Dear Liberty Families,
The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is coming! The test for all sophomores and juniors will be administered on Wednesday, October 14th at Liberty High School. The sign up process is simple. You just pay the $13.00 test fee through the online payment system at https://web.issaquah.wednet.edu/touchbase/login-form.aspx or directly to our ASB Bookkeeper and your student will be registered. Upon payment, a study guide will be delivered to your student in class. Scholarships are available to those in need through the Issaquah Schools Foundation. If you need financial assistance to cover the cost of the exam, please contact Mr. Gibson, Assistant Principal at 425-837-4805.
Additional information about the exam will be provided via e-news as the test date approaches. For now, we can tell you that testing will begin at 9:40 am (regular late start) and end at 12:25pm with one lunch following the test. Freshman and Seniors will be able to choose whether to come to school at 9:40am and participate in alternate activities, or to stay home for the morning. October 14th is a “B” day, and 5th period will begin at 1:05pm. The school day will end at the regular Wednesday time, 2:42pm.
FAQs for the PSAT
Q What is the PSAT?
Q The PSAT is the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (this is different than the Mock SAT offered by our PTSA organization) that provides sophomores and juniors with the opportunity to get ready for the official SAT. Each student receives feedback on each section of the test and a personalized planning guide with their test results. For juniors, the exam is also the qualifying test offered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation across the United States.
Q Why should my student take this test?
o Since the majority of our juniors will be signing up for their SAT exam sometime during their junior year (predominantly in the spring), the PSAT will help them be familiar with the kinds of questions and style of directions that appear on the SAT. It also provides them with projected SAT score range, excellent personalized feedback and a study plan. This is a cheaper option to see the type of questions on the SAT rather than taking one SAT early and one later.
o For your tenth grader this test can provide the student with some valuable information in knowing how to begin preparing for standardized college entrance tests. This is a cheaper option to see the type of questions on the SAT rather than taking one SAT early and one later.
o PSAT can help the student who has difficulties with test-taking situations prepare, gain practice and receive personalized feedback now before scores are sent to colleges. Students can also go online to collegeboard.com and begin working on a SAT problem of the day.
o It is also not too early to become a regular visitor to the collegeboard.com website. This will be the site where your student will go to sign up for the SAT when that time comes but it also has a wealth of information that you will find helpful. This year is a year to really work on their study habits and test-taking strategies.
o For many schools our students choose to attend either right away or later, the SAT is a requisite part of their application. Taking the PSAT/NMSQT allows students to grow in familiarity with the SAT-style exams.
Q How does my student sign up for the exam?
o Friday, Oct 9 is the registration deadline to pay $13 and to register.
Q How can my student prepare for this test?
o When a student signs up for the test they are sent a Student Study Guide. This gives them useful tips, practice questions etc. We encourage students to go on line to www.collegeboard.com and review the information about the PSAT there as well.
o The day before the exam, encourage your student to eat a healthy dinner and get a good night’s sleep.
o We encourage students to make time to eat breakfast the day of the exam. Our brains use a lot of energy, especially when we put them in a stressful situation such as a multi-hour exam. You will also want to bring a water bottle and maybe a snack for mid-morning.
o Come dressed in layers and comfortable, non-binding clothing.
o As a staff, we will be communicating with students through their Language Arts classes about the exam.
Q When does my student receive his/her results?
o Results are typically delivered to LHS and distributed to the students in late December or early January.