The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)/The National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) The PSAT/NMSQT is something of a "practice" test for the SAT. This test is usually taken in the fall of your junior year. This is a standardized test offered by the College Testing Board. The score you get on this test gives you an idea of how you would do on the SAT; however that does not mean that your score cannot change from the PSAT to the SAT. Like the SAT, the PSAT assesses your ability within the areas of reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics, and vocabulary. It may be offered at your school or a nearby school, so be sure to ask your counselor for more information. Not only does the PSAT give you an idea of your performance on the SAT, but it also qualifies you for the National Merit Scholarship. PSAT scores, high school record, and recommendations from the school principal or counselor determine eligibility for this scholarship, which is sponsored by a corporation, business, or college. Another similar scholarship is the National Hispanic Merit Scholarship. The eligibility is the same as the National Merit Scholarship, except it is awarded to students of Hispanic origin. The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) The SAT is a standardized test designed by the College Testing Board. It is designed to compare the abilities of students across the country. There are two types of SAT tests: the SAT I and the SAT II. The SAT I Reasoning Test The SAT I assesses your verbal and math reasoning skills. The test lasts approximately three hours and is made up of seven sections. Your score may range from 200 to 800 on each section. You must work within each section of the test for only the time allotted. Verbal Section Verbal questions assess your ability in three areas. First, they assess your ability to understand and analyze what you read (critical reading). Secondly, they examine your ability to recognize different parts of a sentence (sentence completions). Verbal questions also measure your ability to establish relationships between pairs of words (analogies). Two of the sections last 30 minutes and another section lasts 15 minutes. Critical Reading: There are 40 questions in the critical reading section. These questions examine your ability to read and think critically about a particular passage or a pair of passages. Sentence Completions: The sentence completion section contains 19 questions. This section measures your knowledge of word meanings. Also, these questions examine your ability to understand how different sentence parts logically fit together. Analogies: There are 19 questions in the analogies section. These questions measure your knowledge of the meanings of words and your ability to recognize similar relationships between a pair of words. Math The math section measures how well you solve problems using concepts from arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. Two of the math sections last 30 minutes while the other section lasts 15 minutes. There are three types of math questions. Thirty-five of the questions are multiple choice. There are 15 Quantitative Choice questions. These questions focus on the concepts of equalities, inequalities, and estimation. Also, there are 10 questions that you have to write out your own answer; there are no answer choices provided for you. Arithmetic: You will be required to answer questions using concepts from arithmetic such as: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; percent; statistics (i.e. mean, median, and mode); odd and even numbers, prime numbers; and divisibility. Algebra: Some questions will require that you use concepts from algebra such as: negative numbers, substitution, simplifying algebraic expressions, solving word problems, simple factoring, linear equations, inequalities, positive integer exponents, roots of numbers; and sequences. Geometry: Other questions will require concepts from geometry such as: the area and perimeter of a polygon, the area and circumference of a circle; the volume of a box, cube, and cylinder, the Pythagorean Theorem and special properties of the isosceles, equilateral, and right triangles; 30 - 60 - 90 degree triangles and 45 - 45 - 90 degree triangles; properties of parallel and perpendicular lines, simple coordinate geometry; slope; similarity; and geometric visualization. Miscellaneous: There are still other questions for which you will have to use concepts such as: logical reasoning; newly defined symbols that are based on commonly used symbols and operations; and probability and counting. The SAT II The SAT II assesses your knowledge in particular subject areas. The test consists of 17 achievement tests in different subject areas. You cannot take the SAT I and the SAT II on the same day. Some tips to note: You may work on one test during each testing hour. If you are registered for a listening test in November, you will take the listening test first. If you are also registered to take the writing test in November, you will take the writing test second. If you take the writing test, the 20-minute writing sample will be administered first. You will be alerted at the end of 20 minutes to go on to the multiple-choice questions. The American College Test (ACT) The ACT is another standardized