More than 3.5 Million High School Students to Take the PSAT/NMSQT® from October 10th - October 15th

NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This month, more than 3.5 million high school students across the United States will take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), an important step on the road to college readiness. Tests will be administered at participating high schools on either Wednesday, October 12 or Saturday, Oct 15. Cosponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), the PSAT/NMSQT measures fundamental reading, mathematics and writing skills and knowledge that students learn in high school and that are necessary to succeed in college.

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By participating in the PSAT/NMSQT, students and their families receive free, comprehensive feedback about students' performance in reading, mathematics and writing that will help them better prepare for the SAT® and college. All students who take the PSAT/NMSQT also gain access to free, personalized college and career planning tools from the College Board, and all 11th-grade PSAT/NMSQT takers are eligible for entry into NMSC scholarship programs. The PSAT/NMSQT can also help educators identify students with the potential to succeed in rigorous, college-level Advanced Placement® course work.

"In today's global economy, it is more important than ever that we get more students on the path to college readiness and completion, and the PSAT/NMQST can play an integral role in that process," said Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board. "The exam is not only a building block toward success on the SAT, but it is also a source of invaluable college and career information for students and families."

Academic Feedback and College Planning Tools

PSAT/NMSQT scores provide an early indication of a student's readiness for college-level work. The exam's score report -- which is distributed by the student's high school in December -- offers extensive, personalized feedback about the student's academic skills.

"Score reports and online tools are available to students in early December, and online reports for schools are accessible from December through February," said Glenn Milewski, executive director, PSAT/NMSQT and ReadiStep™ for the College Board. "We highly recommend that educators set up an information session for students so they fully understand the score report, its meaning and interpretation."

A PSAT/NMSQT taker also has access to My College QuickStart, a free, personalized college planning tool developed by the College Board. Students can sign up for My College QuickStart™ by using the unique access code provided on the score report. Features of My College QuickStart, which the student can use through graduation, include:

• An enhanced score report with each test question, the student's answer and the correct answer with explanations
• A customized SAT study plan highlighting skills for review and practice based on PSAT/NMSQT performance
• Tools to help the student discover potential majors and careers that fit strengths, interests and personality
• Extensive information about college majors and careers
• A starter list of colleges based on the student's home state and indicated choice of major

Strongest Preparation for the SAT

The PSAT/NMSQT is similar in content and format to the SAT, and students who take the PSAT/NMSQT generally perform better on the SAT than students who did not take the PSAT/NMSQT. Recently released SAT performance data for the class of 2011 showed that students who took the PSAT/NMSQT before taking the SAT scored 145 points higher, on average, on the SAT than those who did not take the PSAT/NMSQT.

"We find that many students derive great benefit from the PSAT/NMSQT by simply familiarizing themselves with the kinds of questions that will appear on the SAT," said Milewski. "A standardized,  preliminary version of the SAT that does not count for admission can be a powerful tool to get students ready for the SAT."

Identifies Students with Potential to Succeed in Advanced Placement®

The College Board's Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) enables motivated, academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Through more than 30 courses, each culminating in a rigorous exam, AP provides students with the opportunity to earn college credit and/or advanced placement, stand out in the college admission process, and learn from some of the most dedicated teachers in the world.

The College Board works with school districts around the nation to ensure that the AP Program is available to as many academically prepared students as possible, and the PSAT/NMSQT can be an important tool in that process. Research indicates that PSAT/NMSQT scores are strong predictors of a student's likelihood of success in Advancement Placement course work and exams. When used in conjunction with other criteria (high school GPA, grades in previous same-discipline course work, the number of same-discipline courses a student has taken, etc.), the PSAT/NMSQT can provide high school educators with reliable guidance in identifying students who may be ready for the rigor of AP. Educators can use AP Potential, a free, Web-based tool created by the College Board. AP Potential™ has the capacity to identify students likely to succeed on AP Exams. Students and their families should check with their high school's AP Coordinator or guidance counselor to determine if a student's performance on the PSAT/NMSQT indicates readiness for Advanced Placement course work.

Essential Facts

PSAT/NMSQT scores are reported on a scale of 20 to 80. In 2010, the average score for 11th-graders was 47 in critical reading, 49 in mathematics and 45 in writing skills. The average score for 10th-graders was 43 in critical reading, 44 in mathematics and 40 in writing skills. The fee for the 2011 PSAT/NMSQT exam is $14. The College Board makes fee waivers available for 11th-grade students from low-income families who cannot afford the test fee.  

About the College Board

The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of more than 5,900 of the world's leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education. Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success — including the SAT® and the Advanced Placement Program®. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools. For further information, visit www.collegeboard.org.

SOURCE The College Board