PSAT/SAT REVIEW COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE #1449.H000.A
SPRING SEMESTER 2016
GRADE: 11
CREDIT: 1 semester Honors elective
INSTRUCTORS:
Verbal: Jamie Stanley
Room: 325
Voice Mail: 841-1987
E-mail: jamie.stanley@austinisd.org
Math: Vance Boyter
Room: 397
Voice Mail: 841-2016
E-mail: vance.boyter@austinisd.org
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Description:
The PSAT/SAT review is an elective course that focuses on the skills, strategies, and content
knowledge necessary for success on the college admission exam. This course will allow students
to evaluate and strengthen their performance in preparation for both the PSAT test in October
and the SAT test following completion of the course. The verbal section will review vocabulary,
sentence completion, critical reading, grammar, and composition. The math section will review
skills in numeration, functions, geometry, and data analysis. The course will also offer fulllength practice tests both in and out of class. If students do not wish this course to factor into
their GPA, they may elect to take this course on a pass/fail basis. The appropriate forms are
available in the registrar’s office.
Effort and Performance:
Students are expected to be on time and prepared for class with all necessary materials.
Attendance is of vital importance, as much of the work will be done in class. Homework is
assigned daily and displayed in the room. Success in this course is primarily based on the
student's willingness and ability to take efficient notes and do the required class work and
homework.
Schedule:
In order to review both the math and verbal sections, students will spend half of each period with
one teacher and then switch to the other teacher. This switching will require some flexibility on
the part of the students, but we will provide students with schedules of the switches and the
major quiz dates.
Required Materials:
1 ½ inch 3-ring binder with 4 tab dividers (see section titles below)
pencils and paper
calculator- scientific or graphing (TI-83, TI-83+, or TI-84 would be appropriate)
You will need a 3-ring,
CLASS INFO
-class calendar
-course syllabus
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1
2
SAT BINDER SECTIONS
” binder with dividers labeled as follows:
VERBAL
-Verbal notes
-flash cards/
flash sheets
-vocab quizzes
MATH
-math notes
-math quizzes
PRACTICE
TESTS
-Chart
-PSAT/SAT
Practice Tests
-Scoring Guides
Grading Guidelines:
Verbal:
 Weekly vocabulary quizzes: 35%
o Quiz grades include creation of vocabulary learning aids.
o Each week’s learning aids and vocabulary quiz must be completed prior to the
next week’s vocabulary quiz.
 Classroom and homework assignments: 15%
Math:
 Math quizzes and notebook quizzes: 35%
o Quizzes must be made up within two days of an absence.
 Classroom and homework assignments: 15%
Late Classroom and Homework Assignments: Students will be allowed to make up work
within two days for the first documented absence and one day for each absence thereafter.
*Late Homework Policy:
Late homework will be graded as follows: 1 (calendar) day late: 70%, 2 days late: 50%, 3
days late: 10%. After 3 days late work will not be accepted. These assignments will also be
checked for correctness (50%) and work shown to support your answer (50%).
All homework is due by tardy bell.
*If the student is absent the day before a test, they will still be responsible for taking the
test on the regular test day. If the student is absent the day of the test, they will need to take the
test upon return to school (see calendar).
*It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements for any work missed due to
absences. Tests or quizzes missed will be made up upon return to school before or after school
by appointment. If a student is aware of an impending absence (school related or otherwise),
arrangements should be made BEFORE the absence.
Additional information about the SAT test can be found at www.collegeboard.com
January 5, 2016
Dear Parents of SAT Prep Class Students,
We are excited to welcome your students to the class, and we would also like to welcome you to
our team. We hope to prepare the students to score well on the PSAT and SAT so that they can
gain admission to their preferred colleges and so that they can compete for scholarships to those
colleges. Together, we can help these students, and we welcome your support toward this end.
We would like to suggest a few ways you can help prepare your student:

Help your student study for vocabulary. We will review common SAT vocabulary words
from multiple sources, and students will need to create flash cards or lists of these words
for study. You can help by quizzing your son/daughter weekly over these words or by
helping them set aside study time for this purpose.

Encourage your son/daughter to seriously devote time and energy to complete all
assignments. Students may expect class assignments as well as homework assignments
to provide as much experience and individual feedback as possible prior to an actual SAT
test. This work is vital to helping the students score well on the SAT and reaping the
benefits of a high score.
This class is offered as an elective credit and may be included in the GPA or taken on a pass/fail
basis for no grade. Students will indicate their choice during the first six weeks of the semester.
If you would like more information about pass/fail, please contact our registrar, Josie Santiago at
414-7218.
We are convinced that this will be a positive and productive experience for students. This course
is an excellent opportunity to receive a semester of SAT training during school hours. With your
help and your student’s commitment, your student will leave the course thoroughly prepared for
the SAT.
Sincerely,
Vance Boyter
Jamie Stanley
Please keep the previous pages for future reference.
Please sign below indicating that you have read the syllabus and understood the requirements and
expectations of the course.
SPRING PSAT/SAT REVIEW CLASS
I have read and understood the requirements and expectations for this course and will do my best to attend every day,
participate, and complete the required work for the course.
________________________________________
student signature
_________________________
date
I have read and understood the requirements for this course and will do my best to support my student in regular attendance
and completion of the required work for this course.
________________________________________
parent/guardian signature
__________________________
date
Parent Contact Information
Student Printed Name: __________________________________________________
Parent Printed Name: ___________________________________________________
Home Phone: _________________________________________________________
Work Phone: _________________________________________________________
** Email: ____________________________________________________________
(Please indicate your preferred method of contact.)
THIS PAGE IS DUE BY THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016.