S A T E n g l i s h P r e p C l a s s | Mrs. Roney Name: _____________________ MP #1 / HO#: 2 Overview of New SAT / PSAT/NMSQT Tests1 Keep this handout in your Notebook as we progress through the year. Reading Test https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/test-design/reading In the Reading Test, students will encounter questions like those asked in a lively, thoughtful, evidence-based discussion. Quick Facts All Reading Test questions are multiple choice (4 answer choices of A, B, C, D) and based on passages. Some passages are paired with other passages or informational graphics, such as charts, graphs, and tables. No mathematical computation is required. Prior topic-specific knowledge is never tested. The Reading-Writing Connection All assessments in the SAT Suite of Assessments will include a Reading Test and a Writing and Language Test. A student’s scores on these two tests are combined to arrive at a section score for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. The exam structure reflects the relationship between these two literacy skills and their shared focus on textual evidence, relevant words in context, and application of skills across the curriculum. Passages All Reading Test passages are selected from previously published works and represent some of the best writing and thinking in the fields of classic and contemporary U.S. and world literature, history/social studies, and science. The passages on the Reading Test vary in complexity, ranging from texts like those found in challenging courses in grades nine and 10 to texts comparable to those assigned in typical college-level, credit-bearing courses. The test asks students to base their answers on what is stated or implied in the passages and any accompanying supplementary material, such as informational graphics. Some history and social studies passages are selections from U.S. founding documents and the texts they have inspired. Engaging and often culturally and historically important, they wrestle with problems at the heart of civic and political life. Other passages discuss topics in economics, psychology, sociology, and other social sciences. 1 This handout has really good information and suggestions for you that apply to both the PSAT and the SAT! Read carefully! Highlight sections! Take notes in the margins! That’s good careful reading practice! 1|Page Science passages examine both foundational concepts and recent developments in biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth science. Distinctive Features The Reading Test will support the redesigned SAT’s emphasis on analysis in history/social studies passages; the interpretation of words in context and command of evidence will be highlighted in science passages. Literacy across the curriculum is of primary importance; questions will test students on analysis in history/social studies and analysis in science. In many cases, students will need to make use of the ways of thinking important to a particular field to analyze passages and graphics. For example: Science passages may be paired with questions focused on hypotheses, experimentation, and data. Literature passages may be paired with questions focused on theme, mood, and characterization. “SAT words” will no longer be vocabulary students may not have heard before and are not likely to hear again. Instead, the SAT will focus on words that derive their meaning from the contexts in which they are used. Some questions will test how well students understand words in context. These are words and phrases used widely in college and career texts, the meaning of which depends on how they’re used in particular situations. Students will need to use the context clues they find in passages to determine the precise meaning of words and phrases that the author intended. The Reading Test will assess three facets of command of evidence: The use of evidence: Students will need to find the evidence in a passage that best supports the answer to a previous question or that serves as the basis for a reasonable conclusion. The analysis of an argument: Students will need to identify the way authors use evidence to support their claims. The analysis of quantitative information: Students will need to examine informational graphics and relate the information conveyed by them to the information and ideas conveyed through words. Informational Graphics The Reading Test includes two passages accompanied by one or two related graphics (for example, charts, graphs, or tables). Students will be asked to interpret a graphic’s meaning and make connections between graphic and passage. However, they’ll never need to use mathematical computation to answer the questions. Sample Questions Learn about the Reading Test firsthand by viewing sample questions from the redesigned SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, and PSAT™ 10. Each exam will include Reading questions from three skill categories that connect to two subscores. 