Digital PSAT Given To All Shepton Students on Wednesday, October 4

Shepton students will be taking the PSAT on Wednesday, October 4. Our wonderful counselors have put together some information explaining a little bit more about the PSAT.

Please contact your student's counselor for more details.

1. THE PSAT FAMILIARIZES YOU WITH THE TEST QUESTIONS AND FORMAT OF THE SAT AND ACT

The PSAT is not an exact replica of their parent tests, but the questions, test formats, and scoring are similar.

 

Students generally take the PSAT in October of their junior year, but some students take it in their sophomore year. The PSAT, like the SAT, includes three multiple-choice tests: Reading, Writing and Language, and Mathematics. It does not include the SAT’s optional essay test, which was discontinued in January of 2021.

2. YOU’LL GET A “DRESS REHEARSAL” FOR TEST DAY

Taking the PSAT in a classroom, with other students, under strict time limits with a proctor present is the closest simulation you’ll get to taking the real tests. This “dry run” may help you feel less nervous when you take the SAT or ACT.

3. YOUR PSAT RESULTS CAN GUIDE YOUR TEST PREP

Your scores on these preliminary exams should highlight your strengths and any areas of improvement that you need to work on before you take the SAT or ACT. In addition to many other test prep services available to you (both online and brick-and-mortar), the College Board, alongside Khan Academy, offers free test prep personalized to your PSAT scores. The ACT also provides free practice tests and, through its partnership with Kaplan, offers fee-based prep courses and online tutoring.

4. COLLEGES WILL NOT SEE YOUR SCORES

Your scores PSAT are not be provided to colleges or other third parties or considered by colleges as part of their college admissions criteria.

5. YOUR PSAT SCORE MIGHT QUALIFY YOU FOR A NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

When you take the PSAT, you may earn a qualifying score to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program and compete for national recognition and college scholarships. To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, you must also satisfy high academic standards and other requirements.

6. COLLEGES MIGHT TRY TO RECRUIT YOU

When you sign up for the PSAT, you may opt to have limited personal information shared with colleges and scholarship providers. If you do opt in, be prepared to be inundated with mail, email, and invitations to apply. While this can be overwhelming, it also provides an opportunity to learn about various schools, programs, and scholarships that you might not have considered.