THE REDESIGNED PSAT
The College Board will be making content, format and scoring changes to the PSAT in 2015 to reflect the changes to the SAT in 2016. The redesigned PSAT test will closely reflect the new SAT and is recommended as practice for the SAT by the College Board. It is scheduled to be first administered in the Fall of 2015.
WHY TAKE THE PSAT?
- Scores can lead to National Merit Scholarships: The National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses these scores to qualify semifinalists who are then considered for National Merit Scholarship competition. Recognition by the National Merit program provides a monetary award and can often be leveraged to secure additional scholarships.
- Recipients and finalists for scholarships can become eligible for corporate scholarships and many colleges and universities offer National Merit Scholarship participants institutional grants and merit scholarships as well. In some cases, these grants cover full tuition.
- Questbridge Scholarship:
CHANGES IN STRUCTURE OF PSAT
The new redesigned PSAT is 35 minutes longer than the old PSAT. It clocks in at 2 hours and 45 minutes, rather than 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Instead of 5 multiple choice answers, the new PSAT offers only 4. This means you have a better chance of getting the answer right if you guess.
Instead of 5 multiple choice answers, the new PSAT offers only 4. This means you have a better chance of getting the answer right if you guess.
CHANGES IN CONTENT
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CRITICAL READING: ONE SAMPLE PASSAGE
Reading has 47 questions which need to be completed within 60 minutes.
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What the Reading Test Is Like
When you take the Reading Test, you’ll read passages and interpret informational graphics. Then you’ll use what you’ve read to answer questions.
Some questions ask you to locate a piece of information or an idea stated directly. But you’ll also need to understand what the author’s words imply. In other words, you have to read between the lines.
What You’ll ReadTo succeed in college and career, you’ll need to apply reading skills in all sorts of subjects. Not coincidentally, you’ll also need those skills to do well on the Reading Test.
The Reading Test Includes:
When you take the Reading Test, you’ll read passages and interpret informational graphics. Then you’ll use what you’ve read to answer questions.
Some questions ask you to locate a piece of information or an idea stated directly. But you’ll also need to understand what the author’s words imply. In other words, you have to read between the lines.
What You’ll ReadTo succeed in college and career, you’ll need to apply reading skills in all sorts of subjects. Not coincidentally, you’ll also need those skills to do well on the Reading Test.
The Reading Test Includes:
- One passage from a classic or contemporary work of U.S. or world literature.
- One passage or a pair of passages from either a U.S. founding document or a text in the great global conversation they inspired. The U.S. Constitution or a speech by Nelson Mandela, for example.
- A selection about economics, psychology, sociology, or some other social science.
- Two science passages (or one passage and one passage pair) that examine foundational concepts and dev
WRITING SECTION
Writing has 44 questions which need to be completed within 35 minutes.
What the Writing and Language Test Is Like
To answer some questions, you’ll need to look closely at a single sentence. Others require reading the entire piece and interpreting a graphic. For instance, you might be asked to choose a sentence that corrects a misinterpretation of a scientific chart or that better explains the importance of the data. The passages you improve will range from arguments to nonfiction narratives and will be about careers, history, social studies, the humanities, and science.
Quick Facts
To answer some questions, you’ll need to look closely at a single sentence. Others require reading the entire piece and interpreting a graphic. For instance, you might be asked to choose a sentence that corrects a misinterpretation of a scientific chart or that better explains the importance of the data. The passages you improve will range from arguments to nonfiction narratives and will be about careers, history, social studies, the humanities, and science.
Quick Facts
- All questions are multiple choice and based on passages.
- Some passages are accompanied by informational graphics, such as tables, graphs, and charts — but no math is required.
- Prior topic knowledge is never tested.
- The Writing and Language Test is part of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section.
MATH SECTION
Maths has 47 questions and 70 minutes to complete.
Focus
The Math Test will focus in depth on the three areas of math that play the biggest role in a wide range of college majors and careers:
Important:
Some part of the test will be NO CALCULATOR.
The Math Test will focus in depth on the three areas of math that play the biggest role in a wide range of college majors and careers:
- Heart of Algebra, which focuses on the mastery of linear equations and systems.
- Problem Solving and Data Analysis, which is about being quantitatively literate.
- Passport to Advanced Math, which features questions that require the manipulation of complex equations.
Important:
Some part of the test will be NO CALCULATOR.
The number of degrees of arc in a circle is 360.
The number of radians of arc in a circle is 2π.
The sum of the measures in degrees of the angles of a triangle is 180.
The number of radians of arc in a circle is 2π.
The sum of the measures in degrees of the angles of a triangle is 180.
PRACTICE TESTS
The new test is longer, so train your focus. Since the test hasn't been administered yet, there aren't a lot of official practice tests to take. So far, College Board has come out with one official sample PSAT, which you can download and score. Make sure to take note of the changes between this test and older versions.