PSAT

The PSAT is scheduled for Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Accommodation request forms for the PSAT for 10th and 11th graders are due by Friday, Aug 18 at 4pm

Who can take it and how much does it cost?

The PSAT is given free to all sophomores and juniors; freshmen take the PSAT 8/9.  You do not need to sign up.  This test is not available to seniors.

How do I prepare?

We recommend that students prepare for the PSAT by visiting here.  Offical PSAT prep is through Khan Academy.  

Can home-school students take it?

Home-schooled students eligible to attend school in our district may also register and test. Please contact the testing coordinator at 806-677-2768 for more information.

About the PSAT

The PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary SAT Test / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It is now digital and given online.  The scholarship is entered junior year.  It is used as a practice and preparation for the SAT and ACT tests. Students who take the PSAT test typically perform better on the SAT.

It is offered through Canyon High in October each year.

It focuses on the skills and knowledge measuring:

• What you learn in high school.
• What you need to succeed in college.

The PSAT/NMSQT measures reading, writing and math skills developed over many years in and out of school. It does not ask for facts from literature, history, or science, or a recall of math formulas, because it measures your reasoning and critical thinking skills. You don’t have to discover secret tricks or cram the night before. There is no penalty for guessing.

The test length is about 2 hours, 14 minutes.

What do students need to bring on test day? 

Students need to bring their charged Chromebook or personal Windows laptop (no personal Chromebooks), a pencil, and a calculator.  Books, earbuds or headphones, mobile phones, and smartwatches are prohibited in the testing room. Students may keep a snack and drink in their backpacks for the break. 

What are the Benefits of Taking the PSAT/NMSQT®?

• Get free, personalized, and focused practice through Khan Academy®
• Start getting ready for college with college and career planning tools
• Enter the National Merit® Scholarship Program
• See which AP® courses you might be ready for
• Get admission and financial aid information from colleges
• Enter National Recognition Programs granting students academic honors that can be included on college applications

PSAT Resources

• College Board official site
• See “Prepare for College” in LearningExpress

SAT at CHS

The SAT will be given for free to juniors during the school day on Wednesday, March 6th!  As part of our district initiative to support all students as they prepare for life after high school, CISD is providing the SAT test at no cost.

Accommodation requests are due by Dec 15 (only for students receiving 504 or special education services).  Students who had accommodations for the PSAT receive the same accommodations for the SAT.  

What is the SAT?

The SAT is a national college admissions exam accepted by most all 4-year universities in the US.  Either the ACT or SAT is traditionally required to attend 4-year schools as a freshman, plus many scholarships consider SAT scores.  The test covers Critical Reading, Math, and Writing.  For more information about the SAT see www.sat.org. 

On test day

• Report to the small gym or your classroom by 8:15. Do not be late.  Room assignments will be posted in the commons.
• Bring your charged Chromebook.  We will supply pencils and calculators.
• Do NOT bring phones, smartwatches, fitness bands, or other electronic devices. Leave them in your car.
• You will have a short break.  You may bring a snack and leave it in your backpack until the break.

How long will the test take?

The test will be in the morning and students will be back in class after lunch.  

Reading and Writing is 64 minutes, the Math section is 70 minutes. 

How is this different than a regular SAT?

This is the regular SAT.  It’s just at school and is free. 

How do I prepare for the test? 

Practice will be provided during homeroom. 

Official practice is provided through the College Board and Khan Academy.  

AP Testing 2024

• Biology: May 16, noon
• Calculus: May 13, morning
• Chemistry: May 6, noon
• Computer Science A: May 8, noon
• English Language & Composition: May 14, morning
• English Literature & Composition: May 8, morning
• Physics 1: May 17, morning
• Physics 2: May 17, noon
• Spanish Language & Culture: May 16, morning
• Statistics: May 7, noon

Texas Success Initiative (TSI) 2.0 Assessment

TSI Test Prep Resources

• The Official TSI Study App FREE Practice tests on computer, tablet, or smartphone. Also sample questions and sample essays.  (Accuplacer is TSI)
• Retest: TSIA2 Learning Resources / Learning Locator (requires access code from TSIA2 score report)
• Ask to be set up with TSI prep on Edgenuity
• Reviews, practices tests, & videos at Austin Community College
• Learning Express
• Virtual Math lab @ WT (Accuplacer is TSI)
• WritePlacer Sample Essays

TSI tutoring at AC is available to High School students at no cost

Success Center
www.actx.edu/successcenter
345-5542
Ware, Room 300, Washington Campus
8:30am – 8:30pm Monday – Thursday, 8:30-12:00 Fridays
Individual tutoring for Reading, Writing, & Math TSI
Free, no appointment needed

What is TSI?

Informational Brochure

The TSI tests are part of the Texas Success Initiative, a state-legislated program designed to improve student success in college. There are two components of the program. The first is the assessment of students’ basic skills in English language arts & reading and mathematics. The second is developmental instruction to strengthen academic skills that need improvement. So if students do not score in the college-ready level range on one part of the assessment, High Schools are now required to offer them remediation to help them become prepared for college-level course work.

Colleges use the TSI scores in a similar way: to make sure students can handle Freshman classes. If not, students are placed in a class that matches their skill level. Remediation in college, however, usually means taking and paying for class that is not going to count towards a degree. With the high price of tuition, it is understandable why the state wants students to get fully college ready while still in High School.

TSI 2.0 began on Jan 11, 2021.  If students do not meet the college ready standard, they are given a second diagnostic exam.  This exam gives students a second change to meet the college ready standard.  

• ELAR Exam 30 questions +  Essay (350-600 words) / ELAR Diagnostic 48 questions.
  • Reading – literary text analysis and informational text analysis and synthesis
  • Writing – essay revision and editing, sentence revision, editing, and completion   
• Mathematics exam 30 questions / Math Diagnostic 48 questions
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Algebraic Reasoning
  • Geometric and Spatial Reasoning
  • Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning

College Bound Students.  Most colleges will not allow students to register or attend freshman orientation until they have attempted both TSI tests (or have shown college readiness through ACT/SAT/dual credit in all areas).  Be sure and take advantage of free TSI testing while in high school.

Dual Credit Students.  Students must also demonstrate they can handle college level coursework before taking a dual credit class.  This may be shown using a TSI test, or ACT/SAT, PSAT, or an EOC test.  The TSI tests needed for Dual Credit are the mathematics test for math courses and the English (ELAR) test for all others.  

College ready scores

Interpreting your score

You are exempt from TSI testing with these ACT or SAT scores.

You may also show college-readiness for dual credit only with a STAAR EOC score or PSAT score.

College freshman also demonstrate college-readiness by completing a dual credit class, even if they did not have to TSI.  You will have to send your AC transcript to your university.

• TSI Score Report – get your TSI score report

STAAR Testing

To see your student’s scores, go to texasassesment.gov

Fall Retesting Dec 2023

• Dec 11 English I & Biology
• Dec 12 Algebra I & US History
• Dec 13 English II

Spring Testing 2024

• Apr 16 English I
• Apr 18 English II 
• April 23 US History 
• April 24  Biology 
• May 1 Algebra I

Summer Retesting 2024

• June 18 English I
• June 19 Algebra I & US History
• June 20 English II & Biology