Understanding PSAT/NMSQT® Scores for Parents

Jane Dapkus, Vice President, SAT and PSAT/NMSQT Programs, The College Board

Anju Khetan, Product Manager, Khan Academy

Nara Lee, Senior Program Manager for Outreach and Partnerships, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

PSAT/NMSQT®

• 4 million students took the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2015. • This fall millions more students took the test because it:

• Tests what students learn in high school and what they need to succeed in

college. • Measures the same skills and knowledge as the SAT® in a way that

makes sense for 10th and 11th graders. • Is the entry point to the National Merit Scholarship Program. • Is the perfect starting point for practicing for the SAT. • Gives students access to a personalized SAT study plan on Khan

Academy®. • Identifies students who are likely to succeed in AP® courses. • Helps students explore their career interests through a new tool called

"Roadmap to Careers.”

• Connects students to scholarship opportunities.

• Scores will be available online starting on December 12.

What is the PSAT/NMSQT?

• Scores will be available online December 12, and schools will receive paper reports to hand out to students in December.

• 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 help students pinpoint their strengths and identify areas for more practice.

• Percentiles show how your child compared to their peers.

• College readiness benchmarks show if students are on track to be ready for college.

• Scores may be used to qualify for scholarships and recognition awards.

• What is a “good score”? The answer depends on which colleges your child may be considering.

• Colleges do NOT see PSAT/NMSQT scores.

3

Score Report What can we learn from PSAT/NMSQT® scores?

• Student and educator score reports include a section to identify students who are likely to do well on Advanced Placement® Exams.

• Schools can use AP Potential to identify students who are likely to do well on the AP Exam in one or more of 23 different AP Courses.

• Encourage your child to talk to their counselor about which AP courses they should consider taking the next school year.

• AP Potential gives students a chance to challenge themselves with college-level coursework in high school. Make sure your child takes advantage of this great opportunity!

4

Should my child take Advanced Placement Program® courses?

AP Potential™

• The College Board and Roadtrip Nation teamed up to create a new, personalized tool that links students’ passions to majors and careers.

• This interactive tool is available at no cost to students who took the PSAT/NMSQT®.

• The 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 their careers in fields like medicine, film, journalism, government, and many more.

• Roadmap to Careers also provides insights from professionals on how to build a life and career, so students can think about what courses they’re taking in high school and connect them to career interests.

5

Where do we find information about college majors and careers?

Roadmap to Careers

• Your child should log into their account at psat.org/scorereport on December 12.

• Talk to your child about getting ready for the SAT®. • Many juniors take the SAT in the spring (March 11, May 6, June 3).

• 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. • Scholarship partners include American Indian Graduate Center, Asian

& Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, United Negro College Fund, and Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.

6

Next Steps with Scores

• What does Khan Academy do?

• What is Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy? What makes it so useful?

• How do you link your College Board and Khan Academy accounts? What does that do?

• When should students start practicing for the SAT? How often should they practice?

• What can parents do to help their kids use Official SAT Practice?

7

Official SAT® Practice on Khan Academy®

• What is the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation?

• How many Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars were identified because they took the PSAT/NMSQT®?

• The PSAT/NMSQT connects students to scholarships, but many nonprofits, business groups, companies, and civic organizations provide scholarship funds as well. How can students find and access those kinds of scholarships?

• What things should students keep in mind when they are working on their scholarship applications?

• What do you look for in an effective scholarship application?

• What advice do you have for parents whose children are applying to college?

8

Scholarship Opportunities

Please submit your questions in the Q&A module on the bottom right-hand corner of your screen.

9

Q&A

PSAT/NMSQT® Score Information: psat.org/scores PSAT/NMSQT Score Reports: psat.org/scorereport Official SAT® Practice with Khan Academy®: satpractice.org Jack Kent Cooke Foundation: jkcf.org National Merit Scholarship Program: nationalmerit.org How to link your College Board and Khan Academy accounts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIkCoQoZ21U

10

More Resources: communications@collegeboard.org

Contact:

Thank You.