Tess in the Burbs Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Short story is I have contacted the school and district multiple times to get my son signed up for the PSAT. He's still not signed up. He's 10th grade, not in a position to make NMST in 11th...do I even bother at this point? Basically the person who orders tests quit. New person is now assigned the job. I've been advised to wait for them to call me before going in with the appropriate form. I was called and told it will be free. But no one has called me back. DS doesn't want to take it. At this point do I just let it go and skip the PSAT since he won't be eligible for NMST? I base this off his practice PSAT efforts at home. And past standardized testing. It will be a huge anxiety day since he has to show up on the test day at 7:20 for testing. Having never set foot in the building. Do I keep calling to make this happen? Or just let it go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Go to Hazen to their guidance office. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted September 22, 2017 Author Share Posted September 22, 2017 Jean, Hazen is the issue. The VP quit the week before school started. District guy said no one had the job yet. This week he said they gave the job to someone but they don't know how to do it yet. They hope to order tests soon. They don't want me showing up with a form b/c new person won't know what to do with it. Told me he would have to do the questionnaire on the test day, not prior. Still no word when the booklet to practice will be available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvonne Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 It will be a huge anxiety day since he has to show up on the test day at 7:20 for testing. Having never set foot in the building. Better for a PSAT that doesn't count and a score that doesn't get sent anywhere than on the regular SAT or ACT date. I'd have him do it, if it's not too much headache for you. The only reason I wouldn't do it is if he's going to be demoralized by the results. I'd go in and meet the guy ordering the tests. It can be very, very helpful to have met a school's test coordinator bec. there will be more tests down the road. I did this at the school where my kids would take most of their tests back when my kids did their first standardized test. The test coordinator knows me by name now and is always super helpful. (The school administration, not so much, but at least I can get my kids signed up fairly easily!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 We signed up to test at the guidance office. We just did a practice test from Barnes and Noble. The day of the test we did the final paperwork This was a few years ago. . Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 If he is not likely to make National Merit, I would not bother with the PSAT. You can prep for the SAT or ACT just fine without. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachermom2834 Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 I would not jump through hoops for the PSAT unless there was a chance of National Merit. First ds took it in 10th and I knew from that he would be no where close so I didn't make him take it in 11th when he had another activity conflicting. Next ds had no chance at NM and I wouldn't have thought it worth even a phone call to try to find him a spot to take it. Next kid is a stronger student. If practice tests indicate he is close I will have to find some place for him to take it. In my opinion, there is no reason to have a kid take the PSAT (if it is not convenient) if they do not have a chance at NM. There are other tests to take and ways to prep. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 If you think he might be in the running for National Merit next year, then I'd take it this year for the experience. Otherwise I'd only consider it if you think he needs the testing practice before ACT/SAT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirabillis Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 it took us about 5 schools before we found a place to test. it was harder for us to find a spot to test for PSAT than AP exams (likely b/c PSATs are midweek during school day). we found a local private christian school welcomed us. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 One of mine was in the running for National Merit, and we had no problems getting him signed up. He did one as practice, and then with the one that counts, he missed it by two points. We live in a high-score state. But we were happy with Commended. I was able to use the PSAT as his annual homeschool testing those two years, so it was win-win. My second one struggled mightily with math, and we didn't bother. Her initial math SAT was 200 points below the English sections, so it wasn't worth it. We had to push hard enough with math in high school, and thankfully she was able to skip remedial math in college. She has a high "A" in her college math class this semester, and that's enough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janeway Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 You might be surprised at who is in the running. I have known several qualifiers whose parents didn't expect it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 You might be surprised at who is in the running. I have known several qualifiers whose parents didn't expect it. And conversely, whose parents thought they'd be shoo-ins who didn't even get close. [if you've done a practice test, you should have an idea if your kid is close to the cut off for your state.] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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