National Merit Scholars? In February of their senior year, some 15,000 Semifinalists and their High school principals will be notified by mail that they have advanced to Finalist standing. Beginning in March, NMSC will notify approximately 8,000 Finalists that they have been selected to receive a Merit Scholarship® award.

20. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results THE PSAT TEST PREP CLASS This course was designed by two Texas teachers who wanted to help their high scoring students improve their PSAT and SAT scores enough to become National Merit Scholars. It is based years of research of the test and of the types of “traps” students “fall into” while taking the test.

21. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results THE PSAT TEST PREP CLASS Teaches PSAT vocabulary, test taking skills, reasoning skills, and strategies to use on the PSAT and SAT tests. Gives hours of practice using actual test questions and an opportunity to see what is right or wrong with their answers. Results in 15 – 25 point higher scores for the majority of students who take it

22. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results THE PSAT TEST PREP CLASS Zachary High only had 1 National Merit Scholar in its history before this class was started in EBR. Since this program was initiated ZHS has had 4 National Merit Semifinalists and 3 National Achievement Semifinalists. Two of our semifinalists went on to be finalists and National Merit Scholars.

23. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results 5 Major Parts of Your PSAT/NMSQT Results Your Scores Review Your Answers Improve Your Skills Your Educational Plans 3 Test Sections Critical Reading Mathematics Writing Skills Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results NMSC Programs

24. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results Your Scores If you are a junior, your scores are compared to those of other juniors. If you are a sophomore or younger student, then your scores are compared to those of sophomores.

25. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results Review Your Answers You will get your original test book back with your PSAT/NMSQT results, so that you can review the test questions. You may also review each test question by logging in to My College QuickStart.

26. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results Review Your Answers: Mathematics Alg = Algebra & Functions Data = Data Analysis, Statistics & Probability Geom = Geometry & Measurement Num = Number & Operations

27. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results Review Your Answers: Student-Produced Responses The written answers are not scored. Only answers gridded in the ovals are scored.

28. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results Correct answer = plus 1 point Omitted answer = no points Wrong answer on multiple-choice question = minus ¼ point Wrong answer on student-produced response question = No points lost Answer Summary & Scoring

29. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results The skills listed are based on your individual performance. Follow the suggestions noted in “how to improve” and work with your teachers. Review skills using questions listed. Improve Your Skills

30. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results 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.

31. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results Based on the college major you provided on your answer sheet, this section will give you: -Description of that major -Skills associated with that major -Recommended high school courses for that major Your Educational Plans

32. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results The access code that you may use to set up a My College QuickStart account is located in several places on the score report. Use the access code at www.collegeboard.com/quickstart to set up your account.www.collegeboard.com/quickstart Your access will last through to the end of high school. My College QuickStart™

33. Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Results My College QuickStart™