PSAT/SAT
PLAN/ACT
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Why the PSAT/NMSQT?
The PSAT/NMSQT is more than just a test. It gives
students:
Suggestions on how to improve academically
Give students personalized feedback on their test
performance.
Preparation for the SAT®.
Opportunities to earn scholarships and academic
recognition. For more information, go to Scholarships
and Recognition.
Information from colleges and universities through
Student Search Service®
A free personalized online college planning kit based
on their test results. For more information, go to My
College QuickStart™ and MyRoad™.
4 Major Parts of Your PSAT/NMSQT Results
Your Scores
Your Skills
Understanding
Your
PSAT/NMSQT
Results
Your Answers
Next Steps
3 Test Sections
Critical Reading
Mathematics
Writing Skills
Your Scores
Score
You can see your projected SAT
score online in My College QuickStart
(www.collegeboard.org/quickstart).
Score Range
Percentile
If you are a junior, your scores are
compared to those of other juniors.
If you are a sophomore or younger
student, your scores are compared to
those of sophomores.
Next Steps
What’s next?
Sample Score Report
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
www.collegeboard.org/quickstart
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The SAT helps college admissions officers make fair and informed
admission decisions. Combined with a student's academic record, it is a
proven, reliable indicator of college success. Tests the subject matter
learned by students in high school and how well they apply that
knowledge—the critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in college.
SAT facts
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Offered 7 in the United States and six times at international sites.
3 hours and 45 minutes
Consists of 10 separately timed sections:
One variable (un-scored) section tests critical reading, mathematics, or writing
(25 minutes total)
Assesses subject matter learned in high school and problem solving
skills in 3 areas:
◦ Critical reading
◦ Mathematics
◦ Writing
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Includes three kinds of questions:
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Is machine scored except for the essay
◦ Multiple-choice questions
◦ Student-produced responses (mathematics only)
◦ Essay question
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Students and parents often ask why it is important to
take the SAT. Reasons include:
All colleges accept the SAT as an objective
measurement of students' college readiness.
Used with GPAs and high school transcripts, SAT
scores allow colleges to fairly compare applicants.
Taking the SAT gives students access to scholarship
opportunities.
Most colleges require an admission test like the SAT.
The SAT provides students with the most
comprehensive performance feedback of any
admission test.
The SAT is developed to reflect accepted educational
standards. The data show that the material on the SAT and
the time allocated to each section are appropriate for the
intended test-taking population:
 On average, students answer 50 to 60 percent of questions
correctly.
 80 percent finish nearly the entire test.
 Almost all students complete at least 75 percent of the
questions.
 Encourage your students to become familiar with the test
before they take their first SAT. (The following link takes you
to the student area of this site.)
The SAT practice section of the site offers:
 Sample questions
 Answer explanations
 Official SAT practice test
 Personalized score report
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The SAT at-a-Glance
2012
Averages
SECTION
FORMAT/ TIME
QUESTION TYPES
SCORE
Math
3 Sections
Multiple Choice
Grid-Ins
200–800
514
Critical
Reading
3 Sections
Multiple Choice
200–800
496
Writing
3 Sections
Multiple Choice
Essay
200–800
0–12
488
7.1
Total
10 Sections
3 hours, 45
minutes
Multiple Choice
Grid-Ins
Essay
600–2400
1498
Mallard Creek 2012 College Bound Seniors - SAT Average:1431
Critical Reading Mean = 490
Mathematics Mean= 482
Writing Mean= 459
• PLAN shows your strengths and
weaknesses in English, mathematics,
reading, and science.
• PLAN lets you know if you’re on
target for college.
• PLAN helps you find careers that
match your interests.
• PLAN helps you prepare for the ACT.
Slide 10
What is the Student Score Report?
This individualized report details
scores received on the assessment
and the career plans and needs
indicated by the student.
What does the Student Score
Report provide?
Suggestions for improving
student academic skills
Careers that match student
interests indicators of college
readiness
Slide 11
Slide 12
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Contains 5 curriculum-based tests: the
English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science
Tests are standardized multiple choice
Tests based on the major areas of high school
and postsecondary instructional programs; the
optional Writing Test is an impromptu essay on
a given prompt.
Performance on these tests has a direct
relationship to a student’s educational
achievement.
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The ACT is based on information your
students are learning in high school.
The ACT rewards your students for what they
know.
The ACT is accepted by all four-year colleges
and universities in the U.S.
ACT’s Writing Test is optional.
All 11th graders will take the ACT @ Mallard
Creek March 3, 2015 for FREE!
The ACT at-a-Glance
2013
NC
Averages
17.1
English
1 Section
Multiple Choice
1–36
Math
1 Section
Multiple Choice
1–36
19.6
Reading
1 Section
Multiple Choice
FORMAT/ TIME
1–36
18.8
Science
1 Section
Multiple Choice
1–36
18.7
Writing
1 Section
Essay (Optional)
Total:
4–5 Sections
2 hrs, 55 minutes
3 hrs, 25 minutes
2–12
1–36
6.2
US: 20.9
NC: 18.7
Mallard Creek 2013 (488 kids) ACT Average
Composite= 18.0
English= 16.3 Mathematics = 18.9 Reading = 18.0
Science = 18.0
• ACT has “Science” reasoning questions.
• ACT has some trigonometry questions.
• SAT essay is required and first.
• ACT essay is last and not always required.
• SAT is 20 minutes longer.
• SAT/ACT Score Comparison Chart
http://www.studypoint.com/ed/sat-actconcordance/
Common Myths
• The SAT is an IQ test.
• The ACT is easier.
• Only take the ACT if you’re good at
science.
• Competitive schools only accept the
SAT.
What Do Colleges Think?
Facts:
• Nearly all schools accept
the SAT or ACT.
• 89% of schools use SAT
or ACT test scores in
making admissions
decisions*.
Source: National Association of College Admissions Counseling, “Preparation for College Admissions Exams”, 2009
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March 3, 2015 ACT, 11th grade- FREE!!
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Midterms, October 23rd & 24th
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If you are eligible for free or reduced lunch,
you are eligible for 2 SAT and 1 ACT fee
waiver
If you take the SAT with a waiver you are
eligible for 4 college fee application waiversaccepted by MOST 4 year
colleges/universities