understanding psat nmsqt scores
Do PSAT/NMSQT scores fairly reflect students’ skills?
Concern for fairness is an integral part of the development of the PSAT/NMSQT. Comprehensive reviews and analyses ensure that questions and tests are fair for different groups of students. Although differences in test performance may be the result of many factors, long-term educational preparation is the primary cause. The test itself reflects such differences but does not cause them.
How has PSAT/NMSQT Skill Reporting changed?
Beginning in 2010, the PSAT/NMSQT is reporting on a new set of college readiness skills, the same skills reported on by the SAT ? and ReadiStep ?, a new assessment for eighth-graders. Aligned to both state standards and the College Board Standards for College Success, the new skills reflect the essential knowledge and skills students need for success in college. To learn more, visit https://www.wendangku.net/doc/1f8215474.html,/psatreports .
What is PSAT/NMSQT Skills Insight ??
The new PSAT/NMSQT Skills Insight tool demonstrates the link between PSAT/NMSQT scores and college readiness skills — the same skills measured on the SAT. Skills Insight also provides actionable suggestions for improving skills and hundreds of sample questions that give students additional practice on each skill. Visit Skills Insight at https://www.wendangku.net/doc/1f8215474.html,/psatskills .
What is the PSAT/NMSQT College Readiness Benchmark?
The PSAT/NMSQT College Readiness Benchmark is the score on each section that a student should meet or exceed to be considered on track to be college ready. Starting this year, it is reflected in several reports for educators, including the
Summary of Answers and Skills (SOAS) Report, College-Bound Junior and Sophomore Summary Reports, and the optional Student Data File CD. It is not included on reports for students. To learn more, visit https://www.wendangku.net/doc/1f8215474.html,/psatreports .
PSAT/NMSQT COLLEGE READINESS BENCHMARKS
Critical
Reading
Mathematics
Writing PSAT/NMSQT Composite*
11th grade PSAT/NMSQT 50504915210th grade PSAT/NMSQT
49
47
48
145
*Composite score was computed independently of individual section scores.
continued on back cover
Who takes the PSAT/NMSQT?
More than 3.5 million students take the test each year. High school juniors (eleventh graders) constitute the single largest group of test-takers, and the remainder are students in the tenth grade (sophomores) or younger. Nearly all students who take the test indicate they plan to attend college.
The over 23,000 high schools that test-takers attend vary greatly in size, curricula, standards, grading systems,
p opulations served, and sources of support. For students who take the PSAT/NMSQT ?, the score report provides a standardized view of their scholastic skills, regardless of the school attended, and helps them compare their performance to other college-bound students nationwide.
What does the PSAT/NMSQT measure?
The PSAT/NMSQT measures skills in three basic academic areas important for success in college.
? Critical reading questions assess students’ abilities to draw inferences, synthesize information, distinguish between main and supporting ideas, and understand vocabulary as it is used in context.
? Mathematics problem-solving questions deal with number and operations; algebra and functions; geometry and measurement; and data analysis, statistics, and probability.? Writing skills questions measure the ability to identify appropriate expressions in standard English, detect faults in usage and structure, choose effective revisions to sentences and paragraphs, and recognize appropriate writing strategies.
How is the PSAT/NMSQT scored?
First, a raw score is computed. Students receive one point for each correct answer (regardless of difficulty). For incorrect answers to multiple-choice questions, a quarter (1/4) of a point is deducted. Nothing is deducted for unanswered questions or for incorrect answers to student-produced response (grid-in) questions.
Next, the raw score is converted to a score on the PSAT/NMSQT scale of 20 to 80. This statistical procedure, called
e quating, adjusts for differences in difficulty between various forms, or editions, o
f the test. Equatin
g makes it possible to compare the scores of students who have taken different
e ditions o
f the test; it also makes the scores from last year’s test comparable to those from this year’s PSAT/NMSQT.
