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PSAT/NMSQT and SAT Updates

PSAT/NMSQT and SAT School Day

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is pleased to announce plans to offer the Preliminary SAT (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) to students in grades 10-11 on October 12, 2022. A PSAT/NMSQT Testing Notification letter is posted online along with translations. All sophomores and juniors will automatically be registered to take the PSAT/NMSQT.

Please view this infographic to learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT School Day test hosted at Oakton HS.

FCPS is also offering the SAT School Day to students in grade 12 only on October 12, 2022 as well. A SAT School Day Testing Notification letter is posted online along with translations.  Seniors wanting to participate MUST register to take the SAT School Day test by Sept. 7th. All seniors who did not register to take the SAT will participate in asynchronous activities at home. Seniors must use their FCPS accounts to register for the SAT School Day test through our Oakton HS: SAT School Day Intent to Participate Form.  Only seniors enrolled at Oakton can complete this form.

Please view this infographic to learn more about the SAT School Day test hosted at Oakton HS. 

FAQs

When and where is testing?

Both the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT School Day tests will be held at Oakton High School on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. Students will be emailed their testing room locations through their fcpsschools.net accounts closer to the date of the test.

Who can test?

Current Oakton-enrolled sophomores and juniors are eligible to take the PSAT/NMSQT on October 12, 2022. Only Oakton seniors may participate in SAT School Day. All freshmen and unregistered seniors will participate in asynchronous activities at home.

Will there be a fee?

There is no cost for FCPS students to take the PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day test.

How do students register to take the test?

PSAT/NMSQT School Day Registration happens at the local level at school, and all sophomores and juniors are automatically registered to test. However, students should set up a College Board account with their personal email address prior to testing. On testing day, there's a fill-in-the-blank question about an email address for reporting scores. The student should use the same email address that was used to set up the College Board account. (That same account will need to be used if the student plans on taking AP classes/exams later, so it can't be a parent account. It shouldn't be the student's school FCPS email either since students lose access to their FCPS accounts upon graduation). It’s also worth noting that students can only have ONE College Board account. Learn how to create a College Board account here: https://pages.collegeboard.org/account-help/how-create-account Once the test is scored, the scores should populate in the CB account so that your child will have easier access to scoring.

Seniors wanting to participate in SAT School Day MUST register by Sept. 7, 2022 (form will be released at the beginning of the school year). Only @fcpsschools.net email addresses can access the Oakton HS: SAT School Day Intent to Participate Form.

How can I prepare for the test?

Start with these resources!

How do I apply for accommodations for the test?

Students with disabilities who have testing accommodations documented in a 504 Plan or an individualized education program (IEP) may be eligible for testing accommodations for College Board tests like the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT*. The College Board must approve a formal request for each student. If the student already has College Board accommodations approved from a previous PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, SAT, or AP test, then no further action is needed. Once instated, accommodations remain in place for all College Board testing. The Accommodations Process for College Board Testing webpage provides instructions on how to request College Board testing accommodations, including the required input and consent forms (Enclosures 2-3). To request new or amended College Board accommodations for the October PSAT/NMSQT or SAT, return the input and consent forms to the school by August 9, 2022. When returning forms, deliver to:

ATTN: Chris Buckley

Oakton High School

2900 Sutton Road

Vienna, VA 22181

OR [email protected] 

If you have questions about College Board testing accommodations for the PSAT/NMSQT, contact us at c[email protected]. We will share more specifics about the October 12 PSAT/NMSQT testing opportunity at the beginning of the school year.

* English learners (ELs), as defined by state and federal policy, are eligible for testing supports on the SAT School Day. EL supports are temporary and can only be used on the test date for which they have been requested. The EL Supports Process for College Board Testing webpage provides instructions on how to request College Board EL supports, including the required input and consent forms (Enclosures 5-6).

 

SAT 

Students wishing to sign up for the SAT on dates other than the SAT School Day test on October 12th must do so through their individual College Board accounts. 

Resources:

 

PSAT/NMSQT School Day FAQs

What is the PSAT/NMSQT test?

The PSAT is a practice SAT test and cannot be sent off to colleges and universities for application purposes. The PSAT/NMSQT version of the test (as opposed to the PSAT 8/9 or 10) is the official qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship. Learn more about the National Merit Scholarship here.

