The College Board hosted a webinar to share information about understanding PSAT/NMSQT scores. The webinar was hosted by Andrew Elwell from the College Board and featured Eric Li from Khan Academy and Andrea Satariano from Sewickley Academy. Learn more at collegeboard.org/parents.
2. • About the PSAT/NMSQT
• The PSAT/NMSQT score report
• Scholarship opportunities and other benefits
• Official SAT Practice
• How to use PSAT/NMSQT scores
• Q&A
2
Agenda
3. PSAT/NMSQT • Millions of students took the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2018.
• Why did they take it?
• It tests what students learn in high school and what they need to
succeed in college.
• It measures the same skills and knowledge as the SAT® in a way that
makes sense for 10th and 11th graders.
• It’s the entry point to the National Merit® Scholarship Program and
can qualify students for other scholarships.
• It’s the perfect starting point for practicing for the SAT.
• It gives students access to a personalized SAT study plan on Khan
Academy®.
• It identifies students likely to succeed in AP®..
• It lets students explore career interests through the Roadmap to
Careers tool.
• Scores are posted online December 10-12.
What is the PSAT/NMSQT®?
4. • Scores are posted online December 10−12, and schools will receive a
single copy of the paper score report for distribution to students.
• The total score is 1520 points and is on the same score scale as the SAT.
• Score reports include test scores, cross-test scores, and subscores that
pinpoint student strengths and identify areas that need work.
• Percentiles show how your child compared to their peers.
• College readiness benchmarks show if students are on track to be
prepared for college.
• Scores may be used to qualify for scholarships and recognition awards.
• What’s a “good score”? The answer depends on which colleges your child
is considering.
• Colleges do NOT see PSAT/NMSQT scores.
View scores at psat.org/myscore
4
Score Report
What can we learn from PSAT/NMSQT scores?
5. Scholarship Opportunities from
thePSAT/NMSQT
• When you take the PSAT/NMSQT or the PSAT™ 10 and say “yes” to our
free Student Search Service®, you can help scholarship providers find
you.
• We’ll also connect you to our scholarship partners, who offer over $235
million annually in scholarships to qualified low-income and minority
students.
• If you opt in to Student Search Service and qualify, you’ll be invited to
apply for scholarships in the fall of your senior year.
• Scholarship partners include National Merit Scholarship Program,
American Indian Graduate Center, Asian & Pacific Islander American
Scholarship Fund, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Cobell Scholarship
(awarded by Indigenous Education, Inc.), Hispanic Scholarship Fund,
Horatio Alger Association, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, The Jackie
Robinson Foundation, United Negro College Fund, and many more.
8. • Student and educator score reports include a section to identify students
likely to do well on Advanced Placement® Exams.
• Schools can use the AP Potential™ tool to identify students likely to do
well on the AP Exam in one or more of 30+ AP courses.
• Encourage your child to talk to their counselor about which AP courses
they should consider taking the next school year.
• AP courses give students a chance to challenge themselves with college-
level coursework in high school. It can earn them college credit to save
time and money for college.
• Make sure your child takes advantage of this great opportunity!
8
Should mychild takeAdvancedPlacement Program®
courses?
AP Potential
9. • The College Board and Roadtrip Nation teamed up to create a
personalized tool that links students’ passions to majors and careers.
• Roadmap to Careers is available at no cost to students who took the
PSAT/NMSQT.
• This interactive tool provides an engaging, online experience for students
to explore careers that reflect their interests.
• They can access videos and listen to stories in which successful people
talk about careers in fields such as medicine, film, journalism, and
government.
• Students also get insights from professionals on how to build a life and
career, so courses they take in high school jive with their interests.
9
Where dowe findinformation about collegemajors and
careers?
Roadmapto Careers
10. • Your child should log into their account at psat.org/scorereport December
10-12. The date their scores are posted depends on the state in which
your child is located.
• Talk to your child about getting ready for the SAT.
• Many juniors take the SAT in the spring (March 9, May 4, June 1,
August 24).
• Your child should talk to their school counselor about their performance.
• If your child opted into Student Search Service, they may receive
information from colleges and organizations looking for students like
them.
• Scholarship and recognition programs may reach out to eligible students.
10
NextStepswith Scores
11. • Tell us about Khan Academy
• What is Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy?
• How do students use their scores from the PSAT/NMSQT on Khan
Academy to create a study plan?
• When should students start practicing for the SAT? How often should they
practice?
• What can parents do to help their kids using Official SAT Practice?
11
OfficialSAT Practiceon Khan
Academy
12. • What is a “good score” on the PSAT/NMSQT?
• How can parents help their child build a college list? How many colleges
should be on it?
• How should parents help their child enroll in AP? How many classes do
you recommend?
• When is the right time to start looking for and applying for scholarships?
• Any other steps you’d recommend parents of sophomores should take
this year?
• Any other steps you’d recommend parents of juniors should take this
year?
12
How touse PSAT/NMSQT
scores
13. Please submit your questions in the Q&A module on the
bottom left-hand corner ofyour screen.
13
Q&A
14. PSAT/NMSQT Score Information:
psat.org/scores
PSAT/NMSQT Score Reports:
psat.org/scorereport
Official SAT Practice with Khan Academy:
satpractice.org
National Merit Scholarship Program:
nationalmerit.org
College Board Opportunity Scholarships:
cb.org/opportunity
College Board Scholarship Partners:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-
10/scholarships-and-recognition/scholarship-partners-programs
How to link your College Board and Khan Academy
accounts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIkCoQoZ21U
BigFuture:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
14
Resources:
"We'll be speaking with our partners at Khan Academy and the JKCF this evening to learn more about personalized practice and scholarship opportunities."
Highlight that the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT are on the same vertical scale, so the score students received on the PSAT/NMSQT is the same score they would have received on the SAT if they had taken the SAT on the same day.
"We'll be speaking with our partners at Khan Academy and the JKCF this evening to learn more about personalized practice and scholarship opportunities."