PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test)
A practice test for the SAT, it is given on a Saturday each October, primarily to juniors.

SAT I (Scholastic Assessment Test)
A college entrance examination, generally taken during the junior and/or senior year. Students receive a Reading, Writing, and Math score.

SAT II Subject Tests
One-hour tests which measure a student’s knowledge of specific subjects, and his/her ability to apply that knowledge. These tests are required by some colleges.

COLLEGE TESTING

PSAT

PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It’s a standardized test for 10th and 11th graders that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test. It also gives the student a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.

The PSAT/NMSQT measures:

• Critical reading skills
• Math problem-solving skills
• Writing skills

Students have developed these skills over many years, both in and out of school. This test doesn’t require the student to recall specific facts from your classes.

The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are:

• To receive feedback on the student’s strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. The student can then focus their preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
• To see how the student’s performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
• To enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (grade 11).
• To help prepare for the SAT. The student can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions one will see on the SAT.
• To receive information from colleges when “yes” is checked on the Student Search Service.

Registration for the PSAT is done in the Bristol-Plymouth Guidance Office in October.

SAT

The SAT is an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities. The SAT is comprised of three sections, Critical Reading, Math, and Writing (35 minute multiple choice section and 25 minute essay section) with scores ranging from 200 to 800 for each section. The highest possible combined score is 2400.

Students applying to 4-year colleges are encouraged to take the SAT at the end of their Junior year, and again in the fall of their Senior year. Colleges consider the best score in each section in evaluating the student’s application. Students can register with a paper application available in the Bristol-Plymouth Guidance Office, however, an online registration at www.collegeboard.com is encouraged. On-line registration can be completed from the “For Students” section of the home page. The Bristol-Plymouth school code is 222125.

SAT test dates are:
October 6, 2007
November 3, 2007
December 1, 2007
January 26, 2008
March 1, 2008
May 3, 2008
June 7, 2008

SAT ACCOMMODATIONS

http://www.collegeboard.com/ssd/student/index.html

What are some of the first things I need to know if I wish to take College Board tests with accommodations?
To take College Board tests with accommodations, you must ensure that your school has an SSD Coordinator’s Form on file with the College Board.

There is one common Student Eligibility Form for all College Board tests. It is a scannable form; therefore, neither you nor your school can download and complete the copy of the form. Only an original Student Eligibility Form, completed and signed in pencil, can be processed by the College Board. Copies of the Instructions for Completing the 2007-2008 Student Eligibility Form and the Student Eligibility Form have been sent to all schools.

Step 1
You must complete Section 1 of the Student Eligibility Form and forward it to your school.

Step 2
School officials complete Sections II and III and send all three sections to the College Board (detailed guidance for all sections is provided in the Instructions).

Step 3
Because the College Board process includes a thorough review of information on the Form, it takes 5 weeks from the point that the Form information is complete (and, when the College Board needs to review the disability documentation, 7 weeks from the point that the disability information is complete). Deadlines are established prior to the first test you wish to take (test dates and eligibility deadlines are on the last page of the Instructions).

Step 4
You and your school officials will receive copies of an Eligibility Letter that either identifies approved accommodations and provides a SSD Identification Number (SSD Eligibility Code), or explains why the accommodations you requested are not approved for College Board tests.

Step 5
When you register/indicate that you wish to take a College Board test with your approved accommodations, you must provide your SSD Eligibility Code. Your testing site (usually your home school for AP Exams, the PSAT/NMSQT, and some administrations of the SAT; or a national test site for most SAT administrations) will make the appropriate testing arrangements (e.g., setting; proctor; materials).

Step 6
You go to the testing site identified for your tests (either your home school or a site identified on your SAT admission ticket) and test with the accommodations.

Note: When submitting your Student Eligibility Form, make sure that:

• all the information on the Form is written in No. 2 pencil

• the original Form is sent to the College Board, and

• every required field on the Form contains an answer. The College Board cannot process your request for accommodations until the Form is complete and all the disability documentation is submitted.

Is there general information about the process that I should know before completing the Student Eligibility Form?
You may receive accommodations at school, and you may think that you automatically will be eligible for the same accommodations on College Board tests. This may not be the case. Please review the “Eligibility” and “Guidelines for Documentation” sections on page 1 of the Instructions. If your school’s services for students with disabilities align with the College Board Guidelines, and your school verifies this on your form, then you are eligible for accommodations on College Board tests.

