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PSAT Information 2009
  

THE PSAT:
YOUR TICKET TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

HILLSBORO STUDENTS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED
TO SIGN UP FOR THE PSAT THIS YEAR
Deadline to sign up: September 25

How does an $80,000 scholarship sound to you? What about a free laptop and the best dorm room in college? Read more to find out how you could win a scholarship that powerful just by taking the PSAT in October.

What is the PSAT (also known as the PSAT/NMSQT)?

  • PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
  • It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test, a test you take to get into college. It also gives you a chance to enter the National Merit Scholarship programs, open to qualifying juniors.
  • The test has three sections on it: critical reading skills, math, and writing.
  • The test is about 2 hours long and is given on October 14, 2009, at HHS during the school day by HHS teachers.

Who should take it?

  • ALL 10th and 11th graders! And interested 9th graders.
  • Particularly 11th graders, as they may qualify to win the National Merit and National Achievement (African American) scholarships.

Why should ALL 10th and 11th graders take it?

  • 11th graders can win BIG scholarship money-full rides-if they qualify in the National Merit competition simply by taking this test. Hillsboro has hidden National Merit Scholars lurking in our halls, waiting to win this scholarship! There is also a special scholarship known as the National Achievement Scholarship for African American high-score achievers on this test.
  • The PSAT test results can help us gather information to help them select the best AP courses for their course of studies at Hillsboro. We can tailor students' schedule directly to their strengths if they take this powerful test.
  • It is essential practice for the SAT, hence its name-the "PRE" SAT. Students who take the PSAT do better on the SAT, which is a gatekeeper to college and scholarships.
  • Colleges and scholarship agencies get students' score reports and immediately begin recruiting them.
  • The College Board, who makes the test, offers a FREE service to PSAT-takers to assist them in finding colleges and scholarships students need. Students who take the PSAT gain access to a personalized college and career-planning kit, called "My College QuickStart," where they can access an enhanced online score report, prepare for the SAT with a customized study plan, view a starter list of colleges that match your needs, and connect to a detailed profile of colleges, majors, and careers.
  • Mr. Manuel said that ANY student who takes the PSAT may earn a 1-day off-campus lunch pass, pending parental permission, of course!
  • 10th graders should take the PSAT to practice for their junior year, when they will compete to earn the National Merit scholarship.

Should 9th graders take it?

  • Yes! This only adds further practice for their junior year, when they can take the PSAT to win the National Merit Scholarship Competition.
  • Taking the PSAT as a frosh only adds further practice and preparation for the SAT.
  • Taking the PSAT also allows Hillsboro to use the results from the PSAT for making them the best schedule.

How to sign up:

  • The cost is only $15 - no personal checks; only cash, cashier's check, or money order. Fee-waivers are available on a first come, first-served basis to juniors who are on Free and Reduced Lunch.
  • Sign-ups are in the Counseling Office at lunch only during the window September 21-September 25.

What do I need when I sign up?

  • The student (or parent) only needs to bring $15 and his/her name to the Counseling Office. Juniors on free-and-reduced lunch qualify for a fee-waiver on a first-come, first-served basis and should notify Counseling that they qualify when they sign up. In addition to the fee waivers, we have an anonymous donor who will be helping students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch. If a student is interested, cost should not be the thing that keeps him or her from taking the test.

How should a student study for the PSAT?

  • According to the test makers, the best way to prepare is to take the most challenging courses you can in high school.
  • For further information, go to the College Board's website to learn about the content covered on the PSAT and to learn study tips from the test makers. You can also download practice tests, get free advice on studying, and find out more "insider info." Here is the site: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/prep.html.
  • Be sure to pick up a copy of the "Official Student Guide to the PSAT" that will arrive by September in the Hillsboro Counseling Office.