Oak Park And River Forest High School To Offer Preliminary SAT Test

Press release from Oak Park and River Forest High School:

September 2, 2020

On Saturday, October 17, 2020, Oak Park and River Forest High School will offer the Preliminary SAT (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) to Juniors. This test is optional. There will be no makeup date for this test.

Benefits of the PSAT:

• Juniors can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship – By taking the PSAT/NMSQT students may be eligible to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program and other academic scholarship and recognition programs.
• Students have a better chance at scoring higher on the SAT – Historically, students who take the PSAT have scored significantly higher on the SAT than students who do not. Since the PSAT evaluates the same skills and knowledge as the SAT, taking PSAT means students will have an opportunity to address their areas of improvement long before they take their official college entrance exam.
• Students will receive feedback on their aptitude for success in AP courses – student score reports will show recommendations for AP courses that might be good matches.
• A personalized study plan – the PSAT will provide students with a custom SAT study plan that can be accessed online, anytime through Khan Academy.
• Overall academic improvement – the PSAT is designed to uncover opportunities for growth and provide targeted feedback to help students improve their skills in reading, writing, and mathematics.

Before Test Day:

• The Registration process is a two-step process. 1. Fill out the Registration Google Form 2. Pay for the exam through the Web Store here. The exam cost is $17. Students who qualify for fee waiver only need to complete first step. Registration closes September 15.
• Room assignments will be sent in a separate email to each student a week before testing.
• Free SAT practice is available at www.khanacademy.org. Students who take a PSAT test can link their results on Khan Academy and get personalized study recommendations, tutorials, and practice items.

Important Information for PSAT Testing Day:

• Testing will begin promptly at 8:00 am. Students should arrive at their assigned testing location at least 30 minutes BEFORE testing.
• Students will need to bring the following: OPRFHS student I.D. (date when to pick-up forthcoming), two sharpened no. 2 pencils, and calculator from the approved list here.
• Standard-time testing will conclude by 12:00 p.m. Ending times will vary and are likely to be later for students with extended time accommodations.
• Students are encouraged to get 8-10 hours of sleep and eat a healthy breakfast before testing.

Testing Accommodations:

Students who have College Board approved accommodations will receive those accommodations. If you choose to decline accommodations please reach out to Ms. Margaret Collins at mmcollins@oprfhs.org before September 26th.

Our number one priority is the safety of our students. In addition to following the Public Health, CDC, and Illinois State Board of Education guidelines, students will test in large spaces in the building that allow for more social distance. Parents/guardians will pre-certify by filling out a screening survey through Skyward the day of the exam. This screening survey is the same one students are asked verbally when they enter the building. More information will be shared in the email with their room assignment. Students will be assigned an entrance door closest to their room assignment for quick and easy access. Face masks must be worn properly and at all times while in the building.

For more information about the PSAT/NMSQT scholarship and recognition programs, please Colle website at: www.collegeboard.org/psat. Additionally, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions mdelgado@oprfhs.org.

Sincerely,

Mayra Delgado

Testing Specialist

This press release was produced by Oak Park and River Forest High School. The views expressed here are the author’s own.