By Jada Wiggins – September 28, 2017

The PSAT, a preliminary SAT that measures math and evidence-based reading and writing skills, will be administered Oct. 11 at Captain Shreve.

When students score in the top 1 percent of test-takers nationwide, they are eligible for a National Merit Scholarship.

A two-hour crash course was offered on Sept. 26 to help students prepare for the PSAT. Math teacher Allison Simon and English teacher Celia Mangham discussed test-taking strategies and addressed other questions students had before the test. The PSAT has a different format from that of the tests students are used to, so the course also helped them become familiar with the format.

“Reviewing what they have learned in previous math and English classes or going to tutoring with their teachers can play a part in the review process,” counselor Emmye Allen said.

She believes that going to tutoring sessions that teachers are offering would help students to better review some material before the test. Allen also suggested reviewing the questions in the student packet that was given back from the PSAT 10. She said it will help students remember something that was learned, and it reviews the format of the questions that are on the PSAT.

“They should take the practice test,” Mangham said. “More information is available on the College Board website.”

The College Board website has many different practice tests that a student could take to help them prepare. Mangham said that by taking these practice tests and the PSAT, it will give students an idea of how the SAT test works.

“The day of the test they can prepare by getting a good night’s sleep, eating a good breakfast and trying not to get stressed,” Simon said.

Simon also said that if students focus on doing their best, then they will succeed.

Practice tests and sample questions are available online at the College Board website.