PSAT: October 14th

Good luck to all students on the PSAT/NMSQT! On Wednesday, October 14, all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will participate in the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT).  This nationally standardized test measures skills in critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing.  It tests the ability to reason with facts and concepts rather than the ability to recall or recite them.  These abilities, developed over years of study over a wide range of courses, are strong predictors of success in college.

The PSAT is also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT).   From the juniors who take this test each year, top scorers are selected and awarded scholarships ranging from $2,500 up to $40,000.  In addition to these Merit Scholarships, over 500 corporations and institutions use PSAT/NMSQT scores to award financial grants to children of their employees.   The PSAT/NMSQT is also used by the National Achievement Scholarship Program which recognizes and supports outstanding African-American students across the county and encourages their involvement in higher education.

The Anne Arundel County Public School system pays for the PSAT/NMSQT test for all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.  Students will have the opportunity to practice test questions during Seminar classes.  Students will also receive a practice test to take at home.   Additional practice tests, with immediate feedback and tutorials, are available on line at www.collegeboard.com.

 Parents, please remind your students to bring #2 pencils and an approved calculator to school on Wednesday, Oct 14.   Please encourage your students to take full advantage of this free opportunity and to try their very hardest.  The tests provide valuable practice for the future.   The College Board websites help individual students identify their strengths and hone in on areas needing improvement.  The score reports that arrive in December will also highlight ways that students can raise their scores on future tests.  Your support at home will go a long way toward getting our students into the college of their choice and toward obtaining scholarship money to make their (and your!) dreams come true.