Welcome to PHS PSAT Info/ Soph /Junior Parent Night #1

1. Welcome to PHS PSAT Info/Soph/Junior Parent Night #1 PHS Guidance Department October 11th, 2012

2. The PHS Guidance Department • James Ash-Director of Guidance (V-Z) • Robin Hogan (A-Fl) • Joanne McClune (Fl-M) • Emily Hopwood (M-T) • Jan Morin-Guidance Secretary • Holly Gerety-Adjustment Counselor

3. Why Are We Here? • All PHS Sophomores and Juniors will take the PSAT on Wednesday October 17th(no cost) • Junior year is a very important year… • …so is sophomore year • We wanted to provide more information earlier in the year • Mark your calendars • Wednesday December 5th-Financial Aid Night • Wednesday January 16th-Junior Parent Night #2 • Tuesday January 29th-Junior Parent Night #3

4. Let’s Start With…The “SAT” • Many colleges and universities require one or more standardized test/s as part of the application process. • Standardized tests are used to help make admissions decisions, along with… • Transcript (courses taken and performance) • Activities • Essay/s • Letters of Recommendation • Interview • Other Intangibles

5. Standardized Tests Are… • SAT • Most common (this area) college admission test • Tests Critical Reading, Math, Writing Skills • SAT subject tests • 1 hour, content based tests • Required by about 160 of the (usually) most selective colleges and universities (in addition to the SAT) • ACT • Another college admission test (accepted by all colleges) • Tests English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing (optional) • www.fairtest.org(850 test-optional schools)

6. When and How? SAT and SAT Subject Tests ACT ACT $35.00 (w/out writing) ACT (w/writing) $35.00+$15.50=$50.50 Fee Waivers are available Dates (Deadlines): February 9th (January 11th) April 13th (March 8th) June 8th (May 3th) www.act.org Special Ed Accommodations • SAT $50.00 • SAT Subject Tests • $23.00+$12.00/per test • Fee waivers are available • Dates (Deadlines): • March 9th (Feb 8th) • May 4th (April 5th) • June 1st (May 2nd) • www.collegeboard.com • Special Ed Accommodations

7. Therefore, the PSAT/NMSQT is… • “The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT®. It also gives you a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools.” (The College Board) • The PSAT/NMSQT measures (similar to the SAT): • Critical reading skills • Math problem-solving skills • Writing skills

8. Types Of Questions on the PSAT • The PSAT/NMSQT includes five sections: • Two 25-minute critical reading sections • Two 25-minute math sections • One 30-minute writing skills section • The whole test requires two hours and 10 minutes. (plus about 45 minutes for administrative details)

9. Critical Reading • 13 Sentence Completions • A discerning publishing agent can ------- promising material from a mass of submissions, separating the good from the bad. • (A) supplant • (B) dramatize • (C) finagle • (D) winnow   CORRECT ANSWER • (E) overhaul • 35 Critical Reading Questions

10. Math Questions • 28 Multiple Choice • 10 Student Produced Responses • 4 Categories • Numbers and Operation • Algebra and Functions (but not 3rd year level math that may appear on the new SAT) • Geometry and Measurement • Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability • For example… If y = (x + 3)2, then (-2x - 6)2 must equal which of the following? • (A) -4y2 • (B) -2y2 • (C) -4y • (D) 2y • (E) 4yCORRECT ANSWER

11. Writing Skills • 14 Identifying Sentence Errors • Correct Answer: C • 20 Improving Sentences • Hearing that the Statue of Liberty did not have a pedestal, a campaign was begun by Joseph Pulitzer to raise money for the construction of one. • (A)   a campaign was begun by Joseph Pulitzer to raise money • (B)   a campaign to raise money was initiated by Joseph Pulitzer • (C)   money was raised in a campaign by Joseph Pulitzer • (D)   Joseph Pulitzer began a campaign to raise money   CORRECT ANSWER • (E)   Joseph Pulitzer had campaigned to raise money • 5 Improving Paragraphs

12. Scoring the PSAT/NMSQT • 20-80 point scale for Critical Reading, Math, and Writing • Correct answer=1 point • Omitted question=0 points • Wrong answer for multiple choice=minus ¼ point • Wrong answer to student produced math=no points lost

13. National Merit Scholarship Competition-NMSQT • The PSAT enters all juniors in the NMSC (about 1.5 million students) • They compete for 9600 National Merit Scholarships ($2500) • 1.5 Million • 50,000 High Scorers • 34,000 Commended Students and 16,000 Semi-finalists • 15,000 Finalists • 9600 Merit and Special Scholarship Recipients

14. PSAT Results • Scores back in early December • Students will get… • Their test booklet • Their 4 page score sheet • *Students have/will have a practice test booklet to prepare

15. Now What About Junior Year? • Junior year is important for several reasons, including… • It’s an appropriate time to begin thinking about Post-Secondary plans • Colleges and universities see junior year often as a better reflection of one’s abilities and potential rather than earlier high school years.

16. Goals Of Junior Year • Students should perform well academically • Students should begin/continue with extra activities • What have you done besides go to class? • Student should take appropriate standardized tests • Beginning second semester, students should formally begin their post-secondary research • Guidance Seminar • Students should have fun

17. It is Our Hope That… • We would like all juniors to engage in the post-secondary planning junior year • We will again offer junior guidance seminars to help student begin this process (sem 2) • Post-Secondary planning can include… • College planning • Professional/Trade school • Military • PG Year • GAP Year • Work

18. What Can You Do? • Talk to and support your son/daughter about his/her post-secondary thoughts and the importance of junior year • Educate yourself about the cost of college and the financial aid process • Discuss this with your son/daughter • Encourage him/her to explore all the options and to think beyond his/her current comfort zone.

19. Naviance • Naviance is a web-based computer program that is used by Guidance Departments across the country • Allows easy email communication • Has career exploration tools • Primarily designed for help with the college research and application process

20. Finally • Dates to remember • Wednesday December 5th-Financial Aid Night • Wednesday January 16th-Junior Parent Night #2 • Tuesday January 29th-Junior Parent Night #3 • QUESTIONS? • Thanks for attending!