PSAT 2016

Yesterday, 11th grade students that took the PSAT in October got back a copy of their score along with their test booklet. This was the first year in recent memory where the PSAT was not paid for by the DOE and offered on a school day, so it was a little bit unique in that students had to actively sign up and come in on a Saturday to sit for the exam.

This PSAT is a redesigned PSAT (the second year of this new format) and it was out of 1520 points. As I shared with the students yesterday, no one at ElRo got a 1520 this year so everyone has room for improvement.

The mean score at ElRo this year for the PSAT was a 1220. For context, the mean score for all NYCDOE schools was a 986 and the mean score in New York State was a 1022. The College Board has not published a national mean at this time, but in general the 50th percentile looks to be about a 1030.

The exam has two sections - Evidence Based Reading and Writing and Math. Each section is out of 760 points.

No college can see the PSAT scores and they play no role in college admission. The only thing the score officially counts for is the National Merit Scholarship - a program we usually see 1 ElRo student per year qualify for.

The real use of the PSAT score is to help determine if the student is better in the SAT or the ACT. We are holding a mock ACT here at ElRo this weekend, but there are also online tests and alternative in person practice exams offered throughout the city. Use this concordance table to compare PSAT scores to ACT scores. 

The point is to take a snapshot of the student's raw ability and see if there is an advantage to using one test over the other. Many students are even on both, and for them you just pick the test you like better.

I recommend taking the 'real' SAT or ACT two times total. At least one of those times needs to be during junior year. But, some students like to study over the summer and take their second administration the first offering of senior year. Every student is unique and should follow the testing plan that works best for them.

Note: This year the DOE is paying for all students to take a real SAT in school on April 5th. This exam will not include the optional writing section. If you are an 'ACT Kid' don't worry, this exam is not sent to colleges unless you specifically want it to be-- your score will not impact your college applications unless you want it to be seen.

If you are a junior looking to take a Kaplan group class at ElRo in the spring in preparation for the March/April SAT or April ACT, use this link to register. Classes are dependent on meeting minimum enrollment, so sign up now if you are interested.

If you have additional questions about standardized testing, be sure to save the date for the 'Demystifying Standardized Testing' evening event on January 19 at 6:00 pm here at ElRo.

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