Does the PSAT Matter? Should You Prepare?

The 2018 PSAT is given to area high school juniors (and younger students in some districts) on Wednesday, October 19. But does this test really matter? Should you take it seriously? Is it something students should prepare for so that you do well?

Do Colleges Care About the PSAT?

The PSAT is not used directly by colleges and universities when they make their college admissions decisions.

Your acceptance or rejection into college is much more dependent on the SAT or ACT , so the short answer is “no,” colleges don’t care at all about the PSAT. An abysmal score on the PSAT will not have any direct effect on your chances of getting into a college.

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When the PSAT Does Matter?

You definitely want to keep PSAT scores in perspective. A low score will not be seen by colleges, so even if you don’t perform well you haven’t hurt your chances of getting into a top college or university. That said, a strong score on the PSAT can have significant advantages:

      • Your scores on the PSAT are used for awarding many scholarships including about 7,500 National Merit Scholarships, but to put National Merit into perspective: only a fraction of one percent of students become semi-finalists, and then only some of them see scholarship money. See more information by clicking here.

Do I Need to Take the S.A.T Subject Tests?

SAT Subject Tests were developed by the College Board to measure the student’s knowledge or skills in a certain area such as math, history, physical science, literature, and foreign language.  These tests can be taken at any point in the student’s junior or senior year as long as they have completed the related course work in that subject area.

Many colleges use the SAT Subject Tests for admission, for course placement, and to advise students about course selection. Some colleges specify the SAT Subject Tests that they require for admission or placement; others allow applicants to choose which tests to take.  If you are presently taking an Advanced Placement course in one of the areas listed below, you may want to consider taking the Subject Test in that topic in May or June since you are already studying for the AP test. Click here for list of Subject Tests offered.

What Types of Standardized Tests are Used in College Admissions?

Thinking ahead to standardized admissions testing for the college application? There are several types of standardized tests used for college admissions. Each one has a purpose and these tests give the college admissions representatives an idea of the student’s college readiness.  The admissions committee will often look at these scores in conjunction with the grade point average and rigor of courses taken by the student. The tests are the SAT, SAT Subject Test, ACT with Writing, TOEFL, and AP (Advanced Placement Tests). This link reveals an excellent comparison between the New SAT and the ACT – https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/compare-new-sat-act.

SAT Reasoning Test is a standardize test which measures a student’s verbal and mathematical aptitude as well as writing skills. Score range is 600-2400.

SAT Subject Tests were developed by the College Board to measure the student’s knowledge or skills in a certain area such as math, history, physical science, literature, and foreign language.  These tests can be taken at any point in the student’s junior or senior year as long as they have completed the related course work in that subject area.

ACT with Writing is also taken nationally like the SAT. It focuses on English usage, mathematics usage, social science reading, and science reading. An optional writing section is recommended by most colleges. Score range is 1-36. Read more about other standardized tests used by college admissions office.

YIKES….Filling Out the FAFSA? Get Free Help Online January 17 From 2PM to 10 PM EST!

ScreenHunter_163 Jan. 08 14.00YIKES….FILLING OUT THE FAFSA?
I received this important email from CollegeWeekLive.  Check out events scheduled in the US at this link – http://www.collegeweeklive.com/event-schedule/paying-for-college

Students, parents and counselor are invited to participate in scheduled events including Paying for College and All Day Access free sessions. There will be opportunity to get questions about the 2018 FAFSA answered, uncover the best scholarships, compare financial aid offer letters, and more. Paying for College Day is pening online tomorrow, January 17, 2018 from 2:00PM to 10PM EST!

In this free online event, you’ll get step-by-step instructions on completing the FAFSA, finding the best scholarships, and evaluating the pros and cons of various financial aid options. You’ll also be able to:
•Chat live with financial aid reps from hundreds colleges and universities
•Get insider advice from the U.S. Department of Education, American Student Assistance and other financial aid experts
•Enter to win a $2,500 college scholarship just for chatting with colleges online

Sign up for free at CollegeWeekLive.com and login anytime during tomorrow’s event to participate!

Thanks!
Sincerely,
The folks at CollegeWeekLive.com!

The Importance of Vocabulary in College Test Prep

ScreenHunter_1479 Feb. 16 17.59A large vocabulary is essential for achieving high scores on ACT/SAT and other college tests. These tests have a vocabulary section, and various reading sections – all of which require vocabulary. The more words one knows, the easier it is to excel in these various areas.

Since the reading sections of these tests require time to read and analyze, the more words you know the faster you can read and grasp the issue. Therefore, you will not have to pause, and you will spend less time on these areas – time that you can then spend on other areas of the tests.

Finally, for the essay section of these tests, the larger your vocabulary the more impressive your essays will be! In addition, as Professor Charles Says, “Every word is an idea!” So, the larger your vocabulary, the more ideas you can include in the essays.

More important than any tests, “Education is a wealth which you can never lose.” These are words you will have for the rest of your life.

Check out links for free test prep: number2.com, ineedapencil, collegeboard.com, act.org, sparknotes test prep, grock it, and khanacacdemy.com.

 

Quick Tips for Prepping for Standardized Tests

Start soon enough to make a difference. The student should give themselves an adequate amount of time to prepare for the various subject areas. Sufficient preparation will leave the student feeling less rushed and reduce their anxiety.  Various test preparation tools are available such as study guides, flashcards, Internet programs, and CD’s produced by the testing companies. Be sure to get enough sleep the night before the test.  The student should read, read, read to build your reading comprehension skills.

Check out links for free test prep: number2.com, ineedapencil, collegeboard.com, act.org, sparknotes test prep, grock it, and khanacacdemy.com.

 

How Should You Apply to College: Early, Regular, Rolling…

The application deadline is the date by which all completed applications are due to the college. In some cases the date will be a postmark date; in others it will be a date by which all material must be received. It will be helpful to read the section called, “How to Apply” on each college’s website.

Early Action – Early Action is an admission plan offered by some highly selective colleges which allows the most qualified students the comfort of a letter of acceptance in December. The student does not have to withdraw other applications and does not have to accept or refuse the EA offer of admission until May 1. Read more about Early Decision, Rolling Admission, Regular Decision, and the Waitlist.