test used in college admissions procedures. Like the SAT, the ACT is used to compare the abilities of students across the country. The test lasts approximately three hours. However, the format of the ACT differs from that of the SAT. The ACT is made up of four sections. English The English test consists of 75 questions and lasts 45 minutes. This test measures your understanding of the conventions of standard written English. Aspects that are not included are spelling, vocabulary, and rote recall of grammar rules. Within the English Test there are five prose passages which are accompanied by a set of multiple choice questions. There are three scores reported for the English Test: a total test score based on all 75 questions, a subscore in Usage/Mechanics based on 40 questions, and a subscore in Rhetorical Skills based on 35 questions. Usage/Mechanics Punctuation (35%) This section measures your knowledge of the conventions of internal and end-of-the-sentence punctuation. There is an emphasis on the relationship of punctuation to meaning. Basic Grammar and Usage (16%) You are tested on your understanding of agreement between subject and verb, pronoun and antecedent, and modifiers and the word modified. This section also tests verb formation; pronoun case; formation of comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs; and idiomatic usage. Sentence Structure (24%) This section measures your understanding of relationships between and among clauses, placement of modifiers, and shifts in construction. Rhetorical Skills Strategy (16%) This section tests how well you choose expressions appropriate to an essay's audience and purpose; judge the effect of adding, revising, or deleting supporting material; and choose effective opening, transitional, and closing sentences. Organization (15%) Here you are tested on your ability to organize ideas and judge the relevance of statements in context, such as making decisions about order, coherence, and unity. Style (16%) These questions examine how well you select precise words and images and how you maintain the level of style and tone in an essay. Also examined is your ability to manage sentence elements for rhetorical effectiveness and how you avoid ambiguous pronoun references, clichés, wordiness, and redundancy. Math In the Math section, there are 60 sections and the test lasts 60 minutes. The test focuses on the mathematical skills that are typically taken up to grade 12. The format is multiple choice, and you must use reasoning skills to solve these mathematical problems. Knowledge of complex formulas and extensive computation are not required, though you are expected to have knowledge of basic formulas and computational skills. The use of calculators is permitted for this section. There are four reported scores for this test: a total test score based on all 60 questions, a subscore in Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra based on 24 questions, a subscore in Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry based on 18 questions, and a subscore in Plane Geometry/Trigonometry based on 18 questions. Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra Pre-Algebra (23%) These questions focus on basic operations using whole numbers, integers, decimals, and fractions; place value; square roots and approximations; the concept of exponents; scientific notation; factors; ratio, proportion, and percent; linear equations in one variable; elementary counting techniques and simply probability; data collection, representation, and interpretation; and understanding simple descriptive statistics. Elementary Algebra (17%) This section has questions based on properties of exponents and square roots, evaluation of algebraic expressions through substitution, using variables to express functional relationships, understanding algebraic operations, and the solution of quadratic equations by factoring. Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry Intermediate Algebra (15%) These questions are based on an understanding of the quadratic formula, rational and radical expressions, absolute value equations and inequalities, sequences and patterns, systems of equations, quadratic inequalities, functions, modeling, matrices, roots of polynomials, and complex numbers. Coordinate Geometry (15%) This section has questions based on graphing and the relations between equations and graphs, including points, lines, polynomials, circles, and other curves; graphic inequalities; slope; parallel and perpendicular lines; distance; midpoints; and conics. Plane Geometry/Trigonometry Plane Geometry (23%) This section focuses on the properties and relations of plane figures, including angles and relations among perpendicular and parallel lines; properties of circles, triangles, rectangles, parallelograms, and trapezoids; transformations; the concept of proof and proof techniques; volume; and applications of geometry to three dimensions. Trigonometry (7%) Here you are tested on understanding trigonometric relations in right triangles; values and properties of trigonometric functions; graphic trigonometric functions; modeling using trigonometric functions; use of trigonometric identities; and solving trigonometric equations. Reading The Reading Test lasts 35 minutes and has 40 questions. These questions measure your reading comprehension