Record number of NUSD 10th graders take PSAT admissions test

--- Published on October 15th 2015 ---
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Call it a trial run for college and career.

Ninety-two percent of Natomas Unified 10th graders took the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude  Test free of charge this month at the campus they attend, an opportunity not available at most California school districts.

 About 1,000 students took the test Oct. 14, comprising the largest percentage of test-takers since NUSD began offering the PSAT to 10th graders three years ago. The test was given during the school day to avoid any work, family or other scheduling conflicts for students.

“I’m taking the test because I want to get into a good college,” said McKayla, 15. “It will help me prepare for the actual SAT.”

Eniyah, 15, already has a college in mind, San Diego State. Taking the PSAT is part of her long-term plan to get admitted there.

Testing was done Oct. 14 at Leroy Greene Academy and at Inderkum and Natomas high schools. The latter also hosted a Discovery High School sophomore for the nearly three-hour PSAT.

College Board statistics show that NUSD was one of only 41 California school districts that offered 10th graders the free taste of a college admissions test in 2014, the most recent year for which data is available.

PSAT scores in reading, writing, language arts and math can help students pinpoint learning gaps they need to fill before taking the next step in testing as high school juniors, the SAT, which can qualify them for scholarships or college admission.

PSAT results also can be used to identify what Advanced Placement courses a 10th grader is likely to be successful in, thus enhancing opportunities to earn college credits in high school.

“I want to take (the PSAT) because I want to see how hard the actual SAT is and where I place,” said Jasmine, 16.

McKayla said she is grateful to NUSD, because she has a friend in another school district who is skipping the PSAT because her family would be required to pay the tab – about $15 – and can’t easily afford it.

PSAT scores will show test-takers where they rank among others who took the test this year. Schools also will learn how their participating sophomores ranked, as a class, both statewide and nationwide.