When/where is the PSAT/NMSQT for Oakton students?

The PSAT/NMSQT will be given on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Oakton HS during the school day. 

Do I have to register to take this test with the College Board? How much will it cost?

For the October 12th, 2022 PSAT/NMSQT at Oakton High School, we will be taking care of registration locally, and there is no fee this year to participate in testing for FCPS juniors. There is no need to register through the College Board, but students must create an account with the College Board to access their scores. Accounts should be created through a personal email address (not school) so that students can access scores past their tenure at Oakton High School.

How long is the test?

The PSAT/NMSQT is normally 2 hours, 55 minutes long; however, students with College Board-approved extended time will test longer. Students testing with standard time should be done around 12:30 pm. Students testing with extended time will be emailed their testing time approximation closer to the testing date. If your child has College Board accommodations, please visit this site.

What should my student bring to school for the PSAT/NMSQT test? **Please note: We do not typically loan out pencils or calculators to students for this test.**

  • Two or more No. 2 pencils- not mechanical
  • Graphing Calculator
  • Water and snacks. Snacks may be consumed during breaks. We request that snacks are peanut-free and carried in a clear Ziplock bag.

What is prohibited from testing?

Testers are not permitted to bring any electronic “smart” device such as a cell phone or wearable technology like a Smart Watch or Fitbit. Please leave these items at home.

Is food permitted?

Fairfax County will be providing a grab and go breakfast and lunch option for all students. Snacks are allowed to be eaten during scheduled breaks. We request that snacks are peanut-free and carried in a clear Ziplock bag.

How can my student prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT?

PSAT Student Guides which includes a practice test is linked above.  The College Board has also partnered with Khan Academy to provide online practice: Official PSAT® Practice. Please also visit the PSAT/NMSQT Terms and Conditions.

How will testers receive information about their individual test?

Testers will also be receiving an email through their fcpsschools.net accounts regarding the check-in process, entrance and testing room assignments, and what to bring (and what not to bring). 

How can my student apply for testing accommodations for the PSAT?

The College Board’s deadline for PSAT accommodation requests is August 9, 2022.  Any student who has College Board approved accommodations will receive the appropriate accommodations on test day.  Please be aware that students with an extended time accommodation will finish testing later.  Additionally, students testing with MP3 audio will test over 2 days. For questions about the College Board accommodation request process, please contact our SPED Department Chair, Shelley Wiederhold, at [email protected].

When will my student receive PSAT/NMSQT scores?

Scores should be available online to students through their free College Board accounts typically six weeks after testing.   Students can view scores via College Board at https://studentscores.collegeboard.org/home. Students who do not currently have a College Board account will need to create one to view scores.  Students should use their personal email (not fcpsschools.net accounts) to create their CB accounts as they may need access to these scores past being an FCPS student.

I have a question that is not listed above – who should I contact?

Please contact our Assessment Coach, Molly Brady, [email protected].

 

Test Accommodations

College Board (SAT, PSAT, AP Exams)

If your child has a current IEP or 504 plan and you are planning to apply for accommodations from the College Board for an AP or SAT exam, you must complete the Parent Consent Form and the Local Application and return it to Shelley Wiederhold, Special Education Department Chair at Oakton High School. The College Board application procedure is a one-time process.  If you have a rising sophomore, junior, or senior who has already completed the application, you do not need to do this again.  The approved accommodations will apply to each College Board test.  If you wish to know if your student already has accommodations, please contact College Board directly at 609-771-7137 or go to www.collegeboard.com/ssd/.

ACT

The ACT process is a bit different than College Board’s. When you register for an ACT exam and you wish to have accommodations, you will request that as you are registering. You then need to email Shelley Wiederhold, Special Education Department Chair at Oakton High School, with information about what you are requesting as well as with a signed Consent to Release Information. Details on the ACT accommodations process can be found on their website. 

 

Any questions regarding accommodations should be directed to Shelley Wiederhold at [email protected].  

 

Test Preparations 

ACT and SAT test prep classes offered by Adult and Community Education. The test-prep and study skills courses offered are listed at this link from the Adult and Community Education website.  PSAT  For practice tests visit http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/prep.html To understand PSAT scores, look at the following links: