We’ll start off by trying to demystify the National Merit Scholarship. It sounds like a good thing, but what is it, and how do you qualify? Next year (2016) the PSAT will be very different from the current test given this year and in years past. So, in order to help you plan and prepare, we’ll talk about some of those changes and what they mean for you. Finally, we’ll cover a little bit about planning for the new exam – how to prepare and what to be on the lookout for – so that you can give yourself the best shot at getting a great score.

1. National Merit
Scholarships and the
New PSAT
Presented by: Jesse Pizarro
Regional Trainer — Southern California

2. • National Merit
Scholarships
• The New,
Harder PSAT
• Math
• Reading
• Writing
• Preparing for
Success
Agenda

3. • Students who perform exceptionally well on the PSAT
as 11th Graders
~ 1,500,000 Students take the exam
~ 50,000 “Commended” Students
~ 16,000 Semi-Finalists
~ 15,000 Finalists
~ 7600 Award Recipients
~ 1300 Non-Finalists receive Special Scholarships
• More info at www.NationalMerit.org
National Merit Scholarships: Numbers

4. • National Merit $2500
Scholarship
• Corporate-sponsored merit
scholarships
– Awarded by companies based on
their own criteria
– Check to see if your parents work
for such a company
• College-sponsored merit
scholarship awards
– $500 - $2500 annually
National Merit Scholarship Types

5. • Cut-offs vary by state and year
• Larger (population) states tend to have higher cutoffs
• Example 222 score: 75 M/75 CR/72 WR
State Cutoff (Class of 2015)
California 222
Georgia 215
New York 218
Texas 218
Virginia 219
National Merit Scholarship: Qualifying

6. • Excellent SAT scores
• Excellent academic performance
in school
• Endorsement of your principal
• Completion of application materials
National Merit Scholarship: Further Criteria

7. Acing the
New, Harder
PSAT
National Merit Scholarship: The Most Important Part

8. When will this happen?
New PSAT: October 2015
New SAT: March 2016

9. What is the
Common Core?

10. State governors and education officials
began this initiative in 2009 in response
to two problems:
• Inconsistent standards among states
• Perceived low standards in the United States
compared to those in the rest of the world
The Common Core: Origins

11. • Provide a consistent, clear
understanding of what
students are expected to
learn so teachers and parents
know what they need to do to
help them
• Designed to be robust &
relevant to the real world
• Create students who are
better prepared for college
and career
The Common Core: Goals

12. IT’S COMING…
The Common Core: Adoption
Source: www.corestandards.org
IT’S COMING…
The Common Core: Adoption
Adopted
Not Adopted

13. • The current PSAT is not
well-aligned with what’s
taught in school
• Colleges are questioning
the PSAT/SAT
• The Architect of the
Common Core, David
Coleman, is now the
President of the
CollegeBoard
The New PSAT & the Common Core

14. So what does this mean?
The New PSAT is unofficially the
“10th/11th Grade Common Core
Assessment”

15. 1. Math
2. Evidence-
Based Reading
& Writing
The Test: Two Subjects

16. • Scored on a 320 to 1520
scale, similar to the SAT
• Math score out of 760
• Verbal (combined Reading
and Writing) score out of 760
• 4 answers options per
question; guessing
penalty eliminated!
• 2 hours, 45 minutes
General Test Changes

17. Topic %
Heart of Algebra
• Analyzing and fluently solving equations and systems of equations
• Creating expressions, equations, and inequalities to represent relationships
• Rearranging and interpreting formulas
32%
Problem Solving and Data Analysis
• Creating and analyzing relationships using ratios, proportions, and
percentages
• Describing relationships shown graphically
• Summarizing qualitative and quantitative data
32%
Passport to Advanced Math
• Rewriting expressions using their structure
• Creating, analyzing, and fluently solving quadratic and higher-order
equations
• Manipulating polynomials purposefully to solve problems
32%
Additional Topics in Math
• Making area and volume calculations in context
• Investigating lines, angles, triangles, and circles using theorems
• Working with trigonometric functions
4%
Math

18. Algebra I Geometry Algebra 2 Precalculus
Geometry Alg II/Trig PreCalculus
Calculus AB
or BC
Geometry/Alg
II
Precalculus Calculus AB Calculus BC
Standard Math Schedules

19. Common Core New PSAT
Know how to “use tools strategically”
No calculator for some sections.
Problems with multiple potential solution paths
• Practice A LOT to sharpen mental math skills.
• For every new topic learned, practice an extra 30 minutes daily.
• Learn to tackle problems from multiple angles.
• Try problems both with a calculator and without one.
Math

