psat scores… now what? -...
TRANSCRIPT
PSAT Scores… Now What?
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John Cashin
SAT/ACT
Instructor
Today You’ll Learn
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Five Super Important Things
1. What the heck your PSAT score really means
2. How to say YES to the right test: SAT, ACT, New SAT…We’ll
help you figure it out
3. How to get a great score no matter what test you take
4. Where your score can take you
5. What colleges really look for (Hint: It’s not just your score)
4 Major Parts of Your PSAT/NMSQT Results
Your Scores
Your Skills
Your Answers
Critical Reading
Mathematics
Writing Skills
Understanding Your
PSAT/NMSQT Results
Next Steps
3 Test Sections
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Your Scores
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.
Score
You can see your projected SAT
score online in My College QuickStart
(www.collegeboard.com/quickstart).
Score Range
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PSAT and SAT
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How can you use your PSAT score to predict how you would
perform on the SAT without any additional preparation?
Simply add a zero to each of your PSAT scores.
PSAT SCORE
CRITICAL
READING 52
MATH 51
WRITING
SKILLS
53
TOTAL 156
SAT SCORE
520
510
530
1560
National Merit Scholarship Corporation Information
The Entry Requirements section displays information you provided on your answer sheet.
The Percentile compares your performance to that of other college-bound juniors.
The Selection Index is the sum of your critical reading, mathematics and writing skills scores. If it has an asterisk, you do not meet all of the eligibility requirements for the competition.
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What
can the
PSAT
tell
you?
154 or higher
144 or lower
Between 144-153? Take current SAT if
writing is your
highest sub-score.
See how you did on each skill. The same skills are tested on the SAT.
Your Skills
You can try hundreds of practice questions, organized by skill, online in My College QuickStart (www.collegeboard.com/quickstart).
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Your Answers
You will get your test book back with your PSAT/NMSQT results, so that you can review the questions. You can also review each test question in My College QuickStart.
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Your Answers: Student-Produced
Responses
Some of the math problems required you
to grid in answers instead of selecting an
option. For these questions, you will see
the correct answer(s) written out.
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Other useful info: 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.com/quickstart
Next Steps
National Merit
Scholarship
• Awarded to the top 1% of students
• Automatically entered if you meet the
criteria
• Other criteria considered such a grades
and official SAT scores
• The numbers change by state, but if
your SI is 220 or higher, you are usually
in the running (DC is closer to 230) to
make semi-finalist
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Say Yes to the Right Test
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Advice for Current Juniors/Class of 2016
• ALL colleges accept either test.
There is no preference
• PSAT guidance
• High math score = SAT
• Reading + writing is 7+ pts
higher than math = ACT
• Foolproof plan
• Take a practice test!
Say Yes to the Right Test
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Advice for Current Sophomores/Class of 2017
• Steer clear of the new SAT.
Here’s why:
• It’s harder than the ACT
• No solid score guidance
• ACT is easier to prep for
Why the SAT is changing
ACT is more popular than SAT nationwide.
More states using ACT as high school exit exam
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ACT is winning the
test race!
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A Classic Battle
Biggest Changes
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CATEGORY CHANGE
OVERALL New SAT will look a lot like the ACT, but harder
TIMING 3 hours without essay (3 hours, 50 minutes with essay)
SCORING No penalty for wrong answers
1600 composite with separate essay source
MATH Less middle school content and more advanced concepts
2 sections – one allowing calculator and one not allowing calculator
More grid-in (not multiple-choice) questions
ESSAY Optional and 50 minutes instead of 25 minutes
VOCABULARY More familiar words, but testing multiple meanings in passages
DOCUMENTS Analyze historical documents and speeches
GRAMMAR Tested in passages and includes punctuation
Where could your scores take you?
School Average SAT Average ACT
Georgia Tech 2020 30
University of Georgia 1810 28
Duke 2210 32
Emory University 2060 31
New York University 1950 29
Northwestern University 2160 32
Ohio State University 1860 28
UCLA 1950 28
University of Florida 1890 27
University of Michigan 2030 30
University of North Carolina 1940 30
University of Texas at Austin 1860 28
Elon 1850 27
Scores are not just about getting in. High scores can help you get $ for college.