2|Page Writing and Language Test https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/test-design/writing-language The Writing and Language Test puts students in the active role of an editor who is improving a written passage. Most questions ask students to decide which, if any, of the three alternatives to an underlined part of a passage most improves it. Quick Facts All Writing and Language Test questions are multiple choice and based on passages. Some passages are paired with informational graphics such as charts, graphs, and tables. Prior topic-specific knowledge is never tested. No mathematical computation is required. The Reading–Writing Connection All components of the redesigned SAT Suite of Assessments will include a Reading Test and a Writing and Language Test. A student’s scores on these two tests are combined to arrive at a section score for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. The test structure reflects the relationship between these two literacy skills and their shared focus on textual evidence, words in context, and application of skills across the curriculum. Passages All Writing and Language passages will be created especially for the test so that errors can be intentionally introduced. Passages will be several paragraphs long so that students can engage in complex, real-world revision and editing tasks, and students will often need to have a good understanding of one or more paragraphs, or even the entire passage, to answer a particular question. The passages on the Writing and Language Test vary in complexity, ranging from texts like those found in challenging courses in grades 9 and 10 to texts comparable to those found in typical college-level, credit-bearing courses. Passages take the form of arguments, informative/explanatory texts, or nonfiction narratives. They address topics related to careers, history/social studies, the humanities, and science. Distinctive Features The Writing and Language Test will support the redesigned SAT’s emphasis on analysis in history/social studies passages, and the interpretation of words in context and command of evidence in science passages. Some questions will test students on the expression of ideas. These questions ask students to improve topic development, organization, and rhetorical effectiveness. This category includes passages on the topics of science and history/social studies. Thus, some Writing and Language Test questions will also test students on analysis in science and analysis in history/social studies. Other questions test students on their understanding of standard English conventions. These ask students to edit text so that words, phrases, sentences, and punctuation are used appropriately and in a way that is consistent with the practices of standard written English. As on the Reading Test, some Writing and Language Test questions assess how well students understand words in context. These questions ask students to improve passages by using words carefully and with purpose. 3|Page Students’ command of evidence is also assessed by some questions on the Writing and Language Test, as on the Reading Test. These questions assess how well students revise a passage to improve the way it develops information and ideas. Informational Graphics The Writing and Language Test includes some passages that are paired with tables, charts, graphs, and other informational graphics. Students will be asked to draw connections between the graphics and the text they accompany. For example, students might need to correct a passage’s inaccurate interpretation of the data presented in a table or to improve the clarity or precision of that interpretation. However, they’ll never need to use mathematical computation to answer the questions. Sample Questions Learn about the Writing and Language Test firsthand by viewing sample questions for the redesigned SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, and PSAT™ 10. Each assessment will include Writing and Language questions that connect to two subscores shared with the Reading Test and two subscores that are unique to the Writing and Language Test. SAT Essay https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/test-design/essay The redesigned SAT Essay will assess whether students can demonstrate college and career readiness proficiency in reading, writing, and analysis. The SAT Essay will ask students to demonstrate comprehension of a high-quality source text by producing a cogent and clear written analysis of that text supported by critical reasoning and evidence drawn from the source. Students will be asked to: Read a passage. Explain how the author builds an argument to persuade an audience. Support their explanation with evidence from the passage. Important SAT Only: The SAT Essay is available on the SAT, but not on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or PSAT 8/9.2 Quick Facts The redesigned SAT Essay closely mirrors common postsecondary writing assignments. It will be scored using clearly defined and widely communicated criteria focused on reading, analysis, and writing. The source text will change every time the SAT is given, but the task will stay the same. Prior topic-specific knowledge is never tested. 2 You won’t need to worry about the SAT Essay for the PSAT; however, we will be diving into it probably in the 3 rd marking period. I wanted you to have an overview of it for future reference. 4|Page Important Changes The redesigned SAT Essay differs from the essay section on the current SAT in several important ways: Students will have 50 minutes to complete their essay — not 25, as is the case on the current SAT. Students will no longer be asked to agree or disagree with a position on a topic or to write about their personal experience. The SAT Essay will no longer be required of everyone who takes the SAT; individual colleges and universities will determine whether they choose to require SAT Essay scores from prospective students. View college SAT Essay policies. The three SAT Essay scores will be reported separately from each other (rather than combined into a single score) and from the other scores on the test.3 Passages All passages are selected from previously published, high-quality sources. Passages will vary each time the test is given, but all will: Address a broad audience. Convey an argument. Express nuanced views on complex subjects. Use logical reasoning and various forms of evidence to support substantive claims. Examine ideas, debates, trends, and the like in the arts, the sciences, and civic, cultural, and political life. The passages are carefully chosen to ensure that they are appropriately