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PSAT Testing
PSAT 8/9 and NMSQT
GPISD currently pays for the PSAT 8 assessment to be given to all 8th grade students in mid to late October. GPISD 9th grade students that are served by AVID are also offered an opportunity to take the PSAT 8/9. The PSAT 8/9 is the first exam in the College Board's "SAT Suite of Assessments" and is offered to eighth and ninth graders. The purpose of the PSAT 8/9 is to establish a starting point in terms of college and career readiness as students transition to high school.
NMSQT
GPISD currently pays for all 10th grade students to take the NMSQT in mid to late October. The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized assessment closely connected to the SAT and cosponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Juniors are welcome to register and pay to take the assessment during the school day (there are no vouchers accepted for school day). Juniors wanting to take the assessment must register and pay for their assessment no later than the last school day in August.
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Why take the PSAT?
(From US News and World Report, 3 Reasons Your PSAT Score Matters
1. A High PSAT Score Can Lead to a National Merit Scholarship
To prepare to take the PSAT/NMSQT in the 11th grade, students in GPISD take the PSAT 8 in middle school and then take the PSAT again as 10th graders. Only the PSAT/NMSQT taken as a junior in high school qualifies students for National Merit-related scholarships.
2. A Student’s PSAT Score Can Indicate Future SAT Performance
PSAT scores can suggest how prepared students are to take the SAT and can allow the students to concentrate on studying areas of weakness to improve their scores for the real thing – the SAT. PSAT performance can empower students with the information needed to design an SAT study plans that are personalized and are effective, efficient, and helpful in earning the best possible score.
3. Doing Well on the PSAT Can Give You a Confidence Boost
Just as rehearsing before a performance or practicing before a sports game gives you the boost of confidence you need to succeed, earning a solid score on the PSAT can do the same for your SAT-taking experience.
Getting a great score on your PSAT does not guarantee the same score on the SAT. Students must take steps each year in secondary school to prepare for the SAT…PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and PSAT/NMSQT are great ways to practice for the SAT and receive the feedback needed to keep moving forward.
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College Board PSAT Resources
Middle school students can use this link to access College Board PSAT 8/9 Resources:
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-8-9/preparing/k12-educators-resources-students
In addition, students can access the SAT prep materials in Khan Academy to prepare for the PSAT 8/9. Students can go to https://www.khanacademy.org/ to create an account and begin practicing their skills.
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MasteryPrep
Beginning this year, high school students also have access to MasteryPrep to prepare for their college readiness assessments. Learn more here.
Students can use the SAT MasteryPrep tools listed below to help them prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT.
- TruScore
- Online, on demand practice test
- Instant results from the online testing
- Study Hall
- Provides hours of instructional content covering every tested skill
- Use the TruScore results to personalize each student’s study plan
- SNAP Courses
- Valuable test-taking strategies and tips for the SAT
- TruScore
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Students can also use KHAN Academy for PSAT/NMSQT prep.