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Recap Juniors/Class of 2016: Take
current SAT or ACT
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SAT TIMELINE
Dec/Jan: Begin your prep
March: Take the SAT
May/June: take AP tests/SAT Subject tests
Nov/Dec: Begin your prep
Feb: Take ACT
April: Take ACT
May/June: take AP tests/SAT Subject
tests
ACT TIMELINE
Recap Sophomores/Class of 2017:
Take current SAT or ACT
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Use your PSAT
scores to decide if
you will take the
current SAT
If yes, prep over
the summer and
take the test in
Fall 2015
If no, then focus
on prepping and
taking the ACT
Your Personal Testing
Timeline This can be complicated and depends upon:
The Princeton Review can help you create a
personalized prep plan
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What Tests You Take
SAT, ACT, Both
SAT Subject Tests
Admissions Strategy Applying early decision
Goal Score Are you close /far away?
Busy Calendar Fall, winter or spring activities
• The tests DO NOT measure your intelligence.
• High GPAs don’t always equate to high test scores
• Don’t take PSAT scores personally – it’s way too
early in the game to worry about these
• The tests measure how well you take tests.
Intelligent practice WILL help you increase your
scores.
What do these tests really measure?
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Your Prep Options
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• On your own: books, self-paced online
programs. Great for independent learners that
need to brush up on skills, strategies.
• Classes: Range in philosophy from content to
specific test strategies. Often available during
week/weekends in neighborhood locations.
• Private 1:1 Tutoring: Highly personalized to your
learning needs and customized to your schedule.
• How far are you from your goal score?
• How crazy is your schedule?
• How do you learn best?
If you are 200+ points away from your goal, pick
a course or private tutor. It’s worth it!
Decide which Prep is Right for You
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How are the SAT and ACT used?
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These tests are just one part of your college application. Colleges also look at your:
• High School transcripts
• Academic rigor
• Grades
• Extracurricular activities
• Leadership & curiosity counts
• Less is more
• Essay
• Personal, specific and detailed.
• Authentic. Represent your passions/interests
• Letters of Recommendation
• Identify your fans
• Make polite requests ahead of time
• Provide ALL necessary materials
• People you know: HS counselors, parents,
friends
• The Guides: Thousands of
titles. Our favorites
• Online: college websites, rankings and lists
give student insights
• Private 1:1 Counselors: CollegeWise etc.
Your College Guidance Options
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30 years of Test Success
We raise your scores and give you an edge
• Learn content and test-specific strategies
• Access to great instructors who have a Ph.D. in every test
• Personalized pacing strategies (critical for timed tests)
• Strategies for test anxiety that build confidence
• Options for your learning style and busy schedule
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Over 4 out of 5 Princeton Review Graduates were
accepted into at least one of their top-choice schools.
Th e Fu l t o n Co u n t y Sc h o o l Dist r ic t Pr esen t s:
Th e Pr in c et o n Rev iew SAT pr ep Co u r se
@ Riv er w o o d H ig h Sc h o o l
Co u r se Det a il s
D isc o u n t ed Tu it io n : $125 per st u d en t w it h pr o mo c o d e ATLFCSPSH IP
(r et a i l v a l u e o f $699)
18 hours of in-class instruction
3 full-length in person practice tests
Princeton Review instructors and materials with 11 additional practice tests
Classes held at your high school
Upc o min g Co u r se Prep for the March SAT – 1/10/15 through 3/2/15 on Mondays & Saturdays
All class sessions after school @ 4PM, Practice test on three Saturdays @ 9AM
For information regarding one-on-one tutoring options, please contact:
Franklin Rabon Director of Tutoring Services
Register TODAY!
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Select “SAT” and “Classroom”, enter your zip code and click “Find Course”
Enter Code ATLFCSPSHIP and click “Apply” to see the discounted price
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