as a result of your skill in referring and reasoning. Within the test are four prose passages that are similar to the level of those in college freshman curricula. Each passage includes a set of multiple choice questions. You are expected to derive meaning from these passages by referring to what is stated in the passages, as well as by reasoning to determine implicit meanings and draw conclusions, comparisons, and generalizations. There are three scores for the Reading Test: a total test score based on all 40 questions, a subscore in Social Studies/Sciences reading skills based on 20 questions, and a subscore in Art/Literature reading skills based on 20 questions. Social Studies (25%) These passages and questions come from the areas of anthropology, archaeology, business, economics, education, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. Natural Science (25%) These passages and question derive from the areas of anatomy, astronomy, biology, botany, chemistry, ecology, geology, medicine, meteorology, microbiology, natural history, physiology, physics, technology, and zoology. Prose Fiction (25%) These questions are based on short stories or excerpts from short stories or novels. Humanities (25%) These passages and questions derive from the areas of architecture, art, dance, ethics, film, language, literary criticism, music, philosophy, radio, television, and theater. Science The Science Reasoning Test lasts 35 minutes and contains 40 questions that measure the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required for the natural sciences. Calculator use is not permitted within this section. There are seven sets of scientific information accompanied by multiple choice questions. The scientific information is presented in one of three forms: data representation (graphs, tables, and other schematic forms), research summaries (descriptions of several related experiments), or conflicting viewpoints (expressions of several related hypotheses or views that are inconsistent with one another). In the questions, you will have to recognize and understand the basic features of, and concepts related to, the provided information; to examine critically the relationship between the information provided and the conclusions drawn or hypotheses developed; and to generalize from the given information to gain new information, draw conclusions, or make predictions. There is an emphasis on scientific reasoning skills instead of recall of scientific content, mathematical skill, or reading ability, You may need some general knowledge in the following areas: biology, chemistry, and the earth/space science such as geology, astronomy, and meteorology. There is one total score for this section, based on all 40 questions. Data Representation (38%) In this format are graphic and tabular material similar to that found in scientific journals and texts. There are questions measuring skills such as graph reading, interpretation of scatter plots, and interpretation of the information presented in the tables. Research Summaries (45%) This section has descriptions of one or more related experiments with questions emphasizing the design of experiments and the interpretation of experimental results. Conflicting Viewpoints (17%) This section puts forth several hypotheses or views that, being based on differing premises or incomplete data, are inconsistent with one another. These questions emphasize the understanding, analysis, and comparison of alternative viewpoints or hypotheses. Test Taking Tips There are several things you can do to lessen the stress of taking standardized tests. Before the Test Take challenging classes. Improve your vocabulary by reading as much as you can. Make sure you are aware of all important dates and deadlines. Take practice tests. The PSAT/NMSQT is a practice test for the SAT; the PACT is a practice test for the ACT. Also, some books provide sample tests of the ACT and SAT with which you can time yourself and check your answers to questions similar to those that will be on the test. Brush up on the concepts that will be on the test. If you are having difficulty with certain concepts, consult a teacher for extra help. The Day Before the Test Arrange a ride to the testing site and be sure you know where it is. Review concepts on the test, but do not cram. Eat a good dinner and get your normal amount of sleep. Be sure to set your alarm clock. The Day of the Test Eat a good breakfast. Wear comfortable clothes and dress in layers. Arrive at the test center early to find out where you will be testing. Bring everything with you that you will need for the test: admission ticket; photo identification; calculator (with fresh batteries) extra #2 pencils; water; a snack During the Test Make sure your place on the answer sheet corresponds to the number you are on in the test booklet. Keep an eye on the time, but do not rush yourself. Do not spend too much time on any one question; do the easy questions first and don't panic if you can't answer a question. Guess wisely and eliminate choices you know are not correct. Be aware of the test directions. Know what to expect in each section. Know how the test is scored. Use the test booklet to do scratch work. Mark only one answer for the multiple-choice questions. Relax; the test is only one part of being admitted to college.