and consistently complex — challenging enough to assess college and career readiness but not so challenging that they keep students from responding under timed conditions. Reading, Analysis, Writing Students’ essays should demonstrate an understanding of the passage and use evidence from the passage to support an effective, well-written analysis of how the author builds an argument to persuade an audience. Students will be instructed to focus their discussion on the passage’s most relevant features. Essays should make purposeful, selective, substantive use of quotations and paraphrases in a way that supports students’ analysis. Students’ essays are evaluated in terms of reading, analysis, and writing: Reading: Successful essays demonstrate thorough comprehension of the passage, including the interplay of central ideas and important details, and use textual evidence effectively. Analysis: Successful essays demonstrate skill in evaluating the author’s use of evidence, reasoning, style, and other stylistic or persuasive techniques and support and develop claims with well-chosen evidence from the passage. 3 Note: Students who take the current SAT before spring 2016 must complete an essay; their essay scores contribute to the Writing and composite scores. Learn more about the current SAT essay. Go to the College Board website at https://sat.collegeboard.org/home. NOTE: Most of you in this class will not have to worry about the current essay as you won’t take the SAT until March 2016 or later. 5|Page Writing: Successful essays are focused, organized, and precise, with an appropriate style and tone that varies sentence structure and follows the conventions of standard written English. View Scored Sample Essays Every SAT Essay will be read by two scorers. Each scorer will award 1 to 4 points each in reading, analysis, and writing. The scores will be combined for a total of 2 to 8 points in each of the three categories. Essay Scoring All scorers will read essays using the same set of detailed criteria. These criteria are clearly stated in the rubric, which describes the characteristics shared by essays earning the same score point in each category. Sample Essays Learn about the SAT Essay firsthand by viewing two sample essay prompts — each with eight scored responses. Signing Up for the SAT Essay Students will be able to sign up for the SAT Essay when they register for the SAT, or in the days leading up to test day. As colleges decide whether to require the SAT Essay, the College Board will post that information online. As always, students should check the websites of the colleges they’re interested in for the latest information. Students using SAT fee waivers will be able to sign up for the SAT Essay at no cost. Score Choice Score ChoiceTM will continue to work as it does today. Consistent with the policies of the schools they are applying to, students who take the SAT more than once may choose which scores to send to colleges. All section scores from a selected date, including the SAT Essay score, will be reported and used in accordance with each school’s stated score-use practices. Key Content Changes https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/test-design/key-changes The SAT Suite of Assessments includes the redesigned SAT and PSAT/NMSQT, as well as the new PSAT 10 and the PSAT 8/9. Tightly aligned, all assessments include a Reading Test, a Writing and Language Test, and a Math Test. The SAT will have an optional essay component, which some colleges will require. Questions throughout the assessments will focus on the few things that research shows matter most for college readiness and success. Words in Context Many questions on the redesigned assessments will focus on important, widely used words and phrases found in texts in many different subjects. The focus of these questions will be on determining the meaning or implications of these words and phrases in the contexts in which they are used. This is demanding but rewarding work centered on words and phrases that students use throughout their lives — in high school, college or workforce training, and beyond. 6|Page No longer will students use flashcards to memorize obscure words, only to forget them the minute they put their test pencils down. The redesigned exams will engage students in close reading and honor the best work of the classroom. Command of Evidence When students take the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing sections of the assessments and the SAT Essay, they’ll be asked to demonstrate their ability to interpret, synthesize, and use evidence found in a wide range of sources. These sources include informational graphics, such as tables, charts, and graphs, as well as multiparagraph passages in the areas of literature and literary nonfiction, the humanities, science, history, and social studies, and on topics about work and careers. For every passage or pair of passages students read on the Reading Test, at least one question asks them to decide which part of the text best supports the answer to the previous question. In other cases, students will be asked to integrate the information conveyed through words and graphics in order to find the best answer to a question. Questions on the Writing and Language Test will also focus on command of evidence. Students will be asked, for example, to analyze sequences of sentences or paragraphs to make sure they are logical. In other questions, students will be asked to interpret graphics and to edit a portion of the accompanying passage so that it clearly and accurately conveys the information in the graphics. The SAT Essay will also require students to demonstrate command of evidence. Students analyze a provided source text to determine how the author builds an argument to persuade an audience