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Show PGHS students to take PSAT, can preview test 'This fall the nearly 1.5 million students across the United States who take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude TestNational Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSATNMSQT) will have a special opportunity to familiarize themselves them-selves with the testing format also used on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). On the PSATNMSQT, the 75 students taking the test at Pleasant Grove High School on Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. can "preview" the exam process for the SAT -- the prerequisite for many college-bound students, said E. Mark Bezzant of the school guidance staff. Since 1959, about 30 million high school students have taken the test, which measures verbal and m athematical abilities. This year, the PSATNMSQT will be offered Saturday, October 19 or Tuesday October 22 at almost 20,000 high schools nationwide. Through the PSATNMSQT students are selected for the National .Merit Scholarship Qualifying Program, which enables talented students to compete for scholarships, and Hispanic students are considered for the National Hispanic Scholar Awards Program, funded through a $2.1 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. In addition, students can use the test as a guide to see how they ranked nationally among other students. As preparation for the 100-minute, two-part test, students receive a Student Bulletin containing a complete sample test with an answer an-swer key and scoring instructions. 'After taking the actual test, students will receive a booklet, "About Your PSATNMSQT Scores," a descriptive explanation of test results. Students will also be able to compare their individual answers with the correct answers by consulting the "Report of Student Answers", another valuable guide. Actual test booklets will also be made available to allow students to spot mistakes and work out answers correctly. The College Board provides additional ad-ditional services for counselors and school personnel to better understand un-derstand and interpret PSATNMSQT scores to students and parents. These services include summaries of student answers, profiles of academic characteristics and career interests of students who have taken the test, and a publication for inclusion in the regular guidance program. This year Jessica Draper, n amed as National Merit Semi-finalist, will be taking the SAT and competing against students from other schools for a four year scholarship to any college. |
