PSAT to be administered during school day
This year students will take the PSAT during the school day, on Wednesday, October 10. Previously held on Saturday and costing $25, the PSAT is now offered to juniors for free. The test is open to all students, and school will be dismissed at 12:05.
The decision to hold the test during the school day was made by the district, the College Board said. “The College Board provides a few date options, but it’s the school or district that decides whether the PSAT will be administered on a Wednesday or Saturday,” said Jaslee Carayol, College Board Associate Director of Media Relations. While the school district opted for the change, they were left with few other choices.
“The College Board decided it by limiting our options,” said Bennett Wutkee, assistant principal. “They said if you do it on a Saturday, we’re not going to give you access to those things that actually benefit the students, including keeping your test booklet. So, all the high schools in the district decided that it needs to be during the week so the students get the benefit of the exam,” said Wutkee.
The PSAT can be beneficial to students who plan on attending college. “The results of the PSAT will provide their strengths and weaknesses, which will allow students to focus their studies for the SAT,” said Lesley Nedwick, counselor. “The PSAT reflects what students are learning in the classroom, measures the skills and knowledge necessary for postsecondary success, and is an important step toward college,” Carayol said.
Wutkee emphasized the test’s importance. “If you’re planning on going to a four-year school, you definitely want to consider taking the PSAT as way to get a little bit more experience,” Wutkee said. Underclassmen can benefit from taking the PSAT for practice, while juniors can qualify for scholarships. “Juniors can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship,” said Nedwick. “(The) National Merit Scholarship provides $2,500 towards the student’s freshman year of college.”
Students taking the PSAT will not miss any classroom instruction. “All teachers are aware of the testing schedule and will not go over any new material,” Nedwick said. The weekday test date ensures more students can take the test. “On a Saturday, there are conflicts with students and their extracurricular activities, so a handful of students cannot participate,” Wutkee said. “During the school day it is beneficial because the kids are already going to be here.” Wednesday testing also replicates a collegiate environment. “Administering the test during the school day fosters a college-going culture, especially among first-generation college-bound students and students who may otherwise face barriers to standard Saturday administration,” Carayol said.
Despite the benefits, the change presents some drawbacks. “It’s really hard for teachers to have to stop what they’re doing so that there’s a day for kids to take the test, and it’s even harder at our school because of the block schedule and the rotators,” Wutkee said. “For kids it’s great, but for teachers it’s very challenging to give up a full day of instruction. (Proctoring is) part of their regular work day so they don’t get additional compensation,” Wutkee said.
Ultimately, whether it’s Wednesday or Saturday, the goal of the test is helping students succeed. “We’ve all got a vested interest in our students doing well, but at the end of the day we just want kids to be able to do their best so that they can have the best opportunities available for them,” Wutkee said.