The College Board hosted a webinar to share information about PSAT/NMSQT scores which will be available online on Dec. 12. Parents learned about how to use results to practice for the SAT on Khan Academy, how to access scholarships, and more. The webinar was hosted by Jane Dapkus at the College Board and featured Anju Khetan from Khan Academy and Nara Lee from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. Learn more at collegeboard.org/parents.

1. Understanding
PSAT/NMSQT®
Scores for Parents
Jane Dapkus, Vice President, SAT and PSAT/NMSQT
Programs, The College Board
Anju Khetan, Product Manager, Khan Academy
Nara Lee, Senior Program Manager for Outreach and
Partnerships, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

2. PSAT/NMSQT®
• 4 million students took the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2015.
• This fall millions more students took the test because it:
• Tests what students learn in high school and what they need to succeed in
college.
• Measures the same skills and knowledge as the SAT® in a way that
makes sense for 10th and 11th graders.
• Is the entry point to the National Merit Scholarship Program.
• Is the perfect starting point for practicing for the SAT.
• Gives students access to a personalized SAT study plan on Khan
Academy®.
• Identifies students who are likely to succeed in AP® courses.
• Helps students explore their career interests through a new tool called
"Roadmap to Careers.”
• Connects students to scholarship opportunities.
• Scores will be available online starting on December 12.
What is the PSAT/NMSQT?

3. • Scores will be available online December 12, and schools will receive
paper reports to hand out to students in December.
• The total score is 1520 points and is on the same score scale as the
SAT®.
• Score reports include test scores, cross-test scores, and subscores that
help students pinpoint their strengths and identify areas for more practice.
• Percentiles show how your child compared to their peers.
• College readiness benchmarks show if students are on track to be ready
for college.
• Scores may be used to qualify for scholarships and recognition awards.
• What is a “good score”? The answer depends on which colleges your
child may be considering.
• Colleges do NOT see PSAT/NMSQT scores.
3
Score Report
What can we learn from
PSAT/NMSQT® scores?

4. • Student and educator score reports include a section to identify students
who are likely to do well on Advanced Placement® Exams.
• Schools can use AP Potential to identify students who are likely to do well
on the AP Exam in one or more of 23 different AP Courses.
• Encourage your child to talk to their counselor about which AP courses
they should consider taking the next school year.
• AP Potential gives students a chance to challenge themselves with
college-level coursework in high school. Make sure your child takes
advantage of this great opportunity!
4
Should my child take Advanced
Placement Program® courses?
AP Potential™

5. • The College Board and Roadtrip Nation teamed up to create a new,
personalized tool that links students’ passions to majors and careers.
• This interactive tool is available at no cost to students who took the
PSAT/NMSQT®.
• The tool provides an engaging, online experience for students to explore
careers that reflect their interests.
• They can access videos and listen to stories in which successful people
talk about their careers in fields like medicine, film, journalism,
government, and many more.
• Roadmap to Careers also provides insights from professionals on how to
build a life and career, so students can think about what courses they’re
taking in high school and connect them to career interests.
5
Where do we find information
about college majors and
careers?
Roadmap to
Careers

6. • Your child should log into their account at psat.org/scorereport on
December 12.
• Talk to your child about getting ready for the SAT®.
• Many juniors take the SAT in the spring (March 11, May 6, June 3).
• Your child should talk to their school counselor about their performance.
• If your child opted into Student Search Service®, they may receive
information from colleges and organizations looking for students like
them.
• Scholarship and recognition programs may reach out to eligible students.
• Scholarship partners include American Indian Graduate Center, Asian
& Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, Hispanic Scholarship
Fund, United Negro College Fund, and Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.
6
Next Steps with
Scores

7. • What does Khan Academy do?
• What is Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy? What makes it so
useful?
• How do you link your College Board and Khan Academy accounts? What
does that do?
• When should students start practicing for the SAT? How often should they
practice?
• What can parents do to help their kids use Official SAT Practice?
7
Official SAT®
Practice on Khan
Academy®

8. • What is the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation?
• How many Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars were identified because they
took the PSAT/NMSQT®?
• The PSAT/NMSQT connects students to scholarships, but many
nonprofits, business groups, companies, and civic organizations provide
scholarship funds as well. How can students find and access those kinds
of scholarships?
• What things should students keep in mind when they are working on their
scholarship applications?
• What do you look for in an effective scholarship application?
• What advice do you have for parents whose children are applying to
college?
8
Scholarship
Opportunities

9. Please submit your questions in the Q&A
module on the bottom right-hand corner of
your screen.
9
Q&A

10. PSAT/NMSQT® Score Information:
psat.org/scores
PSAT/NMSQT Score Reports:
psat.org/scorereport
Official SAT® Practice with Khan Academy®:
satpractice.org
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation:
jkcf.org
National Merit Scholarship Program:
nationalmerit.org
How to link your College Board and Khan
Academy accounts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIkCoQoZ21U
10
More Resources:
communications@collegeboard.org
Contact:

11. Thank
You.