through the use of evidence, reasoning, and/or stylistic and persuasive devices. They're asked to write a cogent and clear analysis supported by critical reasoning and evidence drawn from the source. Essay Analyzing a Source The focus of the Essay on the redesigned SAT will be very different from that of the essay on the current SAT. In the new format, students will read a passage and explain how the author builds an argument to persuade an audience. Students may analyze such aspects of the passage as the author’s use of evidence, reasoning, and stylistic and persuasive elements. This task more closely mirrors college writing assignments. The new Essay is designed to support high school students and teachers as they cultivate close reading, careful analysis, and clear writing. It will promote the practice of reading a wide variety of arguments and analyzing how authors do their work as writers. The Essay prompt will remain consistent; only the source material (passage) will change. The Essay will be an optional component of the SAT, although some school districts and colleges may require it. The SAT is the only assessment in the SAT Suite that includes the Essay. Learn more about the Essay. Problems Grounded in Real-World Contexts Throughout the assessments in the SAT Suite, students will engage with questions grounded in the real world and directly related to the work performed in college and career. 7|Page The Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section will include questions on literature and literary nonfiction, but will also feature charts, graphs, and passages like the ones students are likely to encounter in science, social science, and other majors and careers. Students will be asked to do more than correct errors; they’ll edit and revise to improve texts from the humanities, history, social science, and career contexts. Analysis in Science and in History/Social Studies When students take assessments in the SAT Suite, they will be asked to apply their reading, writing, language, and math knowledge and skills to answer questions in science, history, and social studies contexts. In this way, the assessments will call on the same sorts of knowledge and skills that students will use in college, in their jobs, and throughout their lives to make sense of recent discoveries, political developments, global events, and health and environmental issues. Students will encounter challenging texts and informational graphics that pertain to the aforementioned issues and topics in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section and the Math section. Questions will require them to read and comprehend texts, revise texts to be consistent with data presented in graphics, synthesize information presented through texts and graphics, and solve problems grounded in science and social science contexts. The Great Global Conversation and U.S. Founding Documents The U.S. founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Federalist Papers, have been inspired by and have helped to inspire a conversation that continues to this day about the nature of civic life. Authors, speakers, and thinkers from the United States and around the world, including Edmund Burke, Mary Wollstonecraft, Nelson Mandela, and Mohandas Gandhi, have broadened and deepened the conversation around such vital matters as freedom, justice, and human dignity. Every time students take an assessment in the SAT Suite, they will encounter a passage from a text from this global conversation. In this way, the assessments will inspire a close reading of these rich, meaningful, often profound texts, not only as a way to develop valuable college and career readiness skills but also as an opportunity to reflect on and deeply engage with issues and concerns central to informed citizenship. No Penalty for Guessing!!!!!! The SAT Suite of Assessments will not deduct points for incorrect answers. Students will earn points for the questions they answer correctly. This move to rights-only scoring encourages students to give the best answer they have to every question. SAT Redesign Specifications https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/test-design/redesign-specifications This high-level comparison between the current SAT and the redesigned SAT highlights major design features of the two tests. The first table provides a comparison of the major features of the current SAT and redesigned SAT. The second table provides a comparison by test, including the number of items and testing time. It is important to note that while the information in these tables represents our best understanding of the nature and features of 8|Page the redesigned SAT, some specific elements, such as timing, length, and reported scores, are subject to revision based on the ongoing research process that guides the redesign. Major Features Compared Comparison of the Major Features: Current SAT and Redesigned SAT Category Current SAT Redesigned SAT 3 hours and 45 minutes 3 hours (plus 50 minutes for the Essay [optional]) Total Testing Time* *Redesigned SAT testing time subject to research Components 1. 2. 3. 4. Critical Reading Writing Mathematics Essay 1. Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Reading Test Writing and Language Test 2. Math 3. Essay (optional) Important Features Essay Score Emphasis on general reasoning skills Emphasis on vocabulary, often in limited contexts Complex scoring (a point for a correct answer and a deduction for an incorrect answer; blank responses have no impact on scores) Required and given at the beginning of the SAT 25 minutes to write the essay Tests writing skill; students take a position on a presented issue Scale ranging from 600 to 2400 Continued emphasis on reasoning alongside a clearer, stronger focus on the knowledge, skills, and understandings most important for college and career readiness and success Greater emphasis on the meaning of words in extended contexts and on how word choice shapes meaning, tone, and impact Rights-only scoring (a point for a correct answer but no deduction for an incorrect answer; blank responses have no impact on scores) Optional and given at the end of the SAT; postsecondary institutions determine whether they will require the Essay for admission 50 minutes to write the essay Tests reading, analysis, and writing skills; students produce a written analysis of a provided source text Scale ranging from 400 to 1600 Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for 9|Page Comparison of the Major Features: Current SAT and Redesigned SAT Category Current SAT Reporting* *Redesigned SAT scores Redesigned SAT Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for Critical Reading; 200 to 800 for Mathematics; 200 to 800 for Writing Essay results scaled to multiple-choice Writing Evidence-Based Reading and Writing; 200 to 800 for Math; 2 to 8 on each of three dimensions for Essay Essay results reported separately subject to research Subscore Reporting Subscores for every test, providing added insight for students, parents, admission officers, educators, and counselors None Test Length and Timing Compared Comparison of Test Length and Timing: Current SAT and Redesigned SAT Current SAT Redesigned SAT Component Time Allotted (min.) Number of Questions/ Tasks Component Number of Time Allotted Questions/ (min.) Tasks Critical Reading 70 67 Reading 65 52 Writing 60 49 Writing and Language 35 44 Essay 25 1 Essay (optional) 50 1 Mathematics 70 54 Math 80 58 Total 171 Total 180 (230 with Essay) 154 (155 with Essay) 225 The following sections are from this source (which you can order, too!): Stuart, Brian W., M.Ed, ed. Strategies and Practice for the New PSAT/NMSQT. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 2015. Print. 10 | P a g e How is the new PSAT different from the SAT? The new PSAT and SAT are far more similar than they are different. They both have the same types of math, writing, and reading questions. Preparing for the PSAT will definitely help you prepare for the SAT, just as preparing for a half-marathon will help you prepare for a full marathon. The PSAT is different from the SAT in three important ways: The PSAT is shorter than the SAT The PSAT is primarily for the National Merit Scholarship contest, while the SAT is primarily for college admission. The PSAT does NOT have an essay, while the SAT has an optional in-depth essay. The PSAT is administered once a year, while the SAT is administered several times a year.4 What should I do before the PSAT? The new PSAT and SAT are far more similar than they are different. They both have the same types of math, writing, and reading questions. Preparing for the PSAT will definitely help you prepare for the SAT, just as preparing for a half-marathon will help you prepare for a full marathon. The PSAT is different from the SAT in three important ways: Go to bed at a reasonable hour starting a week before the test. If you wait until the night before the test to get a good night’s sleep, you may not be rested enough come test day. After all, calming down and relaxing the night before a major assessment can be extremely difficult. Know the test directions – you do not want to waste time reading the directions on each section. At a minimum, now that you SHOULD INCLUDE AN ANSWER for every question since there is no longer a guessing penalty. Become comfortable with timing. Do at least some practice with timing so you will not work too quickly or too slowly on test day. What should I bring to the PSAT? A scientific or graphing calculator; see www.collegeboard.org/psat/nmsqt/approved calculators for a list of acceptable calculators. Several sharpened #2 pencils. A watch to monitor your pacing (bring one that doesn’t make any noise). If you are taking the test at a school different from your own, bring a photo ID. Have a professional-sounding e-mail address you can use to receive information from colleges, and enter it on your answer document.5 4 NPSD gives the PSAT to all sophomores in order for you, your parents/guardians, and your teachers/administrators to have a snap-shot of how you might do on the SAT if you took it now, what you skills you need to work on to prepare for the SAT in your junior year, and, since the PSAT / SAT are now linked to the National Core Standards, which are essentially the same as the Pennsylvania Core Standards upon which the Keystone Tests are based, we all get an idea of what skills you need to focus on for the Keystone Exam. Juniors – you should sign-up for the PSAT as well! 5 This is the time to create an email account that isn’t “myfavoritedogelsa@whatever my carrier is.com”, but something like “firstname.lastname@...” Do it on gmail if need be. Then ONLY use this email for SAT/College stuff and eventually your professional life – like sending out resumes or such. Remember this email address and set up your account and password (remember it, too!) at the College Board website. You’ll get a lot of great information and even recruitment 11 | P a g e Do NOT bring snacks, drinks, or a cell phone into the room.6 You will have a break, so you may want to have a snack at that time.7 How can I manage my test anxiety on the PSAT? With only one shot to perform well on the PSAT for National Merit consideration8 taking the PSAT can be a very stressful process. Being nervous is normal. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you find anxiety interfering with your ability to perform at your best: When it comes to college admissions, how you perform on the actual SAT and/or ACT will be much more important than your PSAT performance. You will have many opportunities to take the SAT and/or ACT. Colleges will receive your scores only if you opt-in to the informational services. Everyone else taking the PSAT in 2015 will be doing so for the first time under the new system. You are absolutely not alone if you feel stressed about the uncertainty. Your performance will be measured against that of others who are in the same situation as you. Mentally rehearse ahead of time to think about how you can best respond to the pressure of the PSAT. Are you someone who tends to rush through tests? Instead, are you someone who tends to get stuck on questions? Knowing your tendencies will help you recognize if your thought process is off track, enabling you to made adjustments on test day. Realize that if the PSAT does not go well even after quite a bit of preparation, you will have built skills that will help you on both the SAT and ACT since those two tests have very similar questions to much of what you will find on the PSAT.9 The following sections are from this source (which you can order, too!): The Staff of the Princeton Review. Workout for the New PSAT/NMSQT. New York: Penquin Random House, 2015. Print. Princeton Review Techniques and Strategies Think about the last time you set out to accomplish something: whether it’s taking a photo, recording a song, building a cabinet, or writing a screenplay, you probably used all the tools at your disposal to get the job done. The PSAT is no different from any other task – just as you wouldn’t attempt to film a movie without a video camera or a boom mike, you wouldn’t want to take this test without the skills and strategies that will bst help you to succeed. from colleges that have the disciplines and majors you want to pursue. You might even learn about a college, career, or scholarship that is just perfect for you but about which you have never heard! DO IT TODAY!!!! 6 When the PSAT is administered at NPHS, the teacher/administrator will take your cell phone from you and log it in a safe place. But it MUST be turned off. Any interruption in the test may negate the test for everyone in the room. People will be very angry at you!!! 7 Use the rest room BEFORE the test begins. You won’t be allowed out of the room during testing AND the break is short and the bathrooms get very crowded! 8 Juniors only are considered for the National Merit Scholarship – and that is why you should schedule the PSAT on October 14 as well as testing where you are in your skills; however, sophomores you want to do your best work, too, because of also evaluating your skills and test-readiness for the Keystones and next year’s PSAT (when the National Merit Scholarship will apply to you) and SATs and/or ACTs! 9 The PSAT will be scored on a curve. So if the test seems more difficult or easier than you thought is would be, do not worry. Everyone is taking the same test, and the curve will reflect how people did. 12 | P a g e [Practicing with actual testing questions] is what we at The Princeton Review affectionately call “drill and kill” . . . offering gobs of practice problems and detailed answers and explanations [lead to better results]. . . . Let’s introduce some of the shorthand terms that you might see [or use] in your PSAT [or SAT] practice problems. POE10. There are many more wrong answers on the PSAT than there are credited answers, so on some of the more difficult questions, you’ll be well served by not trying to find the best answer, but rather finding the wrong answers and using POE, Process of Elimination. Even if you aren’t quite sure of the correct answer, you can guess strategically by eliminating a few choices that you know are incorrect and then taking your best guess.11 Ballparking. Ballparking helps you eliminate answer choices and increase your odds of zeroing in on the correct answer by eliminating any answer choices that are “out of the ballpark.” PITA. Plugging in the Answers tends to be a function used more on the math sections where you might substitute real numbers for in algebra problems to turn them into arithmetic problems. But you can also do this strategy in Reading and Writing by substituting the underlined sections with the possible selections in the multiple choice answers. OK. Now what? [Mrs. Roney talking now!] It’s time to dive into some practice questions and begin exploring directions, types of questions, and the most common skills that the PSAT and SAT test. Remember: you don’t have to “cram” for the test, but use your best reading and writing skills, and what you already know about grammar and such! As we work through exercises, I will expect you to keep notes on what skills (and questions) you succeed at and in which you have confidence. But even more important, keep a list of those skills and questions that trip you up – even sometimes! Those are the ones you need to practice in class and, OK, think about this, practice on your own. The best part about the new structure and content of the PSAT – and eventually the SAT – is that you will be reading some very interesting fiction and non-fiction selections. You may be familiar with some material, but I’m having fun adding to my knowledge as I work through these practice exercises and tests. I hope you will, too. Learning comes in many forms even on tests! So, let the adventure (& learning) begin! 10 Not the guy who wrote “The Raven”, “The Bells”, or “The Tell-Tale Heart” – but you should know him, Mr. Edgar Allan Poe; his work might show up in a PSAT or SAT! In fact the best “studying” you can do for the PSAT & SAT is to read everyday and everything you can. Reading books will help your reading comprehension, your ability to pick up the meaning of vocabulary in context, and your feel for English Grammar! SO READ!!!! 11 Remember: wrong answers no longer count against you! Don’t leave blanks! 13 | P a g e