Student score reports show a numerical score for each area measured, as well as a range that extends from a few points below the score to a few points above. This range shows the extent to which a student’s score might differ with repeated testing, assuming that the student’s skill level remains constant.
PSAT/NMSQT Percentiles and Mean Scores
can be used to compare a student’s performance with that of juniors and sophomores.
Points to note Array?Percentiles indicate the percentage
of students whose scores fall below
each specified score.
?On the score report, percentiles for
juniors compare their performance
with that of other juniors who took
the test. For sophomores or younger
students, percentiles compare
their performance with that of
sophomores.
?Percentiles are based on the critical
reading, mathematics, and writing
skills scores earned by a sample of
college-bound juniors or sophomores
who took the PSAT/NMSQT in 2010.
?The mean score is the statistic that
describes the average performance of
a group.
?The standard deviation is a measure
of the variability of a set of scores
around their mean. If the test scores
cluster tightly around the mean
score, as they do when the group
tested is relatively homogeneous, the
standard deviation is smaller than it
would be for a more diverse group.
Selection Index Percentiles and Mean Score
can be used to compare a student’s performance with that of juniors.
Points to note
? Reported on a scale ranging from 60 to 240, the Selection Index is the sum of the critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills scores. For example, a critical reading score of 56, a mathematics score of 62, and a writing skills score of 59 would result in a Selection Index of 177 (56 + 62 + 59).
? Percentiles are based on the Selection Index earned by a sample of college-bound juniors who took the PSAT/NMSQT in 2010.
How NMSC uses the Selection Index
National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) uses the Selection Index score to designate groups of students to receive recognition in the programs it
conducts. Entry to NMSC’s competitions for scholarships to be offered in 2012 is determined by students’ responses to program entry questions on the 2010 PSAT/NMSQT answer sheet. Both the PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus and the Roster of Student Scores and Plans show the student’s Selection Index, the student’s responses to four entry items, and whether the student meets
participation requirements. Currently, about 1.5 million test-takers meet requirements to enter NMSC’s competitions each year.
Of the 1.5 million NMSC program entrants, about 55,000 will earn 2010 PSAT/NMSQT scores high enough to qualify them for recognition. These students will be notified of their standing through their high schools in September 2011. Students who qualify to continue in the competitions for scholarships to be offered in 2012 must then meet academic and other requirements specified by NMSC to be considered for awards.
Detailed descriptions of NMSC programs are published in the Guide to the National Merit ?
Scholarship Program and the Information Booklet for the National Achievement ? Scholarship Program, mailed to high school principals each fall. For students and parents, information about the competitions is given in the Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT and at https://www.wendangku.net/doc/1f8215474.html, .
Inquiries about any aspect of the National Merit Program or National Achievement Program —
including entry requirements, the selection process, and awards to be offered — should be sent to:National Merit Scholarship Corporation 1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 200Evanston, IL 60201-4897
telephone 847-866-5100
Important to note
?Points represent the total number of correct answers minus a quarter (1/4) of a point for each incorrect answer
to a multiple-choice question.
?Nothing is deducted for incorrect answers to student-produced
response questions or for omitted
answers of any type.?Points are totaled, then converted to
scores on the 20–80 PSAT/NMSQT
scale.
?Converting points to scores adjusts
for slight differences in difficulty
between various forms. A statistical
process called equating adjusts
for these small differences. This
ensures that a score of, say, 65 on
one form of the test reflects a similar
level of performance as does a 65
on another form of the test.
?There is no advantage or disadvantage
in taking either the Wednesday or the
Saturday test form.
2010 PSAT/NMSQT Score Conversion Tables
show how points obtained on the test are converted to scores on the 20–80 PSAT/NMSQT scale.
5PSAT/NMSQT Score Change from Sophomore to Junior Year shows how scores change for students who take the PSAT/NMSQT as sophomores and again as juniors.
