Transcript The PSAT - La Quinta High School

The PSAT
Guest Speaker: Mrs. Esquivel
9/18/09
What is it?
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PSAT stands for “Preliminary
Scholastic Aptitude Test”
It is what most people refer to as
the PRACTICE SAT
It is ALSO the NMSQT (National
Merit Scholar Qualifying Test)
for Juniors
NMSQT
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If you take the PSAT as a
JUNIOR and if you score high
enough, you can qualify for
scholarships and awards!
But you will learn more about
this next year
GOOD NEWS for 10th
Graders!!!
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IT’S FREE THIS YEAR!
GGUSD recognizes the
importance of this test in
preparing our students for
college, so they are covering the
cost!
Junior year, you will need to pay
(or get a fee waiver)
Structure of the PSAT
Section
Number
of ?s
Time
Critical Reading
24
25 minutes
Math
20
25 minutes
Critical Reading
24
25 minutes
Math
18
25 minutes
Writing Skills
39
30 minutes
CRITICAL READING
Two 25-minute critical reading
sections 48 questions.
 13 Sentence completions
 35 Critical reading questions
Critical Reading section
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What it tests:
Extended reasoning
 Literal comprehension
 Vocabulary in context
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Format/Questions:
Sentence completions
 Passage-based readings
 48 questions in two sections
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MATH
Two 25-minute math sections  38
questions
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28 multiple-choice math
questions
10 Student-produced responses
or grid-ins
Math section
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What it tests:
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Algebra & functions
Geometry & measurement
Data analysis, statistics, & probability
Format/Questions:
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Multiple-choice
Student-produced responses
38 questions in the two sections
MATH (Con’d)
Students are advised to bring a calculator
with which they are comfortable. Students
should have basic knowledge of 4 math
categories:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Numbers and Operations
Algebra and Functions (but not 3rd
year level math that may appear on
the new SAT)
Geometry and Measurement
Data Analysis, Statistics and
Probability
WRITING SKILLS
One 30-minute writing section 39 questions
 14 Identifying sentence errors
 20 Improving sentences
 5 Improving paragraph questions
These multiple-choice questions on writing skills
measure a student’s ability to express ideas
effectively in standard-written English, to recognize
faults in usage and structure, and to use language
with sensibility to meaning.
THERE ISN’T ANY ACTUAL “WRITING” INVOLVED!
Writing Skills (cont’d)
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What it tests:
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Grammar
Usage
Word choice
Format/Questions:
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Multiple-choice
Improving sentences, identifying
sentence errors, & improving
paragraphs
39 questions in the section
How the PSAT is scored
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Like the SAT, the PSAT uses a
NEGATIVE SCORING SYSTEM
You lose a fraction of a point (1/4)
for each incorrect answer
 Soooo…DON’T just guess and
answer every question
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Learn how to recognize questions
you should skip and practice the
PROCESS OF ELIMINATION
strategy!
Scores & Reporting
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You’ll receive 3 scores for the PSAT:
1.
2.
3.
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Critical Reading
Math
Writing Skills
Each section will be reported on a
scale of 20-80.
Your scores will be mailed to Mrs.
Milner about 6-8 weeks after you
take the test.
LQ counselors will hand them out &
explain your results to you and your
parents at PSAT Night.
PSAT vs. SAT (basics)
SAT
PSAT
Structure
10 sections
5 sections
Length
3 hours 45 minutes
2 hours 10 minutes
Purpose
College Admissions
SAT Practice &
NMSQT
Scoring
2400
Selection index out of
240
The SAT is definitely the
PSAT’s bigger brother!
Section
Number of ?s
Time
Writing
1 essay
25 minutes
Critical Reading
24 multiple choice
25 minutes
Math
20 multiple choice
25 minutes
Writing
35 multiple choice
25 minutes
Critical Reading
24 multiple choice
25 minutes
Math
18 multiple choice
25 minutes
Experimental
??multiple choice
25 minutes
Math
16 multiple choice
20 minutes
Critical Reading
19 multiple choice
20 minutes
Writing
14 multiple choice
10 minutes
NOTE: In contrast to the PSAT, the sections on the
SAT can appear in a different order!
What does the PSAT Score
mean for my SAT score?
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Actually, it’s hard to say…the
SAT’s scores are exactly 10
times that of the PSAT. So
you’re thinking that you can just
take your PSAT score and
multiply it by 10 and that would
be your possible SAT score
some day…right???...
Well…not necessarily so…
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Think about this: world-class
sprinters can complete a 100yard dash in under ten seconds.
Going at the same speed, an
athlete should be able to run a
mile in under three
minutes…right? But has
anyone ever run a mile that
quickly? NO!
Fatigue’s Effect on the SAT
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The same thing applies to the
SAT. The PSAT only has 5
sections, but the SAT has 10
and flirts with the 4-hour mark!
Isn’t fatigue likely to become a
factor in your overall score?
Why am I sharing this with
you?
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Just be prepared for your SAT
score to maybe not be a perfect
reflection of your PSAT. It is
simply more difficult to stay
sharp for almost 4 hours
compared to only 2 in the PSAT.
Plus, the SAT’s math is slightly
more advanced too AND it has a
written essay.
“Ok…so now I’m stressed!”
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Don’t be!
Instead, remember that your PSAT
scores will NOT be sent to colleges;
they are just for your reference.
Also, instead of being stressed, see
this for what it is-an OPPORTUNITY!
The more practice you have at
anything in life, the better your end
result will be
Want to learn more?
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Talk to those who have already taken the
PSAT
Talk to your AVID teacher
Make an appointment to meet with your
counselor
Visit www.collegeboard.org for more info
Purchase a PSAT prep book from your
local bookstore
Use your time the next few weeks in your
AVID class wisely as you work on practice
questions!
Thanks for inviting me into
your class!
Mrs. Esquivel
 [email protected]
 Counseling Office (Building A )