Test Strategies
What item should you NOT bring with you to take the PSAT/SAT?
A) your student ID
B) pencils with erasers to mark your answers
C) your cell phone for a calculator and to keep track of time
D) you should bring all of the above items for the PSAT/SAT.
C. You cannot use a cell phone during the test so bring a calculator.
How does the Process of Elimination help you take the PSAT?
The process of Elimination can help narrow down the choices by crossing out the incorrect answers.
Should students do all the problems in order?
False: Students should skip around doing the easy problems first and returning for the harder ones.
Do students need to show their work on the PSAT?
No
High school students in what grades can take the PSAT and when?
9th and 10th will take it in March, starting the 12th.
The PSAT/SAT takes off points for wrong answers. True or False.
FALSE
The PSAT/SAT only counts the answers you get right, so you should try to answer every question!
How can substitution help?
Using answer choices to substitute can also help students solve problems more quickly.
Students often waist time changing their guesses rather than trusting their gut instinct.
True.
Why should students show their work?
Writing down their work can save them time and prevent fast math mistakes.
The three sections of the PSAT are...
Reading, Math and Writing
The PSAT/SAT has a non calculator section. True or False.
True.
This is a perfect score on the SAT.
a) 1200
b) 1450
c) 1600
1600
What does the two minute warning let you do?
Students should use the last 2 minutes to fill in a random answer for each unanswered question. When in doubt use the same letter for all the answers.
What is the three read strategy?
The three read strategy is great for word problems. Students read the question three times - First they underline important words to get a sense of what the problem is about. Then they circle any numbers and look for what each number represents in context. Finally, they box the question itself to make it clear what the problem is seeking.
What does the PSAT stand for?
a) Practice SAT
b) Preliminary SAT
c) Professional SAT
Practice SAT
How long is the PSAT?
a) 3 hours
b) 2 hours and 45 minutes
c) 1 hour and 30 minutes
b) 2 hours and 45 minutes
All problems are weighted equally. calculator and non calculator.
True
Can I leave the room to take a break when I need a pick-me-up?
NO
Can I take my work home with me?
Your PSAT scores count towards college applications? True or False.
False. Taking the test is strictly to give you test taking practice or the ability to apply for the National Merit Scholarship.
Can you go back and review answers before submitting?
yes, as long as it is in the same section
Why take the SAT?
a) college admissions
b) merit based scholarships
c) high school English and Math requirements
d) all of the above
d) all of the above
How will I know how much time is left for testing?
I will have a timer on my screen and my proctor will have a timer on the board.
Should I annotate every single problem on the test?
yes as long as you have the time. Do not spend too long on a single problem.
Why should you take the PSAT?
a) Practice test for the SAT, which you take in your junior or senior year.
b) It is used for qualification in the National Merit Scholarship Program in your junior year.
c)both b and c
c)both b and c