FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
On
Wednesday, October 14, 2009, our high schools are offering the PSAT
test at NO COST to all students in grades 10, and 11. A letter with
PSAT information was mailed to 10th and 11th grade families on
September 29, 2009.
In
addition to the Superintendent’s letter, letters will also be
available in the following languages. We are offering the PSAT
because we want all students to achieve at high levels and leave
high school prepared for college, career, and life. The PSAT is
offered only in English. Some students may need more support before
they are ready to take it. Teachers and other staff at your
student’s school will help to decide if your student is ready
to take the PSAT at this time.
You can also get additional information in your home
language by calling the Bilingual Family Center at (206)
252-7750.
How can I help prepare my student for the
PSAT/NSMQT?
In
the week before the exam, all students will be given the
“Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT.” The Student
Guide provides test taking help and a full-length practice test.
Encourage your student to read the information and take the
practice test.
You may also go to the College Board website and
get PSAT prep information by clicking on the following link:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/prep.html
What does my
student need to bring to school to take this exam?
On
October 14, make sure your student eats breakfast and brings
No. 2 pencils, a calculator, a watch, and his
or her e-mail address.
Isn’t this
exam for 11th graders too difficult for 10th graders? Won’t
that be discouraging?
Across the nation last
year, the number of 10th grade and younger students who took the
PSAT was almost as large as the number of 11th graders. Certainly,
older students are better prepared, but younger students who have
taken the exam before are even better prepared. If we want our
students to have higher education as a choice, we need to acquaint
them early with the challenging reading and thinking that college
will require.
I have more
questions. Who can help me?
To
talk with someone, please call our PSAT hotline at:
206-252-0155.
Updated
October 2, 2009
