WVHS offering digital PSAT/NMSQT test in October, registration is open

Dear parents/guardians of WVHS students in grades 10 and 11,

Your student has the opportunity to take the Digital PSAT/NMSQT at WVHS on Saturday, October 26, 2024.

We believe in creating as many opportunities as possible for our students to prepare for their future, which is why we offer the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT ) to our tenth and eleventh grade students. Whether your student is thinking about attending a two or four-year college, going straight into the workforce, or isn’t sure of their post-high school path yet, the PSAT/NMSQT can help them see their path more clearly. Results from the PSAT/NMSQT provide insights into a student’s academic strengths, along with areas they can work on while in high school.  

Taking the PSAT/NMSQT can also help students: 

• enter the National Merit Scholarship Program if they meet program requirements specified in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide.
• see where they are and set a target for where they want to be. 
• practice and prepare for the SAT. 
• plan and pay for college. 
• connect to their future plans. 

Your student will be taking this exam using their own school-issued device. Students will use the Bluebook™ application, which is part of the CollegeBoard testing platform. To prepare for the digital exam, your student must register by COMPLETING THIS FORM by September 13th, 2024. This is the deadline set by the CollegeBoard to ensure all exams are properly delivered to their school-issued device.  

Complete the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT Registration Form.

You can also refer to this important resource called Understanding PSAT/NMSQT scores to help you and your student interpret score reports and find information on the next steps. If you or your student have any questions, please contact your student’s WVHS counselor. In the meantime, please review the following Frequently Asked Questions about the PSA/NMSQT. 

PSAT/NMSQT DIGITAL FAQ’s

1. What is the PSAT/NMSQT?
   It is a standardized test that helps students prepare for the SAT.  It measures the knowledge and skills in reading, writing, and math—the same knowledge and skills your child needs to succeed in college and career.  It takes approximately two hours and 45 minutes to complete (shorter than the paper version).  The PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is the only test to find eligible juniors scholarship providers.
2. How can my child study for the PSAT/NMSQT?
   Khan Academy has partnered with the CollegeBoard to provide free, comprehensive practice tests on their website and in the 2024 Fall Student Guide (coming soon- digitally).
3. How will students test digitally for the PSAT/NMSQT?
   Students will use Bluebook, the College Board testing app to take the test on their school-managed Chromebooks. The Bluebook app is uploaded to the school-managed Chromebook.
4. Can my child become familiar with the Bluebook app prior to the test date?
   Yes, the WVHS Guidance Department will be offering information on how to become familiar with the Bluebook app during your child’s ELA class towards the end of September. But your student has access to become familiar with the app over the summer months.
5. What are some features that are different from paper testing to digital?
   The Bluebook app makes available some of following tools: Testing Timer (timer will let you know how much time is remaining), calculator (the app has a built-in calculator), reference sheet (commonly used formulas will appear on all tests with math questions) and Zoom (use keyboard shortcuts to get closer look at any part of a question), just to name a few.
6. What happens if students lose network connectivity during testing?
   The students can continue the test when connectivity restores without losing time.
7. My child has approved testing accommodations by the CollegeBoard. Will there be a change to his/her accommodations?
   Some accommodations are administered differently on digital tests than on paper tests.  If you would like an interpretation of how common testing accommodations will work for digital tests, please contact your student’s counselor or view this chart about using accommodations on digital tests.
8. When can my child expect their scores?  How can my child access their scores?
   Your student will provide a non-Warwick student email on their answer sheet on test day. They will receive an email notifying when the scores are available; typically the end of November.