Alright, tell me one more time what ds should bring to the PSAT. This one counts!

[FloridaLisa]

On our list was:
student ID
pencils
Homeschool number

Questionable:
drink or snack -- is this allowed?
calculator -- is this allowed?

Anything else?

Thanks!
Lisa

[Anne]

Yes you can bring a calculator. Here's a link to the college board page:

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about/calculator.html

Yes you can bring a snack/drink, however, you generally cannot consume them during the test itself, but you can eat during the break.

Good luck to your child!!

Anne

[Quiver0f10]

About how long is the PSAT test? Thanks :)

[Michelle in MO]

week. There are five sections, and hopefully these times are correct:

1. Critical Reading - 25 minutes (24 questions)
2. Mathematics - 25 minutes (20 questions)
3. Critical Reading - 25 minutes (24 questions)
4. Math - 25 minutes (18 questions)
5. Writing Skills - 30 minutes (39 questions)

This is from Barron's PSAT/NMSQT 2006-2007 practice book, but I assume they're formatting everything the same way the PSAT does. So, the test should last approximately 2-1/2 hours. The first math section is multiple choice; some basic information is given, such as the formulas for circumference, area of a circle, etc. The second math section has eight multiple-choice questions and 10 questions for which the student must write out the answers: little circles with numbers, decimal points, etc., are provided. My oldest found that to be the most difficult part. The Writing Skills section is essentially choosing the best wording for a sentence (i.e., the best grammar).

Bring #2 pencils (not mechanical pencils) and a good calculator. I think both older girls have the TI-83 Plus Silver Edition.

[readwithem]

Schedule 2 hours and 45 minutes
for the administration. Total testing time for the five test
sections is 2 hours and 10 minutes; students will need
an additional 35 minutes for related activities.


This is the PDF for test administrators -
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/psat-nmsqt-supervisors-manual.pdf

[readwithem]

I'm sending my dd with a sweater (she's cold natured) and a cell phone to call me when she's done :)

[Kareni]

Have her be very careful of her cell phone. If it should ring during the test, they can have her leave and her test will be discarded.

Regards,
Kareni

[Michelle in MO]

you might double-check to see if they even allow cell phones. When my oldest took the ACT, she was not allowed to have her cell phone anyone on her person. I guess cheating is so rampant that students have been able to text message answers to other students, so they've clamped down on cell phone use.

Just a precaution, but I would double-check. If necessary, she can always use the school phone to call you.

[readwithem]

Have her be very careful of her cell phone. If it should ring during the test, they can have her leave and her test will be discarded.

Regards,
Kareni

You know, I remember from last year that they collected all the cell phones. We'll ask tomorrow morning. Thanks!:001_smile:

[FloridaLisa]

Thanks ladies! I got back in late this evening and read through all the replies (as well as the PDF administrator instructions -- thanks readwiththem!).

I'll be up praying mighty early tomorrow and throughout the morning!
Lisa

[Kendall]

My boys are taking this on Saturday. I didn't see anything about mechanical pencils in the pdf. Do you know if they can be used?

[readwithem]

My boys are taking this on Saturday. I didn't see anything about mechanical pencils in the pdf. Do you know if they can be used?

I read somewhere the computer can't read the answer sheet if the answers are recorded with mechanical pencil, and will record the test as a "0" :eek:

[Kendall]

Thanks for the info. My son can learn to tolerate a regular pencil for one test:).

[Laurel-in-CA]

We were told 8:00 drop-off, done by 11:30.

DD is taking the PSAT at the local christian high school, where she will at least know some faces from church. But parking was a total zoo this morning, with a conference plus regular high school plus PSAT students coming in. I had no place to park and had to drop her off and tell her to follow a friend who was also taking it. She hasn't called, so I am guessing she got in OK. Sigh.

[Puma Mom]

Bring #2 pencils (not mechanical pencils) and a good calculator. I think both older girls have the TI-83 Plus Silver Edition.Mechanical pencils actually do work. Ds much prefers mechanical and has always used them on the PSAT/SAT/ACT tests. HB lead is equivalent to #2.

I suppose you could get a proctor that won't allow them, but ds has never had a problem. I make him take a couple of non-mechanical just in case.

[AngieW in Texas]

The problem with mechanical pencils is that videos have been posted on youtube explaining how to hide test answers in the barrel of the pencils, so now a lot of the test centers ban mechanical pencils.