Points to note
The left-hand column of this table groups sophomores by critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills score ranges on the PSAT/NMSQT. Columns to the right show the percentage of students who gained or lost points when they took the test the following year. The far right column shows the average junior-year PSAT/NMSQT score of each original group of sophomores who had taken the PSAT/NMSQT.
On average, students taking the PSAT/NMSQT as sophomores and again as juniors have junior-year PSAT/NMSQT scores that are 3.3 points higher in critical reading, 4.0 points higher in math, and 3.3 points higher in writing skills. However, these are averages: some students earn scores in their junior year that are significantly higher; others receive lower scores.
Of students who took the PSAT/NMSQT as sophomores and again as juniors, 69% had junior-year PSAT/NMSQT critical reading scores that were higher, 6% had scores that stayed the same, and 25% had lower scores; 74% had junior-year PSAT/NMSQT mathematics scores that were higher, 5% had scores that stayed the same, and 21% had lower scores; 68% had junior-year PSAT/NMSQT writing skills scores that were higher, 5% had scores that stayed the same, and 27% had lower scores.
Several factors can influence the amount that scores will change, such as a student’s academic course work and outside reading.
Percentage of Junior-Year Students with a Score Gain or Loss after Taking the PSAT/NMSQT in Their Sophomore Year and Again in Their Junior Year
October 2007 and as juniors in October 2008.
Score Change from PSAT/NMSQT to SAT ?
shows how scores change for students who take the PSAT/NMSQT in October
and the SAT the following spring.
Points to note
Percentage of Junior-Year Students with a Score Gain or Loss Between the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT
e PSAT/NMSQT reports scores on a scale from 20 to 80. Scores on the SAT ? are reported on a 200-to-800 scale. e le -hand column o
f this table groups juniors by score ranges on the PSAT/NMSQT. Columns to the right show the percentage of students who gained or lost points when they took the SAT the followin
g spring. e far right column shows the average SAT score for the group of juniors in eac
h score range.
On average, juniors taking the
PSAT/NMSQT in October and the SAT the following spring higher in critical reading, 16 points higher in math, and 22 points higher in writing
(equivalent to 1.7, 1.6, and 2.2 points, respectively, on the
PSAT/NMSQT scale).
Of the PSAT/NMSQT test-takers who took the SAT in the
spring, 60% had SAT critical reading scores that were higher,
7% had scores that stayed the
same, and 33% had lower
scores; 58% had SAT math scores that were higher, 8% had scores that stayed the same, and 34% had lower scores; 62% had SAT writing scores that were higher, 6% had scores that
stayed the same, and 32% had
scores that were lower than their
corresponding PSAT/NMSQT
scores.Relatively low PSAT/NMSQT scores are followed by larger average gains than are relatively high PSAT/NMSQT scores. Several factors can in uence the amount that scores will change, such as a student’s academic course work and outside reading.
and the SAT as juniors in spring 2008. e rst SAT score from either the March, May, or June 2008 administration was used.
Can PSAT/NMSQT scores be used to estimate SAT scores?
PSAT/NMSQT critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills questions are designed to be the same type as those on the SAT. This is deliberate, as the PSAT/NMSQT questions are intended to be reliable preparation for the same types of questions on the SAT. The PSAT/NMSQT scale of 20 to 80 is comparable to the SAT scale of 200 to 800.
Estimated SAT score ranges are included on high school students’ supplemental, online score reports in My College QuickStart ?. Two times out of three, students earn SAT scores within these ranges, but actual scores may be higher (or lower) than these estimates. (As SAT writing scores also include an essay, there will be more variability in the estimates of those scores.) Higher-than-estimated SAT scores may result from intervening activities, such as:
? developing skills through rigorous academic courses;? participating in problem-solving activities;
? extensive, quality outside reading and/or writing;
? following the personalized advice in My SAT Study Plan ? in My College QuickStart; and
? becoming more familiar with test directions, types of questions, and pacing.Juniors frequently take the SAT six or seven months after taking the PSAT/NMSQT. Estimated SAT scores assume the SAT is taken within a year of the PSAT/NMSQT. Sophomores might not take the SAT for 18 months, providing a greater opportunity for intervening activities to influence their SAT scores.
