Student's first time taking standardized tests for college prep can be daunting and confusing. From this lesson plan, students will learn about how to interpret their scores after taking the exam, how each sub-score corresponds to certain skills, and how PSAT scores can be used to earn micro-scholarships for college on RaiseMe (www.raise.me).

1. PSAT/NMSQT Exam
How to interpret your score

2. When it comes to performance, how do you get an
advantage?
1. Why are teams more likely to
win at home?
2. If an athlete has never played
in an arena before, how might
this affect her/his play?
3. How does this apply to test-
taking?
Questions to consider:

3. - Gauge how you might score on the SAT so
you can prepare accordingly
- Identify subjects and skills that you are ace-ing,
and ones that require more review
- Know what to expect: The format and style of
the exam mirrors the SAT
- Entrance exam for the National Merit
Scholarship Program
- This is a prestigious honor that looks favorable
on college applications
Why take the PSAT/NMSQT?
Earn a micro-scholarship for:
1. Completing the exam
2. Scoring well

4. Create a RaiseMe Account
1. Navigate to www.raise.me
2. Select “I’m a Student”
3. If applicable, sign up with your school email address
4. Input your high school name and basic information about yourself
5. On your Portfolio, scroll down to “Test Scores” to input your PSAT!

5. 1. Log in to your
RaiseMe account
2. Add your PSAT
scores on your
portfolio to earn
$$
Micro-Scholarships

6. To be considered, a student must:
1. Take the PSAT/NMSQT no later than junior year of high school
2. Be enrolled in high school and on-track to graduate and enroll in college
3. Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
Awards:
- 50,000 students with the highest PSAT scores will qualify for recognition
- Two-thirds of the highest scorers will qualify to receive a Letter of
Commendation
- One-third of the highest scorers will be named semi-finalists
- 15,000 students will be awarded as finalists
National Merit Scholarship Program

7. Sections:
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: a combination of the
Reading test and the Writing and Language test.
Math: a combination of the Calculator and Non-Calculator Math
tests.
Scoring:
Total Score = Evidence-Based Reading and Writing + Math
(320-1520) (160-760)
(160- 760)
*There is no penalty for guessing. Nothing is deducted for incorrect answers or for unanswered questions.
About The Exam

8. Interpreting Your Score
A score in the
31st percentile
means that you
scored as well
or better than
31% of grade-
level peers in
the nation. The
higher your
percentage, the
better your
performance.
If your score falls in the green range, you are on track for college-level
courses in that subject area.
If your score is in the red, you should consider coursework to strengthen
that subject area.

9. Matching answers to specific lines from a reading passage.
Matching words from a passage to their definition.
Can you revise sentences to make them better?
Grammar and punctuation.
Algebraic expressions, equations, and word problems.
Interpretation of mathematical expressions, graphs, and data.
Higher-level math questions like functions and quadratic equations.

10. 1. Based on your score breakdown, which skills are your strength? What courses might you sign
up for to challenge yourself in these areas?
2. Based on your score breakdown, which skills would you like to improve? What courses might
you take to get more practice and instructional support in these areas?
Reflection
Visit the full report online at studentscores.collegeboard.org
Link your PSAT report to Khan Academy to get practice work tailored to you --
satpratice.org