Understanding PSAT Results
Boonsboro High School
PSAT Information Night
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Agenda
 What do the scores mean?
 National Merit Scholarship
 What’s next?
 SAT vs. ACT
 My College QuickStart
 Triumph College Admissions (TCA)
 WCPS College and Career Readiness
 SAT/ACT Registration
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What do the scores mean?
Amy Taylor
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Your Scores
Your Skills
Four Major
Parts of Your
PSAT/NMSQT
Results
Your Answers
Next Steps
3 Test Sections
Critical Reading
Mathematics
Writing Skills
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Your Skills
See how you did on each skill. The same skills are tested on the SAT.
You can try hundreds of practice questions, organized by skill, online
in My College QuickStart (www.collegeboard.org/quickstart).
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Your Answers
You will get your test book back with
your PSAT/NMSQT results, so that
you can review the questions.
You can also review each test
question in My College QuickStart.
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Your Answers:
Student-Produced
Responses
Some of the math problems required you
to grid in answers instead of selecting an
option. For these questions, you will see
the correct answer(s) written out.
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National Merit Scholarship
Amy Taylor
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National Merit Scholarship
Corporation Information
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.
The Percentile compares your performance to that of other
college-bound juniors.
The Entry Requirements section displays information you
provided on your answer sheet.
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What’s next?
Joy Franklin
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9th and 10th Grade
 Practice!
– Students will take the PSAT again in 10th and
11th grades
– More practice leads to higher scores, and high
scores in 11th grade can lead to scholarship
opportunities (National Merit)
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11th Grade
 Next steps depend on your PSAT scores, current
courses, and future plans.
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If you scored 165 or higher…
 You are ready for the SAT, but should continue to prepare
in order to maximize your score for admissions and
scholarships.
 Practice
– TCA
– College Board’s Website
 Register for the SAT
– Next opportunity is Saturday, March 8th (registration deadline is
February 7th)
– Register at sat.collegeboard.org
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If you scored 150-165…
 To avoid remedial classes (and placement exams) at
HCC, students need at least a 550 per section on Critical
Reading and Math (equivalent of 55 per section on the
PSAT)
 Practice (TCA; College Board)
 Register for the SAT, but leave enough time for review
– Additional Dates: Saturday, May 3rd and Saturday, June 7th
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If you scored 120-150…
 Register for SAT after completion of current academic
courses, especially English and Math.
 Practice
– At least 10 hours using TCA in order to help maximize scores
 Consider also registering for the ACT
– Colleges will accept either an ACT or SAT score
– Register online at www.actstudent.org.
– Next opportunity is Saturday, February 8th (late registration by
January 24th for additional fee) or Saturday, April 12 (registration
deadline is March 7th).
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If you scored below 120…
 Register for the ACT
 If considering the SAT, take a mock SAT exam through
TCA to further evaluate scores
 Practice
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SAT vs. ACT
Joy Franklin
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What’s the difference?
SAT
ACT
 Reasoning Test
 Content-based test
 Critical Reading, Math, and Writing
 English, Math, Reading, Science, and
Writing (optional)
 Covers reading, vocabulary, grammar
& usage, writing, and math
 Wording of questions can be tricky
 Scores on each section will range from
200-800, totaling 600-2400
 Penalty for wrong answers (you lose ¼
point for each incorrect multiple choice
answer)
 Math includes arithmetic, data analysis,
algebra I and II, functions, geometry
(formulas are provided)
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 Covers grammar & usage, math,
reading, science reading, and writing
(optional)
 Wording of questions is straightforward
 Scores on each section will range from
1-36, composite score is the average of
the sections totaling 1-36
 No penalty for wrong answers
 Math includes arithmetic, algebra I and
II, functions, geometry, trigonometry
(no formulas are provided)
How Can My College QuickStart®
Help You?
Jessie Little
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Next Steps
What’s next?
Use the access code on your report to log in to My College
QuickStart, a personalized college and career planning kit. There you
can:
•Search for colleges
•Get a personalized SAT study plan
•Take a personality test to find majors and careers that fit you
•Learn more about AP® courses that you might be ready to take
www.collegeboard.org/quickstart
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My College QuickStart
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My College QuickStart
My Online Score Report
• Projected SAT®
score ranges
• State percentiles
• You can filter questions
• Questions and
answer explanations
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My College QuickStart
My SAT Study Plan™
• Personalized skills
to improve
• SAT practice questions
• An official SAT practice test
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My College QuickStart
My Personality
• Personality test
• Description of your type
• Tips for success
• Majors and careers that might
be a good fit for you
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My College QuickStart
My College Matches
• Starter list of colleges
• Criteria to customize search
• Ability to save searches
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My College QuickStart
My Majors & Career
Matches
• Major you chose
• Related majors
• Related careers
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My College QuickStart
My AP Potential
• List of AP courses
• Which ones are offered at
your school
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My College QuickStart
My AP Potential
• Choose a major to see
which courses match it.
• Interpret your report to
see whether you are
ready to take a course.
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My College QuickStart
Log in to your personalized account at
www.collegeboard.org/quickstart
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WCPS College and Career and
Triumph College Admission (TCA)
Beth Moore
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SAT/ACT Registration
Peggy Pugh
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SAT Registration
 Register online at sat.collegeboard.org
 $51 regular registration fee
– Fee waivers available for students who are eligible for free and
reduced meals…See your school counselor
 Additional $27.50 for late registration
– Fee waivers will not cover late registration
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SAT Dates and Deadlines
 March 8th
– February 7th
– Late registration: February 24th
 May 3rd
– April 4th
– Late registration: April 21st
 June 7th
– May 9th
– Late registration: May 28th
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ACT Registration
 Register online at www.actstudent.org
 $36.50 fee (No Writing)
– Check the website to see if the colleges you are considering
require or recommend the ACT Writing Test.
 $52.50 (Including Writing)
 Additional $23 for late registration
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ACT Dates and Deadlines
 February 8th
– Late registration: January 24th
 April 12th
– March 7th
– Late registration: March 21st
 June 14th
– May 9th
– Late registration: May 23rd
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Contact Information
 Mrs. Amy Taylor: TayloAmy@wcps.k12.md.us
– 9th Grade (last names A-G)
– 10th Grade (all)
 Mrs. Joy Franklin: FrankJoy@wcps.k12.md.us
– 9th Grade (last names H-O)
– 12th Grade (all)
 Mrs. Jessie Little: LittlJes@wcps.k12.md.us
– 9th Grade (last names P-Z)
– 11th Grade (all)
 Mrs. Peggy Pugh: PughPeg@wcps.k12.md.us
 Mrs. Beth Moore: MooreBet@wcps.k12.md.us
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