PSAT Score Interpretation
October 2012 Test
Results and Interpretation
January 15 2013
PSAT/NMSQT

Preliminary SAT/ National Merit
Scholarship Qualifying Test
 It provides 1st hand practice for :
 New SAT
 Chance to qualify for NMSC scholarship
programs (Juniors Only)
REASONS FOR TAKING

Receive information on
strengths/weaknesses
 Can serve as an indicator of the students
readiness of college level work
 Comparison to others applying to college
 Enter competition for scholarships
 Prepare for SAT Exams
 Receive information from Colleges
HOW THE TEST IS SCORED

For correct answers students received 1 full
point
 For each unanswered question students
received 0 points
 For each incorrect answer to multiple choice
test questions students lose 1/4 of a point
 The points earned in each section are
converted to scores on the PSAT/NMSQT
scale of 20-80
WHAT IS ON THE SCORE
REPORT

Three different scores on the 20-80 scale one each for
critical reading, math, & writing (add all three scores together to get
your selection index)

Percentiles allow the students to compare their scores with
those of others applying to college (Juniors are compared to other
juniors, sophomores and younger are compared to other sophomores)
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E.g. A student with a percentile of 53 has earned a score
better than 53 out of every 100 college bound students who
took the test
Information on where you need improvement & how to
improve your scores
PSAT COMPARED TO SAT

To convert a PSAT score to an SAT score, simply
add a ZERO to the PSAT score
 The SAT is on a 200-800 scale compared to the
20-80 scale of the PSAT
 E.g. A PSAT score of 56 is similar to an SAT
score of 560
 Add all three scores together after adding a ZERO
to the end to get a similar complete SAT score
Sample Score Report &
Website Explanations

http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profd
ownload/sample-psat-nmsqt-student-scorereport.pdf
 http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testin
g/psat/quickstart.html Enter your student
specific code located at the bottom right of
your PSAT/NMSQT® paper score report
Check This Out...

MCPS has a free SAT prep available on the
website.
 Student reviews have said they love it! So
give it a try.
 Just type in your student ID for your
username and password for the following
website:
https://www.tcaprep.com/php2/login.php?sc
hool_code=1628135692
Next Steps


Practice for the SAT’s – use the online SAT Prep course
www.bridges.com
Take the SAT’s in the Spring of your Junior Year (they may
be taken multiple times)

Most Colleges will take your highest combined score (they
do not have to be on the same test date, you may mix and match)

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Research and Visit Colleges – Spring/Summer of junior
year
Apply to college prior to Thanksgiving Break of your
Senior year
Request your transcript be sent to the colleges you are
applying to utilizing the proper forms in the counseling
office
What is the difference
between the SAT and ACT?

The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing
reasoning and verbal abilities.

The ACT is an achievement test, measuring
what a student has learned in school (The ACT
has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading,
Science, and an optional Writing Test ).
What is the SATII

The SAT II is a set of more than 20
different tests focusing on specific
disciplines such as English, History and
Social Sciences, Mathematics, Physical
Sciences, and Foreign Languages.
Which test(s) do I take?
You are probably
wondering, do I take the
SAT, the SAT II or the
ACT ?
ANSWER
The SAT I, the general SAT, is
accepted as an admissions
requirement by almost all colleges
and universities and is generally
more popular with Eastern colleges
than it is with Western schools.
Answer continued
The ACT is accepted by most
colleges and universities as an
admission requirement and is
generally more popular with colleges
in the West than with those in the
East.
Answer continued:
Find out from the colleges and
universities which exams they
require. They provide this
information on their application
forms, in their promotional
material, and on their websites.
Additional Help...
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We have the word of the day on the morning announcements...
Keep your math notes and the end of the semester...especially for
algebra 1, geometry, and algebra 2
Believe it or not, read a book
Participate in Summer Reading
Use the on-line MCPS resources
Form a study group
Keep your notes from all subjects in a labeled box at home for future
reference
Relax and have confidence, Wootton students do well...always have
and always will...
The most important thing to
Remember from this presentation...
We are here to help you and we will be with
you every step of the process...
Use your PSAT score to look at your strengths
and areas where you want to improve
The End!