The PSAT (Pre-Scholastic Assessment Test) is normally taken by high school students and serves as a practice test for the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test). The SAT is taken by juniors and seniors as a precursor to college/university admission. It is also an assessment of a student's verbal and mathematical skills.

Standardized tests are only one indicator of how well you might perform in college. Of course we like to see high scores if possible, but your day-to-day performance in classes (i.e., GPA) is more important to us. The combination of a mediocre GPA and low test scores will be a concern, however.

With the College Board changes in March of 2005, the two tests are very similar now. They both contain three sections: Math, Critical Reading and Writing. However, the PSAT/NMSQT does not contain an essay and has up to Algebra 1 on the math section, whereas, The SAT contains some Algebra 2. The PSAT/NMSQT is only offered in October (third Tuesday or Saturday) and the SAT is offered seven times a year.

Our Student Records Department has PSAT, SAT and ACT test scores on the transcripts for some students, but only if the student provided us with his/her correct social security number and put the correct social security number on the test at the time the test was taken. Test scores are posted from a data file purchased from the testing company, so we can't be certain that all information is provided. We are under no requirement to maintain these scores, but do so as a convenience to the students.

We do not ask for either score as part of the application. If these scores are available, we will look at them, particularly in the case of students applying to study science or math. However, we do not value one piece of an application packet over another, but rather look at the whole student. You should submit a new application form, the Behavioral Standards Consent Form, and an up-to-date high school transcript, along with a note stating that you previously attended the program.

The SAT is offered seven times a year (October, November, December, January, March, May, June), and the PSAT/NMSQT is offered once a year.(Third Tuesday or Saturday in October.) If the student has not taken the PSAT/NMSQT yet, they still can. You can sign them up as a junior, as long as you show the appropriate graduation date that correlates with them being a junior. According to the National Merit Corporation, the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT are separate tests and grades are not compared.

A raw PSAT score is calculated the same way as a raw SAT score. For each section (verbal, math, or writing skills), you get one point for a correct answer, but you lose 1/4 of a point for an incorrect regular multiple-choice answer. In the math section, you lose 1/3 of a point for each incorrect quantitative comparison answer. There is no penalty for incorrectly answering a grid-in. There is also no penalty for skipped questions.

A PSAT, SAT, or ACT score is required for admission. If something has prevented you from taking one of the tests, please indicate why in your application materials.

Unlike the SAT, the PSAT scores are not sent to colleges and are not used for the college admissions process. Instead, the PSAT is the qualifying test for the National Merit Award. The PSAT contains questions that are designed to be slightly easier than those on the SAT and is approximately half as long as the SAT. However, since the SAT and the PSAT measure similar skills and have similar structures, preparing for and taking the PSAT can be excellent practice for taking the SAT.

Parents or students can sign-up by mail or on the official web site www.collegeboard.com There are deadlines and late fees and waivers are available if you cannot afford the test. The PSAT/NMSQT can only be registered for at your local high school up until the day of the test if there is room.

The PSAT/NMSQT was designed to provide students with practice for taking the SAT, while also offering opportunities to qualify for scholarship and recognition programs. Like the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT measures math, reading, and writing skills. While the PSAT/NMSQT contains actual SAT questions, it is not designed to be as difficult. The PSAT/NMSQT is also shorter than the SAT, coming in at two hours and ten minutes. The SAT itself takes three hours and forty-five minutes.

The Scholastic Aptitude Test is given 7 times a year, beginning this school year on October 12, 2002. You can register to take the test either online or with a registration packet, available at the CORE Resource Centers. For online registration, visit www.collegeboard.com. The Preliminary SAT (PSAT) is given on two dates in the fall of every school year. This year, the dates are October 15th and October 19th. Students are instructed to ask their school's counselor for registration information.

Willingboro High School sponsors the PSAT in October 2006 and students can sign up in the guidance office after-school beginning October 2, 2006 with Mrs. Caban. The cost is $20 (Cash or Money Orders payable to Willingboro High School). The SAT test will be given at Willingboro High School on October 14, 2006, November 4, 2006 and June 2, 2007. Sign up information and other test dates are available in the guidance office or www.collegeboard.com.

The college selection process requires a number of entrance examinations. The first of these is the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test or PSAT, which is administered to juniors nationwide. The test contains math and verbal sections along with a writing component to measure a student's academic progress in high school.

The PLAN, a practice ACT, is given in October during the Sophomore year and the PSAT in October of the Junior here at LHN. SAT and ACT tests should be taken during your child's Junior year. Parents should register for the fall, winter or spring dates. Your child can take the ACT and SAT more than once. Mrs. Christian, our college guidance director, will answer any questions.

Without any additional preparation, PSAT scores are a good indication of how the student will perform on the SAT. Students normally take this in October of Grade 11.

Absolutely. My son received numerous offers from colleges because of his outstanding PSAT/NMQST score (219). Just a few of the offers he turned down were from Texas A & M (full-tuition, honors dorm, study abroad stipends), Texas Tech (full-tuition, room and board, one year graduate school money). Oral Roberts University (full-tuition, room and board, plus exclusive honors status and dorm), and Abilene Christian University (full tuition, plus room and board).

Right now. It's never too early to begin preparing for you child's future, especially when it's a matter of $80,000. I recommend starting PSAT/NMQST prep by ninth grade. The PSAT/NMQST test is only offered once a year in October and it ONLY counts for the National Merit Contest in a student's junior year. Therefore they should learn the techniques and patterns found on these tests early so that when it counts, they will be ready.

Definitely not! The material on the SAT is not an exclusive curriculum found only at public or private schools. The test is a “reasoning” or logic test and the key to doing well is to learn the hidden strategies and recurring patterns that are usually found on these tests.

The Scholastic Assessment Test or SAT I is an aptitude reasoning test designed to predict academic success in college. The test has recently been changed to include a more substantial math section, verbal section (now called critical reading) and a brand-new writing section. The scoring for each section will remain consistent with the 0-800 range of the old SAT; the writing section will add a third score.