PSAT Test Materials
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized exam commonly taken by high school students in preparation for the SAT and to qualify for National Merit Scholarships. Our PSAT preparation program offers comprehensive study materials and practice tests to help students excel on exam day. By analyzing PSAT performance data, we tailor instructional content to strengthen students’ skills in critical reading, writing, and mathematics, ultimately aiming to enhance their performance on both the PSAT and SAT exams.
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Cambridge’s AccelePrep for the NEW PSAT Test is designed for those that want to learn how to best prepare for the changes found in the new online section adaptive PSAT test. This effective resource systematically addresses the two content sections of the test (combined reading/writing and math sections) in terms of design, adaptivity, timing, newly written passage types and question stems, and calculator based multiple-choice and student-produced response items.
Students will learn how to effectively navigate test content, avoid common errors and distractors, leverage the latest test features to maximize their score, master strategies for the most frequently tested topics, and “Ace the Pace” while experiencing high-value practice items that offer the best return on preparation.
Throughout the resource there is an emphasis on the most Essential PSAT/SAT Skills. One full-length practice test is also included so that students can hone their test-taking abilities and put their new knowledge to practice, a key action for preparing for the PSAT/SAT.
The teacher’s guide helps teachers to teach the skills and strategies students need to approach the PSAT test efficiently and effectively. The book is all inclusive with the student text and highlights AccelePrep exclusive tools such as mastering the AccelePrep method, test specifications and features, effective pacing, strategies, and power tip alerts. In addition, teacher notes are provided that not only highlight the correct answer but provide explanations as to why incorrect answers are truly incorrect.
Cambridge’s Victory for the PSAT® 8/9, PSAT 10, and PSAT/NMSQT Tests and Essential Skills texts comprise a two-volume classroom set that is packed with core content review and over 1,000 reinforcement items. These resources allow the teachers to maximize instructional time and provide content and test-strategy items in all three subject areas tested on the PSAT and SAT tests, covering only those sections most needed by the students as provided by their computer-generated lesson plans.
The Victory teacher guides systematically present core content and skills, test-taking strategies, and explanations to all classroom text exercises, quizzes, and tests. The course concept outlines help instructors guide students through well-defined content review. Student text items are included in the teacher’s guide for a more user-friendly teaching experience. The Essential Skills teacher’s guide allows teachers to spend more practice and time on basic skills review and exercises. Built on three score ranges (high-medium-low) of the College Readiness Standards™, teachers will find it easy to differentiate instruction in the classroom based on student needs as they provide practice to fill skill gaps, master PSAT skills, and increase scores.
Cambridge’s eCelePrep for the SAT® and PSAT/NMSQT® Tests is a comprehensive online course that provides up to 30 hours of rigorous curricula in an interactive and self-guided format. This web course is available on all devices, including computers, tablets, and smartphones so students have access wherever the internet is available. eCelePrep contains pre- and post-tests and lesson units that help students understand and leverage the PSAT/SAT’s test-mechanics, master tested concepts, and develop game plans to answer even the toughest questions. Students also have access to graded practice quizzes and timed mini tests. Although no teacher involvement is necessary, teachers can track student progress, time on task, individual results, and scoring.
Teacher Professional Development
Cambridge’s Test DeMystifier Professional Development gives teachers a thorough understanding TSI, ACT or PSAT/SAT test (additional Test DeMystifiers are also available). Teachers learn about test mechanics including the test structure and format; timing of each subject test – Reading, Writing and Language, English, Math, and Science; tested content and skills within each subject and in what proportion; and analysis of the new Essay, including the passage, prompt, and expectations. With practice problems in Reading, Writing and Language, English, Math, and Science teachers learn high-value test-taking strategies for items most frequently encountered on the test; how different forms of “data” are integrated throughout the tests; how to address student-produced response questions, and about evidence-based questions. Teachers also gain insight into the scoring of the tests and the aligned scale scores for any suite of exams (PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT, and SAT).
Cambridge’s Introduction to Testing Readiness provides teachers with a thorough understanding of how to effectively prepare students using any one of Cambridge’s test preparation materials including Victory for the PSAT, SAT or ACT Test, Essential Skills, AccelePrep for the ACT or SAT, TSIA2, or Non-Negotiable Skills texts. Led by a Cambridge Master teacher and customized for your implementation model your teachers will analyze the Cambridge Course Concept Outline, understand the instructional layout and progression of the Cambridge materials, consider different course structures and timings, learn how to target instruction based on ability levels while incorporating building basic skills into your program, review applicable Item Indexes and Crosswalks to Standards, explore the mechanics of the applicable test in terms of test structure, timing, content, frequency and skills for each section of the test (e.g. Writing, Language, Reading, Math, and Science), learn best practices for implementing and differentiating instruction, and gain insight into question types, concepts tested, common distractors, and assigning homework. This professional development assumes use of Cambridge materials for a skill building or test preparation program.
Teachers will take a dive into their own students’ data to understand how to effectively use the Cambridge data reports (reports may include Student Summary and Item Analysis, Instructor Summary, Error Analysis, Content Distribution, Formative Connection, Lesson Plans, and others) to more effectively address skill gaps and target instruction. Topics include the pre-assessment process and the importance of timely and accurate feedback, linking assessment items to instructional objectives and differentiating among learners to drive score increases across the spectrum of achievement. Teachers will also learn powerful ACT and SAT test-taking strategies to incorporate in the classroom.
Student and Family Workshops
The ScoreCelerator Workshop for the ACT, SAT, or TSIA2 tests offer an intensive review of solid test taking techniques, high-value targets that offer the best return on preparation time, and powerful test-taking strategies. Students will learn how to avoid common errors and use the test structure to maximum advantage. Topics include:
- The mechanics of the test:
- How the test is written and scored
- How just a few more correct questions can dramatically increase scores – every problem matters,
- Common distractors
- A systematic analysis of each section of the test:
- Mapping of item types
- Timing and pacing of the test
- Proportion of problems
- The need to be a wise test-taker:
- In-depth strategies
- How to get the best return on preparation and practice
- Workshop practice problems are used illustrate test mechanics and strategies
The Student Motivation Workshop encourages students to set high expectations for educational and personal goals, and to start planning for the future now. Emphasizing the importance of good test scores and conscientious preparation to build a competitive application, students learn the impact education has on career choices and earnings, today’s top jobs and in-demand college degrees, how to maximize opportunities for admission and financial aid, and the importance of solid practice and preparation for the challenges of the ACT® or SAT® test.
The College Is for Me/Family Admissions Workshop (usually presented in the evenings) helps students and parents focus on practical tactics for gaining admission to college. Participants learn the most effective steps families must take in the college transition process. The workshop includes topics such as the correlation between high test scores, GPA and earnings; designing and crafting a winning application; strategies for choosing schools; tips on securing financial aid; the roles of parents; an overview of the design and mechanics of the ACT® or SAT®; and a demonstration of problem-solving strategies.