What PSAT/NMSQT reports do schools receive?
The following standard reports are provided to all schools:? PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus for each student tested (one for the student and one for the school)
? Score Labels, summarizing the basic score information (one set of labels)
? Roster of Student Scores and Plans, listing student-reported information, scores, and My College QuickStart access code for each student, as well as educator access codes for online tools and reports
? School Summary Report (provided automatically if at least 50 of a school’s eleventh graders or tenth graders tested at the school), summarizing score statistics and student-reported information. Schools that test fewer than 50 eleventh graders/tenth graders, but at least 25 of their own students of the same sex and grade level, receive Summary Statistics.The following tools and reports are available online at https://www.wendangku.net/doc/1f8215474.html,/reports .
? AP Potential ?, a Web-based tool that helps educators identify students with the potential for success in Advanced Placement Program ? (AP ?) courses
? Summary of Answers and Skills, aggregating student
responses to each test question and providing information on skills that need improvement
? 2010 The College Board. All rights reserved. College Board, AP , Advanced Placement Program, SAT, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of the College Board. AP Potential, My College QuickStart, My SAT Study Plan, and ReadiStep are trademarks owned by the College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. National Merit, National Achievement and the corporate logo are federally registered service marks of National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Permission is hereby granted to any nonprofit school to reproduce this publication in whole or in part in limited quantities for distribution to students, parents, and staff, but not for sale, provided that the copyright notice appears on all reproduced materials.
85108-02079 ? UNLWEB1110.
? PSAT/NMSQT Summary Reports: National, Regional, and State Data, providing score statistics and student-reported information for juniors and sophomores, including final mean scores. Reports for 2010 will be available in the spring of 2011.The following optional reports are available for a small fee. To order, visit https://www.wendangku.net/doc/1f8215474.html,/school .
? School Summary Report, summarizing score data for schools that test fewer than 50 juniors/50 sophomores, or for schools that have some juniors or sophomores who tested elsewhere. Schools that test 50 or more of their juniors/sophomores automatically receive this report.
? Student Data File, including all student-provided data as well as scores, skills, and students’ My College QuickStart access codes. (Available in either Excel-ready or ASCII format.)My College QuickStart
https://www.wendangku.net/doc/1f8215474.html,/quickstart
My College QuickStart is an easy-to-use, online, personalized college and career planning kit for all students who take the PSAT/NMSQT. This useful tool incorporates responses students provided when they took the test and presents personalized information in five main parts: My Online Score Report, My SAT Study Plan, My Personality, My Major & Career Matches and My College Matches. Students can sign in to My College QuickStart starting in mid-December using the access code printed on their score reports. The tool can be utilized throughout high school.
How should schools use PSAT/NMSQT score reports?
The PSAT/NMSQT is intended to help students evaluate skill levels in three critical academic areas; prepare for the SAT;
compare their readiness for college-level work with that of their peers; and enter scholarship competitions. Score reports should be used for counseling students about educational plans. PSAT/NMSQT scores are not for use by colleges as part of their admission criteria. Do not include scores on student transcripts that will be reproduced and sent to colleges unless the student (age 18 or older) or parent/guardian has granted permission. Inform students of their right to withhold these scores from admission or athletic offices, even when requested.
Questions?
Visit https://www.wendangku.net/doc/1f8215474.html,/counselors/psat for additional data relevant to the test. Or contact the PSAT/NMSQT program at:Mail: P .O. Box 6720, Princeton, NJ 08541-6720 Phone: 888-477-PSAT (7728) (for educators only) 609-771-7070 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Fax: 610-290-8979
E-mail:
psat@https://www.wendangku.net/doc/1f8215474.html,
Plan Ahead for
2011 PSAT/NMSQT Dates
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 ? Saturday, October 15, 2011
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