School Day PSAT/SAT

PSAT & SAT Score Report Dates:

-Both PSAT & SAT scores will be available beginning October 24.

Students can access their scores by logging into their College Board account. Students who do not currently have a College Board account will need to create one to view scores.  Students should use a personal email address, not their fcpsschools.net email for their College Board accounts, as FCPS email may send College Board emails to spam.

_____________________________________________

October 9th FAQs

In this FAQ, you will find FAQs about the School Day PSAT/SAT that is scheduled on Wednesday, October 9th.  Each section outlines plans for the day by grade level.

General Testing FAQs

Q.  What should my student bring to school on October 9th? Please note: We do not have provide calculators to loan out to students.

  • FCPS issued Chromebook & charger 
  • Two or more No. 2 pencils- not mechanical
  • Graphing Calculator
  • Water and snacks. Snacks may be consumed during breaks. We request that snacks are carried in a clear Ziplock bag.

Q. What is prohibited from testing?

  • You are not permitted to bring any electronic “smart” device such as a cell phone or wearable technology like a Smart Watch or Fitbit. Please leave these items in your car/home.

Q. Is food permitted?

  • Fairfax County will be providing a grab and go breakfast and lunch options.  Snacks are allowed to be eaten during scheduled breaks. 

Q. Who is testing on October 9th?

  • Seniors who opted in will take the SAT on October 9. Tenth and eleventh graders will take the PSAT.  Ninth graders will stay home on October 9 as well as seniors who didn't opt in to take the SAT. Scroll down for more details by grade level. 

Q.  I have a question that is not listed here– who should I contact?

Below you will find FAQs about the plans for each grade level on October 9th.

School Day SAT (12th Grade Only)

Q. Do all 12th graders take the SAT on October 9th

  • Only 12th graders who completed the Intent to Participate form by September 4th will be eligible to participate in the October 9th SAT.  Seniors who completed the form received a confirmation email at their fcpsschools.net address.  Students who did not complete the form to opt into the SAT test will have an unscheduled day on October 9th to participate in civic engagement or college planning and visits.

Q. When/where is the SAT?

  • The SAT will be given on October 9th at McLean during the school day. Students will report to testing rooms at 8:10 am.  Students will be notified of their testing location by email (fcpsschools.net accounts) one week prior to the exam.  Students can also ask teachers for test location information.   There will be a 2 hour early release on October 9h. 

Q.  How long is the test?  What is the schedule for the day?

  • The SAT is approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes long.  Students will stay in their testing locations until they are released for lunch.  There will be a 2 hour early release on October 9th. 

Q. Is there a fee to participate in the School Day SAT?

  • This year, FCPS will pay the fee for 12th graders who opted into the School Day SAT by the September 4th deadline. 

Q. How will my student get a score report? When will scores be released?

  • Visit sat.org/scores for more information on interpreting SAT scores and sending them to colleges. Students must have a College Board account. Students should be careful to make sure the name and information on their College Board account is the same as what they write in their test booklet on testing day. Students should use a personal email address, not their fcpsschools.net email for their College Board accounts. The College Board notes that scores will be released to students to most students by October 24th.

Q.  What should my student bring to school on SAT School Day? 

  • Students will need their FCPS issued Chromebook and charger, (wood) Number 2 pencils, eraser, and a College Board approved graphing calculator for the SAT.  MHS will not provide calculators on test day. It is also recommended that students bring a snack to eat during breaks.  A grab-and-go lunch will be provided in the cafeteria at 12:20. For more guidelines on what is permitted in the testing room, the College Board has created a Test Day Checklist: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/taking-the-test/test-day-checklis

Q. How can my student prepare for the SAT?

 What is the SAT pre-survey? Can a student opt-out?

  • Pre-survey questions are designed by the College Board to gather information to help connect students with colleges and scholarship opportunities. Parents and guardians my choose to opt out of having students complete the survey.  Parents will need to notify the school Assessment Coach, Elly Donlen ([email protected]) via email by September 20th. Please include the student’s full legal name and FCPS student ID number, along with the request to opt out. You may view the pre-survey questions and access further information about this option on the SAT and PSAT Pre-Survey Opt-Out Policy webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/node/36639.  If you opt-out, please be sure to let your student know that they will not complete the pre-survey on October 9th.

Q. How can my student apply for testing accommodations for the SAT?

  • College Board’s deadline for SAT accommodation requests is August 5. Any student who has College Board approved accommodations will receive the appropriate accommodations on test day.  Please be aware that students with an extended time accommodation will finish testing after the buses depart for dismissal and will receive more information about test timing and transportation in late September/early October.  For questions about the College Board accommodation request process, please contact Rob Bouchard for students with IEPs (@email) and Bethany Davis for students with 504s (@email).

