FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GRADE LEVEL
What grade level should I be in to take this class?
Students are to take the PSAT in the fall of their 11th grade year to determine National Merit scholarship eligibility. However, you can also take the PSAT for practice purposes in earlier grades, and of course, the SAT in 11th and 12th grade. So, this class is best suited for upcoming 9th to 11th graders, but 8th graders are welcome to join as well! It helps to have taken Integrated Math I and/or Integrated Math II, but I will be going over all the math concepts on the PSAT.
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It is never too early to start preparing!
CLASS SIZE
What is the maximum number of students you will have in each class?
Classes are tentatively set at a maximum of 15-20 students. If the need should arise, I will create additional sessions to accommodate all students and will have extra hours every week for students to ask questions. I will also be available to answer questions on Google Classroom every day.
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In my experience, 15-20 students is a good class size to facilitate discussion while maintaining class productivity. Some students might ask questions that will help others!
COURSE MATERIALS
Do I need a textbook for this class?
You will not need a textbook. Students will be able to access all class material, including notes, slideshows, practice tests, and more, on Google Classroom. The class plan is created according to College Board standards. The College Board is the direct administrator of the PSAT. Practice material will also come directly from their website as well as other accredited platforms.
PSAT VS. SAT
What is the difference between the PSAT and the SAT? Why are you teaching the PSAT instead of the SAT?
The PSAT and SAT are nearly identical in content, format, and scoring, but the PSAT is slightly shorter, easier, and has less questions. Also, the SAT is a common requirement for college admissions, while the PSAT is an SAT practice test and more importantly, is the test that qualifies students to become Finalists for the National Merit Scholarship Program. This means that students who did not take the PSAT and/or score in the top percentage are not eligible for National Merit scholarships even if they get a full score on the SAT later on.
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Because many people do not know about the National Merit Program, I am teaching the PSAT to show students how they can apply for this great opportunity. Even if they do not earn National Merit, though, taking this class will still be great preparation for the SAT because the tests themselves are nearly the same (the PSAT is meant to be a practice SAT).
CLASS STRUCTURE
How is this class taught?
I will spend about 3-4 sessions on each section of the PSAT, which are Reading, Writing & Language, and Math. I use my own slides to teach the class, but they heavily follow College Board's curriculum to ensure that content is as relevant as possible (College Board is the creator of the actual PSAT/SAT exams). Students will be assigned about 1-2 hours of homework following each session, and all class materials will be posted on Google Classroom. Again, I can set up extra hours each week for students to ask questions, and I will always be available on Google Classroom or email. Additional information about the class will be covered in the first session, which is free for everyone and does not require enrollment in the full course.