12/22/16 PSAT Score Parent Interpretation Seminar Seminar Why Admissions Tests Matter PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 1
12/22/16 Test Taking Timeline PSAT PSAT AP Tests SAT and/or ACT SAT and/or Last ACT chance! Fall Sophomore Spring Sophomore Fall Junior Spring Junior Fall Senior PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION Why Admissions Tests Matter Merit scholarships are awarded based on test scores and grades Nearly 90% of colleges placed considerable or moderate importance on test scores* PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 2
12/22/16 A Primer: PSAT, SAT, and ACT PSAT § Used for scholarships § Can only officially be taken once § Taken in October of junior year § Helps prepare students for the SAT PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION A Primer: PSAT, SAT, and ACT SAT & ACT § Used for college admissions § Used for scholarships + merit-based grants § Can retake several times § Colleges accept both tests! § Usually taken Spring of junior year + Fall of senior year PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 3
12/22/16 New PSAT/NMSQT Overview Category Features Timing 2 hours, 45 minutes Aligned with the New SAT, and almost Structure the same length No Essay § No guessing penalty § Now scored on a scale of 1520 Scoring ü Evidence-Based Reading & Writing ü Math PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION Why the PSAT/NMSQT Matters Excellent practice for the New SAT Connect students to schools & scholarships National Merit Scholarships and more PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 4
12/22/16 PSAT Score Report Timeline Scores Delivered Scores Delivered Hard Copies of Scores Electronically to Electronically to Mailed to Schools schools: schools: (Expected Delivery January 2017) Dec 5, 2016 Dec 12, 2016 PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION The PSAT Score Report PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 5
12/22/16 PSAT Scoring Details Composite Score § Sum of the two Area Scores § Range of 320 - 1520 Area Score Area Score § Evidence-Based Reading + § Math Writing § Range of 160 - 760 § Range of 160 - 760 Test Scores § 3 scores: Math, Reading, and Writing & Language § Range of 8 - 38 PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION Your Scores Your Scores PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 6
12/22/16 PSAT & SAT Scoring: How Do They Compare? SAT: 400-1600 PSAT/NMSQT: 320-1520 300 600 900 1200 1500 Composite Score Range PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION Cross-Test Scores 8-38 Score Range 2 Number of Scores 2 Cross-Test Scores: Definition § 1. Analysis in History/Social Sciences 2. Analysis in Science Scores will reflect how students § perform on specific questions across Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing that are tied to History/Social Studies and Science PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 7
12/22/16 Subscores 1-15 Score Range 7 Number of Scores Reading and Writing & Language: Definition § ü Command of Evidence ü Relevant Words in Context Writing & Language: § ü Expression of Ideas ü Standard English Conventions Math § ü The Heart of Algebra ü Passport to Advanced Math ü Problem Solving and Data Analysis PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION Your Scores (cont.) PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 8
12/22/16 National Merit PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION Next Steps PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 9
12/22/16 PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION PSAT/NMSQT Essentials The PSAT highest score possible on the PSAT is 1520 Fact Colleges use PSAT scores to make admissions decisions Myth! There is a wrong answer penalty on the PSAT to discourage Myth! guessing The PSAT is not like any other test you take in school Fact You can prepare for the PSAT Fact The PSAT is just like the SAT Myth! PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 10
12/22/16 Comparing the SAT and ACT PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION SAT (Post March 2016) Overview Category Features 3 hours, 50 minutes Timing including 50 minute essay Now scored on a scale of 1600 • ü Evidence-Based Reading & Writing ü Math Scoring New optional Essay scored separately • No wrong answer penalty • 4 answer choices • PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 11
12/22/16 SAT Overview Category Features Reading and Writing combined • Reading details: • Evidence-based No sentence completions ü Reading & Passage topics include US and World Literature, ü Writing Section History/Social Studies, and Sciences (500 - 750 words) 65 minutes ü Writing and Language details: • Focus on extended prose (400 - 500 words) ü 35 minutes ü PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION SAT Overview Category Features Three areas of concentrated focus: • ü Problem solving and data analysis ü “The Heart of Algebra” ü “Passport to Advanced Math” Math Section Math fluency emphasized • ü 25 minutes / 20 questions without a Calculator ü 55 minutes / 38 questions with a Calculator Grid-In questions • PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 12
12/22/16 ACT Overview Category Features 3 hours, 25 minutes Timing including 40 minute essay Scored on a scale from 1 – 36 • average score from four test sections: ü English Scoring ü Math ü Reading ü Science Optional Essay scored separately • No wrong answer penalty • PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION ACT Sections Category Features 45 minutes / 75 questions English Evaluate the structure of various passages: Usage/Mechanics/Grammar • Rhetorical skills / organizing text • 60 minutes / 60 questions Mathematics • Large focus on Algebra and Geometry • A few Trigonometry questions 35 minutes / 40 questions Reading Compare and contrast paired passages • 35 minutes / 40 questions Science Data interpretation and analysis • PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 13
12/22/16 Optional Essays on the SAT and ACT Category Features § Essay is optional § 50 min on SAT, 40 min on ACT Essay Asks students to write a timed essay on a given topic, integrating text content PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION Reading Passage Topics Sciences Humanities Humanities SS/History Literature Literature Careers SS/History Sciences New SAT ACT PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 14
12/22/16 Math Skills Tested Data Analysis/Problem Solving Data Analysis/Problem Solving Geometry Algebra Algebra Geometry Trig Trig New SAT ACT PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION SAT vs. ACT: Common Misconceptions The SAT is more widely accepted than the ACT Myth! The ACT is easier than the SAT Myth! You should only take the ACT if you are good at science Myth! PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 15
12/22/16 SAT and ACT: Top 5 Key Differences 1. The SAT has a greater focus on History & Social Studies passages, while the ACT requires more Science reading. 2. Both focus on Algebra, but the SAT has a greater emphasis ACT? on Data Analysis & Problem Solving. New SAT? 3. Both essays are optional, but the SAT essay requires What’s the additional text analysis. Difference? 4. The SAT has a No Calculator Math section. 5. The SAT Math section has grid-in questions. PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION Setting yourself up for success: SAT & ACT DO… Why Reading comprehension is heavily tested – Read, read, read! reading for fun will help The SAT and ACT reflect skills learned in Pay attention in class the classroom Get an SAT or ACT book and The types of questions repeat a lot do practice problems Get to know the format The instructions are always the same Take practice tests You’ll know what to expect on test day PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 16
12/22/16 Your Next Steps Junior Year Senior Year § PSAT in October for National § Take the SAT and/or ACT for the Merit Qualification last time § Focus on Academics – this is a § Take AP and Subject Tests critical year! § Request recommendation letters § Research admissions § Complete college applications requirements for target, reach, § Fill out FAFSA and safety schools § Research scholarships § Prepare for the SAT or ACT § Keep your grades up! § Take AP and Subject Tests PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION Next Steps and Resources What do you need? Where to find it: A Free Practice Test – learn what Online at www.kaptest.com the SAT/ACT is like SAT Change Resources www.kaptest.com/satchange Where Do I Register for the SAT/ACT? SAT/ACT Resources www.collegeboard.com www.act.org Your College Counselors PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 17
12/22/16 Thank You! Ryan DeGuzman, Pre-College Programs Manager ryan.deguzman@kaplan.com 973-845-8855 Feel free to contact me, visit kaptest.com/satchange, or call 1-800-KAP-TEST for additional resources, classes, and information about the New SAT and ACT. PSAT SCORE INTERPRETATION 18
Recommend
More recommend