When you consider seeking accommodations on College Board tests, you may find the Dear Parent Letter helpful:
http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ssd/Dear_ Parent _Letter.pdf. This letter is also available in Spanish:
http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ssd/dear_parents_spanish.pdf. It is written to help parents understand the College Board’s eligibility process for testing accommodations based on disability.

What happens after Step 4 when you are notified that you are eligible for accommodations on College Board tests?
When you are approved for accommodations, both you and your school official representative (most often the school’s SSD Coordinator) are sent Eligibility Letters. These letters include your SSD Eligibility Code, which you should always use when you communicate wit the College Board. Periodically, rosters will be sent to your school’s official representative of students approved for accommodations and their specific accommodations.

The Student Eligibility Form is a request for accommodations-it is not a test registration form. Each College Board test has unique registration requirements (included in each test’s website section).

Online registration is now available if you have approved accommodations for the SAT and SAT II Subject Tests. You will need your SSD Eligibility Code to register online.

How often do I need to complete the Student Eligibility Form?
As long as your school verifies annually for the College Board that you continue to receive the same accommodations, you will not need to repeat the eligibility process. If you transfer to a new school, a new Student Eligibility Form will need to be sent to the College Board unless you transfer within the same school district and the receiving school verifies that you continue to receive the same accommodations (see page 3 of the Instructions).

Can I apply directly to the College Board for accommodations on your tests?
Yes, you may send your Student Eligibility Form completed through Section I, and disability documentation directly to the College Board. The College Board will review the documentation to determine if it meets the Guidelines and if the requested accommodations are substantiated. You may find directions in the Instructions for Completing the 2007-2008 Student Eligibility Form and the school would not be involved in providing direct information.

ACT

The ACT is a college admissions test used by all colleges that accept the SAT. The ACT tests English, Math, Science and Reading with an optional Writing section. Students and parents interested in obtaining additional information about the SAT should go to www.act.org and click on “The Test”. On this page information including frequently asked questions, registration, and test sites are available. The Bristol-Plymouth school code is 222125.

Test Date (Late Fee Required)

Test Date: September 15, 2007
Registration Deadline: August 10, 2007
(Late Fee Required): August 11-24, 2007

Test Date: October 27, 2007
Registration Deadline: September 21, 2007
(Late Fee Required): September 22-October 5, 2007

Test Date: December 8, 2007
Registration Deadline: November 2, 2007
(Late Fee Required): November 3-15, 2007

Test Date: February 9, 2008
Registration Deadline: January 4, 2008
(Late Fee Required): January 5-18, 2008

Test Date: April 12, 2008
Registration Deadline: March 7, 2008
(Late Fee Required): March 8-21, 2008

Test Date: June 14, 2008
Registration Deadline: May 9, 2008
(Late Fee Required): May 10-23, 2008

ACCUPLACER

As a general rule, students who apply to a community college or technical school are not required to have followed a college prep curriculum in high school, nor are they required to take the SAT.

However, placement testing is required by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education for all students seeking a Degree or Certificate. It will be necessary for you to complete an assessment test called the ACCUPLACER (http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/accuplacer/index.html) in Writing, Reading, and Mathematics if you plan to register for any English or Mathematics courses or apply to a Health Program. These tests are not a requirement for Admission, but are used for the purpose of advising and placement into the appropriate courses.

You cannot “pass” or “fall” the placement tests, but it is very important that you do your very best on these tests so that you will have an accurate measure of your academic skills. Low scores on the ACCUPLACER may place you in developmental English and/or Mathematics classes. These classes do not count towards college credit.

Bristol-Plymouth offers Tech Prep students the opportunity to participate in math workshop sessions prior to taking the Accuplacer. Information is available at the guidance office.

WEBSITES

http://www.collegeboard.com – Students are encouraged to fill out the “My Organizer” section.

http://www.collegenet.com

http://www.anycollege.net

http://www.finaid.com

http://www.mefa.org – Provides financial aid advice

http://www.careercruising.com

http://www.princetonreview.com