Eduardo Calderon
Staff Writer
As the PSAT testing dates approaches, Johnson is looking to aid students in raising their scores with a PSAT blitz to be held Saturday at school.
“The PSAT Blitz is open to all juniors who performed exceptionally well on previous PSAT administrations,” AP Hensley Cone said, “[On Saturday] the PSAT Blitz will be held throughout the building, in teacher’s classrooms.”
Earlier this week students took a diagnostic pre test.
Following Saturday’s training session another practice test will be administered on Tuesday, September 28 and Wednesday, September 29. Each day one session will begin at 7:30 am and another at 2:00 pm each day.
“The post test will be held in the multi-purpose room in the library,” Cone said.
Like any kind of testing, the PSAT causes some anxiety for students who are struggling in a particular subject.
“Probably the math part causes the most trouble,” ROBI-Z counselor Kathyrn Hancock said, “You also need a good vocabulary.”
Though some students find certain parts unappleaing, others simply dislike the test altogether.
“Everything felt hard about the PSAT,” sophomore Bryan Ortiz said, “[The PSAT] makes the SAT seem harder than it really is.”
As difficult as the PSAT may seem, it presents huge advantages for focused students.
“It’s good practice for the SAT. After scores are returned, College Board helps students study more for the SAT, and if you are a senior it could get you scholarship money,” Hancock said.
There is only one reminder for students out there taking the PSAT test.
“It’s not like a pass-fail; if they look at it like that, they will become discouraged,” Hancock said. “It’s important information on how to improve your work; it shows your positive areas, and areas that need improvement.”
The PSAT is scheduled to begin October 13.