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Preparing for Success on the PSAT 8/9

Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) is providing the opportunity for every 8th grade student to take the PSAT. The PSAT 8/9 prepares students for the SAT and is one of the criteria used to determine student eligibility into the following PGCPS High School Specialty Programs:

Science and Technology (S/T)

Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Technology (AEAT)

Academy of Health Sciences

To support students in preparing for the PSAT 8/9, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction is pleased to share tips to help prepare students for the PSAT 8/9.

What is the PSAT 8/9?

The PSAT or Preliminary SAT is a practice tool to prepare you for the SAT assessment. The PSAT 8/9 will also provide you with baseline data on your strengths and growth areas.

The PSAT 8/9 tests the same skills and knowledge as the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, and PSAT 10—but is aligned for eighth and ninth grade students based on their learning. It measures what they are already learning, shows them whether they are on track for college, and lets them know where they need the most improvement.

The PSAT 8/9 allows students time to focus on these areas of improvement long before they take the SAT.

Why Take the PSAT 8/9?

The PSAT 8/9 prepares students for the SAT and helps to give a jump start on qualifying for scholarships including the National Merit® Scholarship Program!

It is excellent practice for the SAT! Both tests measure the same knowledge and skills and ask the same types of questions, so PSAT/NMSQT takers will know what to expect on the SAT.

It shows student progress on the road to college and gives you, your child and their teachers information about whether your child is on track for college.

It provides admissions and financial aid information from colleges.

It shows which Advanced Placement Program® (AP) courses your child is ready for and provides the best practice for the SAT Reasoning Test™.

Additionally, when a student takes the PSAT 8/9 test, they receive:

Personalized feedback on critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills, including suggestions for improvement.
Insight into their academic skills compared to their collegebound peers.
Information about each test question, including correct answers with full explanations online; students also have their actual test book returned with their score reports.
Free access to MyRoad, a dynamic Web-based career, major, and college exploration tool.

Preparing for the PSAT 8/9

How Can My Child Prepare for the PSAT 8/9?

The same habits and choices that lead to success in school will help you get ready for the PSAT 8/9 and other tests in the SAT Suite of Assessments.

The best way to prepare is to:

Take challenging courses
Do your homework
Prepare for tests and quizzes
Ask an answer lots of questions
Practice on Khan Academy

What is the Khan Academy?

Khan Academy is a free online resource that allows students to learn anytime, anywhere, with material that is uniquely appropriate for them.

Students can explore new topics and strengthen their math skills by using interactive practice and tutorials. As students learn, their activity feeds into reports that show important information such as strengths and areas for improvement in a particular concept.