This "practice" test will provide you, your parents and your counselor with some base line verbal and math scores that will indicate how you can expect to do on the SAT I. The PSAT contains the same types of questions and produces basically the same kind of scores found on the SAT I. This test is great for determining what academic areas you may want to focus on to improve your scores by the time you have to take the SAT I. Think of the PSAT as a "preview" and use that preview to plan ahead for the spring of your junior year. REMEMBER, the better you do on those SAT's, the more you MAXIMIZE your chances of attending the schools of your choice.
The PSAT will give you valuable experience in learning how to deal with the pressure of taking a timed test. It will also allow you to get more comfortable with the way standardized tests are set up. (The types of questions used, how they are phrased, etc.)
How many times can I take the PSAT and how much does it cost?
You generally will want to take the PSAT twice, in the fall of your sophomore year and again in the fall of your junior year. The PSAT test fee is $13, though schools generally charge an additional fee for administering this test. For more information, contact the College Board (1-888-477-PSAT).
Will colleges use my PSAT scores in determining whether or not I am admitted?
No, Colleges rarely, if ever, see your PSAT scores and even if they do, they don't "count" them for you or against you. Don't panic about the PSAT. Use it as a tool to help you improve future SAT I scores. Most students score higher on standardized tests as they get further through school due to more "learning" (of course) and by just getting more comfortable with the testing format.
When can I expect my scores back from the PSAT and what do they tell me?
Usually scores will be sent to your school in early December. The scores will be distributed to you along with an explanation booklet. You will receive 2 scores, a verbal evaluation and a mathematics evaluation. The scores range from 20 to 80. (These scores are meant to line up with the SAT I scoring system of 200 to 800; just add a zero to your PSAT score and you see the potential SAT I score).
In 1995 the Educational Testing Service re-centered both the PSAT and SAT I scores. This re-centering of scores is a technical change made by the ETS to move the average scores on PSAT and SAT I tests back to the center of the scoring scale, for example; with the PSAT range of 20-80 re-centering scores would make the average score about 50, and for the SAT I, within the range of 200-800, 500 would be the average score. A more detailed explanation of this change and a Equivalence Table comparing the re-centered scores to the old method will be available in the PSAT or SAT I Bulletin announcement available in your counseling center.
The PSAT scores give you a general idea of what you can expect your SAT I scores to be. If you fall below the average scores of college bound students (this information is provided along with your test scores), you should begin to plan strategies to improve your performance.
What about scholarship opportunities and student search services and the PSAT?
The National Merit Scholarship Program uses the PSAT/NMSQT scores from your JUNIOR year as a way to determine if you are eligible for specific scholarship opportunities. Other organizations may use that junior year test as a qualifying score also. Check with your counselor for more specific information.
If you check the designated box on your PSAT score sheet, your scores will be sent to a group called the Student Search Service. They provide your scores to schools participating in their service. These colleges ask this service to provide them with the names of eligible students with scores in certain ranges, from certain geographic areas and other criteria. If you fall within one of these ranges set up by a college, you may be contacted with information about that school. Be aware that this in no way means you will be admitted to the school. Basically, it is a way for colleges to get information about you so they can advertise their school to you. If you don't want a bunch of stuff coming in the mail, you probably don't want to check mark that little box.
Test Dates and Deadlines
October 17th and/or 20th 2007
Contact your high school counselor. Test is administered by High Schools and not through test centers. Each school can choose just one test date.
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