Throughout the year, students have been taking practice tests in preparation for the SAT their junior year. However, they might be wondering why we take these tests and why they are so important.
Because the SAT can be very different from other tests students take, it can be helpful to get familiar with it before taking it for real. School counselor Shawna Magtutu explained how PSATs help us prepare for taking the SAT. Magtutu said “A lot of students, especially freshmen, don’t know what to expect at all. This gives you an idea of the format, of the timing, of the space you will be tested in, just that overall environment.”
The SAT can have a different format than other tests students take, so it can be beneficial to get used to it beforehand. Students can also find out what to focus on and what their strengths and weaknesses are, as well as get an understanding of what information they are being tested on.
However, the PSAT tests aren’t just for getting used to the format. The scores are very important and can provide valuable academic insights. Taking multiple practice tests throughout the year can help students and teachers set goals and measure growth. Magtutu also said, “Because you can see your data right away, it gives you an idea of goals, and it helps the teachers know where they can focus for the rest of the year.”
The practice PSATs can provide information about a student’s learning needs. Magtutu said “Sometimes they [the scores] are used for data like, ‘Is this the right class?’ ‘Is the student not being pushed and clearly they’re able and we’ve just never seen it before?’ or ‘Is this class clearly overwhelming?’ Then the score gives us a little more data to make a decision or to talk with the student and parent if they’d like that option.”
Not only do scores help the students know where they are academically, they also impact the entire school. Counselor Holly Teyler-Crowder said “The actual test that students take in April is part of the Colorado Measures of Academic Success, or CMAS, so those scores do get reported to the state department of education, and that does get reflected back on how well our teachers, staff, and students are performing in the state of Colorado. That then determines next steps for schools on what they need to do to either improve academic performance in schools, or maintain, or whatever that looks like.”
Also, sophomores taking the official PSAT/NMSQT test in April can qualify for a national scholarship. The PSAT/NMSQT is the only qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to 50,000 high school seniors annually and looks impressive to colleges.
Because of how the scores impact both a student personally as well as the entire school, it’s important to try your best on the practice PSATs. The SAT itself is also incredibly important because it can get students scholarships or get them into colleges of their choice.
