With all of my application and college visit postings, I'm excited to give the 10th and 11th grade a little blog love. Unfortunately, I wish I could be writing about something other than bubbling in circles, but alas the PSAT is next week and I want to give everyone the run down.
Who: 10th and 11th grade
What: PSAT, offered for free through the Board of Ed
When: Next Wednesday, October 13, report to school no later than 8:30 am
Where: At ElRo, students will get room assignments when they arrive
Why: For 10th grade it is a benchmark to let you get familiar with the test and see how you do with no prep or previous exposure. For 11th grade it is a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship, but more importantly it is a more accurate updated baseline to where your SAT can be predicted to fall (I suggest students take the real SAT in the spring semester)
The test lasts two and a half hours and students will have lunch at ElRo followed by a movie.
What to bring: #2 Pencils, a good eraser, and a calculator. NO PHONES OR ELECTRONICS ARE PERMITTED
Tips:
- The PSAT/SAT penalize for incorrect answers, so if you don't have any idea on a hard question, leave it blank. On the other hand, the ACT (a different college standardized testing brand) does not penalize for wrong answers. The way to remember: answer ALL questions on the ACT answer SOME questions on the SAT.
** Yes, they've already planned for those of you want are thinking that you'll just answer three or four easy questions and get a perfect score. At most leave 3 or 4 blank per section.
- I know it sounds like the opposite of what I just said, but guessing IS ok if you can narrow it down to two or three choices.
- Relax. The P in PSAT means practice so your scores are not reported to colleges and have no impact on your applications. The test is just for you. You'll do better if you are not stressed.
- Don't forget your supplies, the math section is much less fun if you don't have a calculator.
Good Luck!
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