PSAT Administration

Dear Sophomore Parents and Students:

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) will be given at Briarcliff High School on Wednesday, October 10th from 7:45am-12:00pm. The PSAT is a preliminary or practice for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), which most students take in the spring of their junior year. The PSAT is also the competitive measure for the College Board National Merit Scholarship program, only applicable to juniors.

By taking the PSAT as a sophomore, students gain experience and exposure to the test format prior to their junior year testing date. Testing results are helpful in yielding areas in which the students may wish to strengthen over the course of the year.

Although the current trend indicates that many sophomores are electing to take the PSAT each year, it is important to consider the following:

· If a low score on the PSAT in sophomore year raises anxiety at the junior year testing and subsequently on the SAT, then clearly, taking the PSAT as a sophomore may be unwise.

· Students having completed only one year of high school Math (Algebra 1 CC) will

be at a disadvantage. Sophomores currently enrolled in Geometry CC are welcome to take the test, with the caveat that they may not have enough exposure to all math topics which will appear on the PSAT. Thus, it may be in their best interests to not sit for the test.

Therefore, if a sophomore is planning to take the PSAT, they must be at the high school by 7:45am prepared with two #2 pencils and a calculator with fresh batteries.

To register for the test, a student must bring a check in the amount of $20.00 payable to Briarcliff UFSD in an envelope with their name on it to the HS Main Office; Attention

Ms. Rutledge. Upon receipt of your registration fee, a PSAT Student Bulletin will be given to your son/daughter. Registration must be completed no later than Friday,

September 28, 2018.

For those sophomores not taking the PSAT, attendance on Wednesday, October 10th is expected. Students will report to the auditorium upon arrival at 7:45am. Activities designed for sophomores have been planned until 12:00pm dismissal. Please be advised that the cafeteria will not be serving lunch.

Students will arrive at BHS on their regular Briarcliff/Pocantico morning bus. Upon completion of the exam or the ½ day Activities Program, students may take either a Briarcliff/Pocantico 12:15pm bus or a Briarcliff/Pocantico 2:25pm bus departure home. The Briarcliff/Pocantico late bus will leave BHS at 3:45pm.

Note:

· There will be no afterschool clubs on Wednesday, October 10th.

· Athletic practices and competitions will take place on Wednesday, October 10th as scheduled.

If you have any questions regarding the PSAT Administration, please contact your child's counselor:

Michael Muranelli 488-8227

mmuranelli@briarcliffschools.org

Nathan Heltzel 488-8229

nheltzel@briarcliffschools.org

Erin Ryan 488-8226

eryan@briarcliffschools.org

Meredith Safer 488-8228

msafer@briarcliffschools.org

Sincerely,
Debora French, Principal Daniel Murphy, Assistant Principal
dfrench@briarcliffschools.org dmurphy@briarcliffschools.org