• SAT / PSAT Family Resources

    Video from the Parent Information Sessions - Week of September 12, 2022

    Link to the presentation - Plano ISD PSAT Presentation

    The SAT Suite of Assessments – the PSAT 9, PSAT/NMSQT (given to our 10th graders), and SAT (given to our 11th graders in the spring) – are administered each school year to our students, at no cost to you. These College Readiness assessments are an integral part of your child’s education and provide benchmark scores that can be used to apply to colleges and earn scholarships.

    The PSAT 9 and PSAT/NMSQT are used to measure student preparedness for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The SAT is used for college readiness and is a part of the acceptance criteria in most colleges and universities.

    The consistency in the use of assessments in grades 9-11 will provide schools and students an outstanding opportunity to monitor student progress and create interventions that will better prepare students for the high-stakes college entrance exam.

    ***Access student SAT/PSAT 9/PSAT NMSQT scores through COLLEGE BOARD

    El camino hacia la preparación universitaria

    Parent Resources

    Getting your Teen Ready for the SAT/PSAT

    Getting your Teen Ready for the SAT/PSAT - Spanish

    Understanding PSAT 9 Scores 

    Understanding PSAT 9 Scores - Spanish

    Understanding PSAT 10 & NMSQT Scores

    Understanding PSAT 10 & NMSQT Scores - Spanish

  • Khan Academy 

    Khan Academy provides FREE personalized self-paced learning for students. It will first fill in gaps in understanding and then accelerate learning. SAT practice with Khan Academy gives students confidence and improves scores. What Students are Saying

    Students are able to link their College Board (PSAT/SAT) accounts to Khan academy to get automatic personalized recommendations based on PSAT performance, or take diagnostics if you have not taken the PSAT. The program will recommend practice based on student results, which will include video and text explanations to help you learn skills covered on the SAT/PSAT test. The Khan platform also includes full-length practice exams. Best Practices for Students

    Students

    Parents

  • SAT / PSAT Family Resources

     

    Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
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  • About the SAT

    The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make adminission decisions. The exam is multiple-choice test created by College Board. The SAT measures college readiness for high school students. It will provide common data points to colleges to allow them to compare all applicants. Admission departments at colleges will compare students based on their college entrance exams, high school GPA, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation from teachers, personal essays, and classes students took during high school. The higher a student scores on the SAT and/or ACT, the more options for attending and paying for various colleges will be available.

  • When should I take the SAT?

    Plano ISD provides ALL juniors the opportunity to take the exam for FREE on a designated school day during their junior year. Students may choose to register and pay for the exam at other times of the year through College Board SAT Test Dates. 

  • What is on the SAT?

    There are two SAT sections:

    • Math
    • Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

    Additionally there is an optional Essay section. The essay section scores are reported separately from overall test scores. Some colleges may require that you complete the SAT Essay.

  • How long is the SAT?

    The SAT is 3 hours in length (3 hours and 15 minutes with breaks). If you take the optional Essay it is 3 hours and 50 minutes (or 4 hours, 5 minutes with breaks).

  • How is the SAT scored?

    Each section of the SAT is scored on a 200-800 point scale. Total SAT score is the sum of your section scores. The highest possible scores is 1600. If you take the Essay, you will receive a separate score. Understand SAT scores

  • How can I prep for the SAT?

    Plano ISD provides several opportunities for students to prep for the SAT. Please visit our College Ready Test Prep. 

  • Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) 9
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  • About the PSAT 9 and PSAT 10

    The Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) is a practice version of the SAT exam offered FREE to PISD 9th and 10th graders. These exams test the same skills and knowledge as the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT in a way that makes sense to 9th and 10th graders. It measures what they're already learning, shows them whether they're on track for college, and will let them know where they need the most improvement.

  • How long is the PSAT 9 and PSAT 10

    The PSAT 9 is 2 hours, 25 minutes in length.

    The PSAT 10 is 2 hours, 45 minutes in length.

  • What is on the PSAT 9 and PSAT 10?

    There are two PSAT sections:

    • Math
    • Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

  • How is the PSAT 9 and PSAT 10 scored?

    Each section of the PSAT 9 is scored on a 120-720 point scale. Total PSAT 9 score is the sum of your section scores. The highest possible scores is 1440. Understanding PSAT 9 scores

    Each section of the PSAT 10 is scored on a 160-760 point scale. Total PSAT 10 score is the sum of your section scores. The highest possible scores is 1520. Understand PSAT 10 scores

  • Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)
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  • About the PSAT/NMSQT

    The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test that 11th graders (and 10th graders) take in October. Like the SAT, it measures the knowledge and skills in reading, writing, and math students learn in the classroom—the same knowledge and skills your child needs to succeed in college and career.

    Fast Facts

    • Students sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT at their school—not online. 
    • Students who take the PSAT/NMSQT qualify for a chance to win scholarships and recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and our other scholarship partners. Learn more about the scholarships.
    • PSAT/NMSQT scores are available online in December. Here's how your child can see their scores.
    • We never send PSAT/NMSQT scores to colleges.

  • How long is the PSAT/NMSQT?

    The PSAT/NMSQT is 2 hours and 45 minutes in length.

  • What is on the PSAT/NMSQT

    There are two PSAT/NMSQT sections:

    • Math
    • Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

  • How is the PSAT/NMSQT Scored?

    Scores will be reported on a shared common score scale with the SAT: The scale ranges for the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 scores are 320–1520 for the total score, 160–760 for each of two section scores, and 8–38 for test scores. Subscores for every test, providing added insight for students, parents, educators, and counselors.

  • Why take the PSAT/NMSQT?

    Recognition Programs

    The College Board National Recognition Programs grant students academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications. Colleges use these honors to identify students from underrepresented groups who have excelled on their PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or AP Exams and in their classrooms.

    The following organizations are serving as advisers for these programs:

    Scholarship Programs

    The PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying test for entry to the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. The PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 are not considered for entry.

    For more information, visit the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) website, see the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide, or see the Guide to the National Merit Scholarship Program (for educators). NMSC is a cosponsor of the PSAT/NMSQT.

  • SAT/PSAT Family Resources
  • TSI Resources
  • College Ready Test Prep