NRCA PSAT Review
January 12, 2015
Debbie Monahan
College Counseling Director
PSAT
THREE SECTIONS
Critical Reading
+ Math
+ Writing
Selection Index National Merit
PSAT EXAMPLE
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Score Range: 20-80
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Highest Selection
Index (Total): 240
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Use Access Code
to get help online
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Use test booklet to
view questions missed
PSAT Resources
www.collegeboard.org/quickstart
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Use PSAT Resources to:
• Get explanation of PSAT answers
• Get test-taking strategies
• Review colleges and careers
• Get hundreds of free SAT questions
• Take personality test
(My SAT Study Plan)
(My Personality)
• Analyze potential for AP Courses
(My AP Potential)
PSAT Quick Start
Student Assignment
National Merit Scholarship
Oct: 1.5 Million 11th Grade Students take the PSAT
April: 50,000 High Scorers
Sept: 34,000 Commended Students - 16,000 Semifinalists
Feb: 15,000 Semifinalists
March: 1,200 Special Scholarship recipients & 8,000 Merit
Scholarship Winners
<1% of Total Students Awarded Scholarships
National Merit Scholarship
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How are semi-finalists selected?
• Each state computes the percentage of
graduating seniors compared to the nation
• Percentage of each state X 16,000 semifinalists = # of students from that state
selected
• Scores are listed in descending order and
# of students are chosen
National Merit Scholarship
Typical Scores that Qualify in
NC
•Commended
•Semifinalist
Score >= 204
Score >= 215
Average PSAT Scores Class of 2015 (current seniors)
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Critical Reading
• NRCA – 51.0
• NC – 46.5
• Nation – 46.6
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Math
• NRCA – 51.8
• NC – 47.6
• Nation – 47.8
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Writing
• NRCA – 50.2
• NC – 44.9
• Nation – 45.3
PSAT
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One Test
One Day
October!
SOPHOMORES:
PREPARE THIS SUMMER !
Calculating PSAT to SAT
Critical Reading 50
Math
+ 52
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102 **Focus**
To project an SAT score, add a
zero to the far right…SAT = 1020
SAT AVERAGES (CR+M)
National Average = 1010
NRCA 2013 & 2014 Average = 1158
NRCA 2013 & 2014 top 25% Avg. = 1310
NRCA 2013 & 2014 top 10% Avg. = 1369
ACT AVERAGES
National Average = 21
North Carolina State Average = 19
NRCA 2013 & 2014 Average = 24
NRCA 2013 & 2014 Top 25% Average = 29
NRCA 2013 & 2014 Top 10% Average = 30
JUNIORS: TAKE THE ACT ON JUNE 13, 2015!
The ACT is an NRCA requirement for graduation.
Getting in to College
• Check the Freshman Profile for
each school
• Research Tools
• Petersons.com
• BigFuture.Collegeboard.com
The Big Three
1.
2.
3.
SAT & ACT
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4 Free Score Reports
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Colleges Superscore the SAT
10
th
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Graders
Prep for future PSAT, SAT and ACT
READ!! Improve your vocabulary
Be wise in course selection
Prepare your high school resume
Investigate colleges using the Internet
Visit Colleges/Talk to College Reps
Attend a college summer program
Everything matters…everything.
Redesigned SAT/PSAT
18
Redesigned SAT/PSAT
19
11
th
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Graders
Prep for SAT and ACT
Take the SAT in January, March, May or
June; Take the ACT in June (Colleges super
score SAT, sometimes ACT)
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Investigate colleges using the Internet
Visit Colleges/Talk to College Reps
Use your summer wisely
Update your high school resume – do a few
things well
11
th
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Graders
Narrow down your list of colleges
Include on your list 1 or 2 stretch, 2-3
realistic and 1 safety school
Have college applications ready by October
1st Senior Year for Early Decision – use
Common App when you can
Many scholarship deadlines by December
1st
Summer Opportunities
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Academic Programs
Fine Arts or Athletic Camps
Mission trip (NRCA requirement)
Community Service (NRCA requirement)
SAT/ACT Prep
College campus visits
Work
NRCA College Webpage
Academics/College Counseling
•Request a Transcript
•Academic Conferences/Workshops
•College Open House
•Questionnaire for College Visits
•Scholarships
•Summer Camps & Conferences
•SAT & ACT Links
(including link to Practice Tests)
•NCAA Eligibility Center Link
Next Steps
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Students: Prep for the 2015 PSAT (10th Graders),
SAT and ACT (11th Graders) using your results and
MyCollegeQuickstart.
Assignment using your MyCollegeQuickstart to be
turned in for quiz grade in each student’s English
class.
Parents: Discuss college and career goals with your
student and help them make a plan to achieve those
desired goals.
Making the Right Choice
Pray all during the college selection
process! Remember:
“College choice is a match to be
made, NOT a prize to be won!”
Find the right college for YOU!
Making the Right Choice
❖ Do
not dismiss private and/or Christian colleges based
on price alone. Many universities offer scholarships
bringing the cost equal to or below state school costs.
❖ Visit
colleges NOW! Use school holidays (MLK Day,
Winter Break, Spring Break, etc.) to visit colleges.
The Lord has a Plan
“Trust in the Lord with all your
heart, and lean not upon your own
understanding. In ALL your ways,
acknowledge Him, and He will
direct your path.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Discussing your Options
I love to meet with parents and
students to assist in any way I can!
Debbie Monahan
dmonahan@nrcaknights.com
919-573-7926