January, 2012
Mrs. Tortorella, Juniors
Mr. Gibson, Sophomores
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Test Date October 12, 2011
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Understanding Test Scores/Answer Sheet
◦ Scale of 20-80 per section (SAT 200-800)
◦ Critical Reading, Mathematics, Writing Skills
 Understand how to use the Answer Key and Scoring criteria
 Consider Range as where your SAT score could fall without any further prep
 Take the percentage compared to “your peers” seriously…this is the group you
are competing against for college admission
◦ Selection Index – this is the score that determines scholarship awards
(National Merit), however it changes year to year based on the student
population that took this test during that particular year
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Score Report included in your test booklet
◦ Booklet returned so that you may review your answers and use as a
practice booklet
◦ Go to www.collegeboard.org/quickstart to work on improving your score
 use your online access code printed in the middle of your score sheet
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In general, the PSAT score is representative of
college readiness skills based on the SAT
There is no direct relationship between the 2
tests – they are 2 different assessments –
writing very different
Typically and hypothetically, add on a zero on
to your score and this gives some correlation
to how you might do on the SAT (focus on
range)
PSAT is excellent exposure to college
entrance testing procedures
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The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are to:
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Receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills
necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on
those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
◦ Review Your Skills section
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See how your performance on an admissions test might compare
with that of your peers applying to college. (% below your score)
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Enter the competition for scholarships from NMSC (grade 11).
◦ National Merit, Selection Index
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Help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of
questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.
◦ Use Your Answers section
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Receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student
Search Service.
◦ You might start hearing from colleges now based on how you responded to the
general questions on your answer sheet (major, grades, etc)
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PSAT is always the 3rd week of October at GHS
◦ Take both!
◦ Junior Year, National Merits
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SAT/ACT
◦ Minimum 3 TIMES
 twice junior year – Jan, March, May, June
 once fall of senior year – Sept or October, November latest
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SAT Subject Tests
◦ Junior Year - May or June
◦ Senior Year - October
◦ Depends on college, major choice
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AP Exams
◦ 1st 2 weeks of May, junior and senior years
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The College Board is the company that administers all SAT
Reasoning, SAT Subject & AP tests. Through this free
website you can register for tests and release scores online.
It also allows you to do nationwide college searches with
hotlinks to the homepages of the schools.
◦ It can be accessed at: www.collegeboard.org
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The American College Testing Program Inc. is the other
major college admissions company that administers the ACT
test which student may take as alternative to the SAT. They
are also available on the web. There is a wealth of
information about the ACT assessment including test-taking
tips, sample questions, online registration, and automated
score reporting.
◦ It can be accessed at: www.actstudent.org/index.html
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ACT Test Date
Registration
Deadline
Late Registration
Deadline
February 11, 2012
January 13, 2012
January 14-20, 2012
April 14, 2012
March 9, 2012
March 10-23, 2012
May 4, 2012
May 5-18, 2012
(at GHS)
June 9, 2012
September 8
, 2012
August, 2012
SAT Test Date
Registration
Deadline
Late Registration
Deadline
January 28, 2012
December 30, 2011
January 13, 2012
March 10, 2012
Feb 10, 2012
February 24, 2012
May 5, 2012 (SAT II)
Apr 6, 2012
April 20, 2012
(GHS)
June 2, 2012 (SAT II) May 8, 2012
May 22, 2012
To register for the exams:
1. SIGN UP ONLINE at their website (suggested)
2. GET PAPER REGISTRATION from our office
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There are quite a few ways to prepare for the PSAT, SAT and
ACT assessments
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Practice Books - Barnes & Noble, Career Resource Center
Online practice - College Board www.collegeboard.org or ACT
www.act.org
Monroeville Huntington Learning Center
Petersons, Kaplan, Princeton Review – expensive but thorough
courses
Look for local college courses – CCAC, PSU GA
Monroeville Recreation Department – scheduled at GHS Jan. 25
Free online websites
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www.number2.com
www.freevocabulary.com
www.review.com
www.majortests.com/sat
http://internet4classrooms.com/act_sat.htm
www.testprepreview.com
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