This advanced level course aims to equip students in grades 8-10 with the skills and strategies needed to excel in the PSAT, boosting confidence and increasing chances for National Merit recognition and scholarships.
Learning Objectives
To prepare students thoroughly for the PSAT by enhancing their skills and strategies for National Merit success.
Chapters
Focus on improving grammar, vocabulary, and editing skills for the Writing and Language section of the PSAT.
Goal:To develop advanced writing and language skills necessary for the PSAT.
Understand how to analyze the structure of texts for logical flow and coherence.
Practice identifying and correcting common writing errors.
Learn to construct and evaluate effective arguments in written form.
Master the rules of grammar and usage tested on the PSAT.
Learn to identify and improve sentence structure and style.
Understand the correct use of punctuation and other mechanics in writing.
Develop skills in choosing precise and effective language for clarity and impact.
Learn techniques for making writing clear and concise.
Develop advanced mathematical reasoning skills to tackle the Math section of the PSAT.
Goal:To improve students' mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Master solving and simplifying algebraic expressions and equations.
Learn about functions, their properties, and how to interpret their graphs.
Develop skills in geometry, focusing on shapes, sizes, and properties of figures.
Understand basic statistical and probability concepts and how they are tested on the PSAT.
Learn strategies for solving complex problems and analyzing data.
Explore trigonometry concepts that may appear on the PSAT.
Practice translating word problems into mathematical expressions and solving them.
Develop logical reasoning skills to approach mathematical problems strategically.
Learn strategic approaches to preparing for the PSAT, including study planning and resource utilization.
Goal:To equip students with effective preparation strategies for the PSAT.
Develop a personalized study plan tailored to individual strengths and weaknesses.
Identify and use various study resources, including books, online tools, and tutoring.
Learn to set achievable goals for PSAT preparation based on current skill levels.
Monitor progress and make necessary adjustments to study plans for continuous improvement.
Explore the benefits of studying with peers and forming study groups.
Learn the importance of balancing study time with relaxation and leisure.
Understand the role of mock tests in preparation and how to conduct self-assessments.
Learn how to seek constructive feedback from teachers and mentors.
Focus on techniques to increase confidence and reduce anxiety related to the PSAT.
Goal:To help students feel more confident and less anxious about the PSAT.
Learn strategies to cultivate a positive attitude towards test-taking.
Practice visualization exercises to mentally prepare for the PSAT.
Learn breathing exercises and relaxation techniques to calm nerves.
Explore various strategies for managing stress leading up to and during the test.
Learn how to prepare mentally and physically for test day to boost confidence.
Identify and combat negative self-talk that can undermine confidence.
Create a routine for test day to ensure peak performance and confidence.
Learn the importance of celebrating progress and small achievements during preparation.
Explore strategies for applying to scholarships, including those related to National Merit recognition.
Goal:To equip students with the knowledge and skills to successfully apply for scholarships.
Learn about the National Merit Scholarship Program and qualification criteria.
Explore different scholarship opportunities and how to find them.
Develop skills in writing compelling scholarship essays.
Learn how to request and secure strong letters of recommendation.
Gain insights into common scholarship interview questions and how to answer them.
Create a resume that highlights achievements relevant to scholarship criteria.
Learn how to interpret and compare different financial aid packages.
Develop strategies for organizing and managing scholarship application deadlines.
Consolidate learning through comprehensive reviews and practice tests tailored to the PSAT.
Goal:To reinforce learning and assess readiness through practice tests.
Review all major concepts covered in the course to reinforce learning.
Take full-length timed practice tests to simulate the PSAT experience.
Learn how to review and analyze results of practice tests to identify areas for improvement.
Focus on practicing areas where performance was weak in practice tests.
Re-examine topics that were challenging during the course for better understanding.
Develop strategies for approaching practice tests effectively.
Practice under conditions that simulate the actual PSAT test day environment.
Receive feedback on practice tests and develop plans for further improvement.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the PSAT format, including sections, question types, and scoring.
Goal:To familiarize students with the PSAT structure to reduce test anxiety and improve performance.
Explore advanced test-taking strategies specific to the PSAT.
An overview of each section of the PSAT, including Reading, Writing and Language, and Math.
Learn about the different types of questions and how they are formatted on the PSAT.
Understand how the PSAT is scored and what scores mean for National Merit qualification.
Learn strategies to effectively manage time across different PSAT sections.
Identify common mistakes and challenges students face during the PSAT and how to overcome them.
Understand the role of practice tests in PSAT preparation and how to use them effectively.
Learn techniques to manage and reduce anxiety before and during the PSAT.
Develop advanced skills for tackling the Reading section of the PSAT, focusing on comprehension and analysis.
Goal:To improve students' reading comprehension and analytical skills for the PSAT.
Develop skills in making inferences and deductions from reading passages.
Learn how to compare and contrast different arguments presented in passages.
Identify and understand the author's tone and purpose in various passages.
Strategies for understanding and interpreting complex and dense texts.
Learn techniques for selecting the best answers to reading questions.
Learn techniques for analyzing and understanding complex passages.
Master the skill of identifying main ideas and themes in PSAT reading passages.
Build skills in understanding vocabulary based on context within passages.
Realtime audio conversation for interactive session.
Interactive realtime chat session.
Live whiteboard explanation and collaboration.
Real-time wide variety of examples.
Continuous assessment and feedback.
Progress monitoring and record progress journey.
Broadcast session with larger audience for free.
Attend audience queries and provide responses.