20. Common Core New PSAT
Fewer Topics in Greater Depth Terms and definitions are critical for success.
• Master the fine print: take notes & never skip a problem in your own
math textbooks!
• Consider your math schedule and how it lines up with the SAT.
• You need to know up to Trigonometry, and even Pre-Calculus.
Math

21. Common Core New PSAT
A focus on “Real world scenarios” Expect to see tons of word problems.
• Become a word problem guru.
• Not only do you need to know the math, you need to know how
different topics relate to each other.
• Many word problems will require multi-step solutions so train
yourself to think in “step-by-step” processes.
Math

22. • Math will be more challenging!
• Fewer topics but you’ll need more in-depth knowledge!
• Your problem solving skills will need to be stronger
• There will be multiple ways to solve a problem, but you’ll need
to decide the “optimal” path to solving a problem
• Mental math will be required for No-Calculator sections
• Word problems, word problems, word problems!
• With a focus on “Real World” scenarios, you’ll be seeing far
more graphs, charts, and word problems!
So what does this mean?

23. Current PSAT: Reading

24. Committed/
devoted
Setting aside
for memorial
purposes
Reading: Focus on Multiple Meaning

25. Every passage will have
2 of these!
Tricky vocab not
“tested” but language in
text is harder – if you
can’t understand the
passage, you can’t
answer the questions!
Reading

26. Common Core New PSAT
• Literary Skills across various subjects
• Read and analyze U.S. documents of historical
and literary significance
• College-level reading passages
• More non-fiction text from science, history, and
social studies
• Some passages will be from “Founding
Documents” or from the Greater Global
Conversation.
• Challenge yourself by reading more non-fiction. Biographies of
famous U.S. historical figures are a great start.
• Take notes when you are reading through your history or
science textbooks from school.
• Get familiar with U.S. founding history.
Reading

27. Common Core New PSAT
• Emphasis on diagrams and data analysis
• Reading & Writing will include tables, charts, and
other graphics
• Read A LOT. Never skip those charts and graphs in your
history or science textbooks.
• Read a LOT of non-fiction, especially newspapers like the New
York Times or the Wall Street Journal.
• Check out fivethirtyeight.com and/or nytimes.com/upshot.
Reading

28. Common Core New PSAT
• Citing Textual Evidence
• Evidence-based reading and writing will include
paired “evidence” questions.
• The answer you choose for one question will
directly affect the other.
• Practice the art of Close Reading!
• Learn to analyze text & understand how the author is using
evidence.
• Learn to take smarter notes when reading.
Reading

29. • Reading will be harder!
• When was the last time you read a speech from a U.S.
Senator or Supreme Court Justice?
• No such thing as “skimming!”
• Close Reading Skills require lots of practice & long-term
development
• “Reading” isn’t enough – deeper interpretation
matters!
• Do you carefully read the charts found in your textbook for
subjects like history & science? What about those pesky
charts used in newspaper articles?
So what does this mean?

30. Common Core New PSAT
• Literary Skills across various subjects
• Read and analyze U.S. documents of historical
and literary significance
• College-level reading passages
• The Writing Test requires a LOT of reading.
• Get a head start by using the ACT’s English Test to practice
the type of reading & revising skills the New SAT will test.
• Aim to boost your reading speed by reading A LOT!!!
• Review your basic grammar & usage rules.
Writing

31. • Writing will be harder!
• You have only 35 minutes for 4 passages (44 total
questions)
• You’ll need to read passages, edit, and revise – much like
revising a research paper!
• You’ll need multiple skills
• Strong vocabulary, command of evidence, and ability to
read charts & graphs
• Grammar still matters!
• The bulk of the exam remains a test of grammar concepts,
like subject-verb agreement, parallelism, and using proper
sentence structure.
So what does this mean?

32. The goal of the CollegeBoard is to make the SAT more
relevant to what students need to succeed in college and in
their careers and more closely match what is studied in
school.
However…
improving at schoolwork is hard!!
How do I prepare?

33. Create a Plan

34. • Know your dates
– October 2015 for the New PSAT
• Know which test you plan to
take next
– SAT or ACT? New SAT or Old SAT?
– Check out C2’s Webinars on these topics
at www.c2educate.com/webinars
• Be realistic
• Use your summers well
Plan Essentials

35. Diagnostics
• Pinpoint strengths and weaknesses
• Provide a basis for a customized program
Customized
Programs
• Tailored to meet each student’s needs
• Focus on weaknesses instead of needless review
Excellent
Teachers
• Score in the 95th percentile
• Not just educators, but mentors and support system
Amazing
Results
• Average SAT increase of 350 points (3 points on ACT)
• 100% see grade improvements within one year
The C2 Method