PSAT

What is the PSAT?

The PSAT is a test used to prepare for the SAT, one of two primary exams used for college admissions. Additionally, the test is also used for many scholarship opportunities that a high-achieving student may qualify for.

About the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 8/9

Promoting College Readiness: The PSAT/NMSQT helps students become college-ready. It provides detailed feedback on skills, access to scholarships and personalized online tools, and excellent practice for the SAT. The PSAT/NMSQT assesses reading, math, and writing skills. It does so in the same format for the SAT, which can help create a specific study plan for future success on the SAT. However, there are some very clear advantages of taking the PSAT.

For instance:

National Merit Scholarship Program

PSAT/NMSQT scores are used as an initial screen of entrants to the National Merit Scholarship Program, which recognizes outstanding academic achievement by U.S. high school students. Click here to learn more about the National Merit Scholarship Program

Recognition of Outstanding Hispanic/Latino Students

The College Board recognizes academically outstanding Hispanic/Latino U.S. high school students. Click here to learn more about the National Hispanic Recognition Program

National Scholarship Service

The National Scholarship Service offers a free college advisory and referral service for eleventh-grade African-American students. To participate write to: National Scholarship Service 980 Martin Luther King Drive, SW, PO Box 11409 Atlanta, GA 30310

Telluride Seminar Scholarships

The Telluride Association offers scholarships to gifted eleventh-grade students for their six-week summer program in the humanities and social sciences. Telluride Association Website

Practice Test and Sample Questions

Take a full-length practice test, explore sample questions, and visit Khan Academy. Go to Practice for the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10.

Give It a Try and See for Yourself

What will the redesigned PSAT/NMSQT and the PSAT 10 really be like? Find out firsthand by printing and taking the official redesigned PSAT/NMSQT practice test.

You can also explore these sample questions:

Reading Sample Questions
Writing and Language Sample Questions
Math Sample Questions
Calculator: Permitted
Calculator: Not Permitted
Note that the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 do not include an essay.

PSAT Score Ranges

With more scores, the new PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 8/9 provide a clear, early picture of you and your readiness for college. They help you and your teachers pinpoint areas for improvement. Learn about the tests' place in the vertical score scale that spans all tests in the SAT Suite of Assessments.

PSAT/NMSQT Score Ranges

PSAT/NMSQT Score Reported	Details	Score Range
Total Score	Sum of the two section scores.	320-1520
Section scores (2)	Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math.	160-760
Test scores (3)	Reading, Writing and Language, and Math.	8-38
Cross-test scores (2)	Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science. Based on selected questions in the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Tests.	8-38
Subscores (7)	Reading and Writing and Language: Command of Evidence and Words in Context. Writing and Language: Expression of Ideas and Standard English Conventions. Math: Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Passport to Advanced Math.	1-15

PSAT 8/9

PSAT 8/9	Details	Score Range
Total Score	Sum of the two section scores.	240-1440
Section scores (2)	Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math.	120-720
Test scores (3)	Reading, Writing and Language, and Math.	6-36
Cross-test scores (2)	Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science. Based on selected questions in the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Tests.	6-36
Subscores (6)	Reading and Writing and Language: Command of Evidence and Words in Context. Writing and Language: Expression of Ideas and Standard English Conventions. Math: Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis.	1-15

Presentation Recordings

2022-2023 Testing Dates

Accommodations

The following information is provided to parents and students who qualify for Special Education or Section 504. It is meant to help provide information on the process of applying for accommodations through the College Board (SAT, AP and PSAT/NMSQT). If you think your child will need accommodations on any test offered by these entities, please be sure to read through the information carefully and take note of NISD campus deadlines that must be adhered to in order for us to submit requests by College Board deadlines.

In order to use accommodations on College Board tests, accommodations must be approved by the College Board's Department of Services for Students with Disabilities. With limited exceptions, once approved for accommodations, students remain approved and do not have to reapply when they register for future College Board tests. This includes the SAT, AP and PSAT/NMSQT programs.

Note that the use of accommodations in school, or on an Individual Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan does not automatically qualify a student for accommodations on ACT or College Board tests. Students are required to apply separately for ACT testing and/or College Board testing accommodations.

Not all students with disabilities require accommodations. Some accommodations received by students in school are not necessary for the purposes of participating in College Board tests. To ensure that the College Board provides the right accommodations, a student's documentation must meet their criteria.

Students who show that their disabilities affect participation in a College Board exam are eligible to take those exams with accommodations. Using accommodations not approved by the College Board results in cancellation of scores. No one is automatically approved.

To be eligible for accommodations on College Board tests, a student must have a documented disability. The documentation needed depends on the student’s disability and the accommodations being requested. In some cases, documentation must be submitted to the College Board.

Information can also be obtained by contacting the College Board directly at:

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), College Board SSD Program, P.O. Box 8060, Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864-0060 Phone: (609) 771-7137

The College Board Parent Consent Form can be found at: Requesting Accommodations

Visit the College Board's Accommodations site for more information.

Staff Testing Suggestions

Your team should consist of APs, the librarian, a student services facilitator and nurse.
Cross train everyone on every part but have a few with specific duties. Make a checklist.
Offer many sessions of training in one day, make a list of each person who needs to attend training, cross off when they come.
Have the nurse send list of students with medications. Have a table set up in hall for her to administer medications during break. The list will help notate which students to send.
Have student backpacks at the front of the room, with phones set to off (not just vibrate). Have student place snacks on the outside of the backpack. They are not allowed to open the backpacks at all during testing.
Have one person assigned to handle calculators, such as the math chair. This person will work with the science department to coordinate all the calculator needs.
In the month ahead, during English class, pass out student information booklet and review student email with PSAT details. Also, send out flyers and information to students' families.
Verify that each student's answer sheet has the grade selected.

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