PSAT (10th and 11th Grade Only)

In Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and across the United States, students in grades 10 and 11 will take a Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) on October 9, 2024. FCPS will provide the PSAT/NMSQT to tenth and eleventh graders without cost. Only students in grade 11 are eligible to compete for the National Merit Scholarship; however, taking the PSAT/NMSQT in grade 10 provides students with practice for the PSAT in 11th grade and for the SAT.

Q. What test will my 10th or 11th grader take?

  • All 10th and 11th Graders will take the PSAT (Preliminary SAT/NMSQT (National Merit Qualifying Test).  The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test designed to promote college readiness while preparing students for college entrance assessments. It measures evidence-based reading, writing and language, and mathematics with a focus on reasoning skills, knowledge, and comprehension. These are all skills that are important for college and career readiness. The PSAT/NMSQT is created and managed by the College Board, the same organization responsible for SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) tests.

Q. How will taking the PSAT help my student?

  • Not only does the PSAT offer students practice before taking the SAT, College Board’s online PSAT score reports also provide valuable feedback to help students prepare more efficiently for the SAT.  For example, incorrect answers are linked to Khan Academy tutorials that offer detailed explanations for each question and targeted free SAT practice.  Additionally, 11th grade students may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship program.  Details on this scholarship can be found at http://www.nationalmerit.org. Students who take the PSAT are also eligible to sign up for the College Board Student Search Program, which connects students with colleges and recognition programs. More information can be found here https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scholarships-and-recognition/recognition-programs.

Q. When/where is the PSAT?

  • The PSAT will be given on October 9th at McLean during the school day, beginning at 8:10.  Students will be notified of their testing location by email (fcpsschools.net accounts) one week prior to the exam.  Students can also ask teachers for test location information.  Students will not attend their regular classes on October 9th but will report to their testing location by 8:10.

Q.  How long is the test?  What is the schedule for the day?

  • The PSAT is approximately 2 hours, 14 minutes long.  Students will report to their testing locations by 8:10. After the test, students will have time to pick up a grab and go lunch from the cafeteria.  There will be a 2 hour early release on October 9th. 

Q. How can my student prepare for the PSAT?

Q. How can my student apply for testing accommodations for the PSAT?

  • College Board’s deadline for PSAT accommodation requests is August 5th.  Any student who has College Board approved accommodations will receive the appropriate accommodations on test day.  Please be aware that students with an extended time accommodation will finish testing after the buses depart for dismissal and will receive more information about test timing and transportation in late September/early October.  For questions about the College Board accommodation request process, please contact Rob Bouchard for students with IEPs (@email) and Bethany Davis for students with 504s (@email).

Q. When will my student receive PSAT scores?  

  • Scores for the PSAT/NMSQT will be available online to students through their free College Board accounts on November 14th.   Students who do not currently have a College Board account will need to create one to view scores.  Students should use a personal email address, not their fcpsschools.net email for their College Board accounts, as FCPS email may send College Board emails to spam.

Q.  What is the PSAT/SAT pre-survey? Can a student opt-out?

  • Pre-survey questions are designed by the College Board to gather information to help connect students with colleges and scholarship opportunities. Parents and guardians my choose to opt out of having students complete the survey.  Parents will need to notify the school Assessment Coach, Elly Donlen ([email protected]) via email by September 20th. Please include the student’s full legal name and FCPS student ID number, along with the request to opt out. You may view the pre-survey questions and access further information about this option on the SAT and PSAT Pre-Survey Opt-Out Policy webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/node/36639.  If you opt-out, please be sure to let your student know that they will not complete the pre-survey on October 9th.

Q.  What should my student bring to school on PSAT Day? 

  • Students will need their FCPS issued Chrome and  charger, (wood) Number 2 pencils, erasers, and a graphing calculator for the PSAT.  MHS will not provide calculators on test day. It is also recommended that students bring a snack to eat during breaks.  A grab-and-go lunch will be provided in the cafeteria after testing ends.  

Stay home (9th Grade Only)

Q.  What will 9th graders do on October 9th?

  • 9th grade students will NOT report to the school building in person on October 9th. FCPS will not be taking attendance this day for 9th graders. Teachers are not expected to provide asynchronous work for students to complete on October 9th. However, students may have work previously assigned by their teachers to complete that is due October 10th or later.