+
The Redesigned
PSAT and SAT
2015-2016
+
College Readiness Assessments
in GISD

PSAT 8
8th
grade

Practice for the
PSAT/NMSQT

Identifies students for AP
classes

(Oct. 13-16)

PSAT/NMSQT
 10th grade = Superintendent’s
Scholars
 11th grade = National Merit
Scholarships and recognitions
 Identifies students for AP
classes
(Oct. 14)
PSAT 9
9th
grade

Practice for the
PSAT/NMSQT

Identifies students for AP
classes
(Oct. 13-16)

SAT
11th
grade

Scholarships

College admission

Avoid taking developmental
classes
(March 2)
+
Benefits
Of doing
well on the
PSAT
Show me the $$$$$
College Admissions
Connect to Colleges
+
Benefits of PSAT
 Inspires
 Helps
productive practice
students build skills over time
 Opens
doors to college
 Equips
students with free practice on KHAN
Academy (online PSAT/SAT
resource…..more info on this later)
 Increases
access to AP and college credit
+
Why is it important to take the
PSAT seriously?
 It
helps identify academic strengths and weaknesses, so
you can make appropriate class choices
 It
is practice for college entrance exams like the SAT and
ACT

Students who take the PSAT tend to score higher on their
SAT exam
 Scores

can lead to scholarship opportunities
The junior year PSAT determines who will be named
National Merit Scholars-a prestigious title that comes with
financial assistance for college.
+
Special opportunities and awards
for PSAT/NMSQT test-takers
10th grade

Top 100 Superintendent’s Scholars
11th grade

Commended Performance

Semi-Finalist

Finalist
+
11th graders
National Merit
Scholarship Qualifying
Test
(NMSQT)

$180 million in increased scholarships
connections

United Negro College Fund

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Asian & Pacific Islander American
Scholarship Fund

American Indian Graduate Center
+
Other special opportunities for
PSAT/NMSQT test-takers

The following programs can help students who take the
PSAT/NMSQT and who qualify for participation, but are NOT
conducted by NMSC.

National Hispanic Recognition Program: The College Board's
National Hispanic Recognition Program identifies outstanding
Hispanic high school students and shares information about
these academically well-prepared students with subscribing
colleges and universities.

National Scholarship Service (NSSFNS) offers a free college
advisory and referral service for African-American students who
plan to attend two-year or four-year colleges and universities.

The Telluride Association offers scholarships to gifted juniors
for summer seminars in the humanities and social sciences.
+
Old vs New PSAT
2014 PSAT
2015 PSAT

3 sections
 Math
 Critical reading
 Writing skills

2 sections
 Math
 Evidence-based reading
and writing

Total score = 60-240
 3 section scores
 Each section worth 20-80

Total score = 320-1520
 2 section scores
 Each section worth 160-760

2 hours, 10 minutes

2 hours, 45 minutes

¼ point deduction for incorrect
answers

No penalty for incorrect
answers
+
Old vs New PSAT
The 2014 PSAT
Time
Allotted
The 2015 PSAT
Number of
Questions
Time
Allotted
Number of
Questions
Math
50
38
Math
70
48
Reading
50
48
Reading
60
47
Writing
30
39
Writing
35
44
TOTAL
130
125
TOTAL
165
139
+
Quiz Time!

What is the biggest difference between the old and redesigned
PSAT?


What is the difference between PSAT and STAAR/EOC?



STAAR is a state exam that measures mastery of content
PSAT is a national reasoning exam that measures critical thinking skills and
compares all testers against one another (national percentile rank)
How long do you have per questions on PSAT vs STAAR/EOC?



sections have changed, scoring is more like the SAT, and no penalty for wrong
answers
STAAR/EOC = approximately 4 minutes per question
PSAT = approximately 1 minute per question
What do you do if you are running out of time and have 10 questions
left to answer?

Start bubbling like a fiend!!!
+ Test Taking
Strategies
 When
you sit down to take the test:
 Read all of the directions.
 Read all answer choices.
 Do scratch work in the test book.
 Monitor your time!!!
 Work at a steady pace
If you can’t narrow the answer choices to two, come back to the
question later.

Focus on easy and medium level questions
 Your
score is calculated based on the
number of correct answers not on the
level of difficulty of the question.
+
Answer all questions!!!!!
No
Go
penalty for wrong answers
back and make sure all questions
are answered before time runs out
+
Official SAT Practice
https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
+
KHAN Academy
(https://www.khanacademy.org/sat)
 Get
to know the redesigned SAT and PSAT
 Use
student access code on PSAT report for
personalized practice! Contact Mrs. Schneider
for access code.
 Stay
on top of important SAT dates and news
 Practice
anytime, anywhere, at no cost!
+
KHAN Academy
(https://www.khanacademy.org/sat)
Practice tests and more


4 official full-length practice
tests

8 diagnostic practices

Pinpoint your areas for
practice
Plus study and test-taking tips
Interactive practice

Thousands of practices
questions

Video lessons

Short quizzes
Hints
Instant feedback

Get constant feedback and
progress

Know where you stand
Khan
Academy
+
Practice
+
PSAT Tutorials Sachse High School
Weekly Tutorials

Every Tuesday and Thursday from
2:40-3:40pm

Math Rm 1013

Reading and Writing Rm 2007
PSAT Review Saturday

Saturday 9/26

8:30am-12:30pm

Sachse Cafeteria
+
PSAT Dates, Location and
Contacts
Sachse High School
Hudson Middle School

Wednesday October 14th

Wednesday October 14th

9th, 10th and 11th graders

8th graders
Contact for Sachse HS
Contact for Hudson MS

Brandi Gipson

LaKeisha Rider

972-414-7450 ext 63032

972-675-3070 ext 52205
+
What to Bring on Test Day

Here’s what students need on test day for the PSAT/NMSQT,
PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9:

Two No. 2 pencils with erasers

An approved calculator: four function, scientific or graphing
calculator

Email address

Current and valid school- or government-issued photo ID
+
What Not to Bring on Test Day

Protractors, compasses, rulers

Dictionaries or other books (there are no exceptions, even if
English is not a student's first language)

Pamphlets or papers of any kind

Highlighters and colored pens or pencils

Listening, recording, copying, or photographic devices
(including watches and cell phones that contain
cameras). Note: Cell phones and tablets must be turned off
and put away during the entire test administration. We
encourage you not to bring these items into the room at all.

Food and beverages, including bottled water, unless
approved by the College Board’s Services for Students with
Disabilities.
+
SAT News for the Spring
March 2nd 2016

Every 11th grader will have their
test registration paid by GISD.

The test will be given during the
school day at Sachse HS

Registration Packets will be
mailed to the address we have on
file. So please update if
necessary.