PSAT Information

Digital PSAT/ NMSQT - Wednesday, October 11

On Wednesday, October 11, tenth and eleventh grade students will be taking the Digital Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) exam.

Digital PSAT Day Schedule

All FCPS high schools will operate on a two-hour early release schedule. High school academy courses and all high school shuttles will be canceled on this day.

Planning for the PSAT - What to Bring

Required Materials

Students must bring the following materials with them on the day of the exam, which are required to take the assessment.

Student ID – a method of identification including a picture. Examples include:
- - School Picture ID- your school ID (this year or last year’s) is acceptable
  - Driver’s License with Picture
  - Passport
Your fully-charged FCPS Chromebook/ laptop with charger – this should be the device you used to complete your Digital Readiness check in Advisory during the end of September
Writing utensils – even though the test is digital, you will be given scratch paper should you want to work out any problems.
Emergency contact information - this is simply a piece of paper with your name and a contact phone number in case of emergency (since many of us don’t have phone numbers memorized in this technological era anymore)

Permitted Materials

Students are permitted to bring the following materials.

Approved calculator - The digital testing platform has a built-in desmos graphing calculator, so you do not need to bring a hand-held calculator. However, you may bring one if you wish. Further details regarding approved calculators can be found here.
Food/water - May be taken into the exam room but must remain underneath the desk while the exam is underway and may be accessed outside of the testing room only during breaks, unless a specific accommodation allows otherwise

Prohibited Materials

Students are prohibited to use the following materials in the testing room and during breaks.

Use of electronic devices is prohibited from the time the student is admitted to the building until they are dismissed at the end of the test, including break times. Specifically:
- Students may not handle or access a cell phone or electronic device at any time in the testing room or during break times. This includes smart watches, fitness bands, and any other devices with recording, internet, or communication capabilities.
- All devices, including cell phones and wearable devices, must be turned off and placed out of sight

More information regarding the PSAT/ NMSQT can be found in the PSAT/ NMSQT Guide.

Breakfast will be available in the cafeteria before the test like on standard school days.

Once you are dismissed, grab and go lunch will be available for purchase and busses will be running all normal routes at 12:45 PM.

Please make sure you are in your test room no later than 8:10 AM on Wednesday, October 11.

If you have any further questions, please contact Mr. Bird at @email or at 703-446-1643.

PSAT Pre-Survey

Prior to test day, students will complete a PSAT digital readiness check during an advisory lesson at school. During the PSAT digital readiness check, students will see a voluntary pre-survey that asks questions about a variety of topics. You may opt out of this pre-survey for your student. Additional information about the content of the PSAT pre-survey and how to opt out can be found on the SAT and PSAT Pre-Survey Opt-Out Policy webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/node/36639.

If you choose to opt your student out of the pre-survey, please notify Chris Bird (@email) by Friday, September 22, 2023, and include your student’s full legal name and FCPS ID number in the email. Please be sure to talk to your student about your opt out choice so your student knows they should not answer the survey questions during the PSAT digital readiness check.

Transportation

FCPS transportation is available for all students participating in the PSAT/NMSQT. Regular bus routes will be provided in the morning and after the early release. Families of students requiring alternate transportation arrangements due to accommodated testing will be contacted directly by the PSAT School Day Coordinator.

Schedule and Logistics for Exam Day

FCPS Leadership approved Wednesday, October 11 as an “unscheduled day” for most students who are not participating in PSAT or SAT assessments or specific services.

Students receiving low incidence special education services receive a normal instructional program if not participating in the PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day
Grade 9 students do not attend school this day
Grade 10-11 students take the PSAT/NMSQT, with limited exceptions
Grade 12 students are encouraged to participate in the SAT School Day; those choosing not to take the SAT do not attend school this day

General logistics of note:

October 11 is a 2-hour early release day for high schools and secondary schools.
PSAT/NMSQT administration begins in the morning, according to regular school start times.
High school academy courses are not held on October 11; high school academy staff support base school activities, and all high school shuttles are canceled on this date.
Breakfast and lunch are available for purchase.

PSAT/ NMSQT - Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Planning for the PSAT - What to Bring

Required Materials

Students must bring the following materials with them on the day of the exam, which are required to take the assessment.

Student ID – a method of identification including a picture. Examples include:
- - School Picture ID- your school ID (this year or last year’s) is acceptable
  - Driver’s License with Picture
  - Passport
You do NOT need a testing ticket for this test.
No. 2 pencils- do NOT bring mechanical pencils or pens – pencils will NOT be available on Test day
Emergency contact information - this is simply a piece of paper with your name and a contact phone number in case of emergency (since many of us don’t have phone numbers memorized in this technological era anymore)

Permitted

Students are permitted to bring the following materials.

Hand sanitizers and/or wipes - May be taken into the exam room but must remain underneath the desk while the exam is underway
Approved calculator - Schools will not provide calculators on the day of testing. Further details regarding approved calculators can be found here.
Food/water - May be taken into the exam room but must remain underneath the desk while the exam is underway and may be accessed outside of the testing room only during breaks, unless a specific accommodation allows otherwise

Prohibited Materials

Students are prohibited to use the following materials in the testing room and during breaks.

Use of electronic devices is prohibited from the time the student is admitted to the building until they are dismissed at the end of the test, including break times. Specifically:
- Students may not handle or access a cell phone or electronic device at any time in the testing room or during break times. This includes smart watches, fitness bands, and any other devices with recording, internet, or communication capabilities.
- All devices, including cell phones and wearable devices, must be turned off and placed out of sight

Testing Room Assignments

Students and families should receive their testing room assignment via email no later than Friday, October 7.

More information regarding the PSAT/ NMSQT can be found in the PSAT/ NMSQT Student Guide. Hard copies of this document are available in the Student Services office.

Breakfast will be available in the cafeteria before the test like on standard school days.

Once you are dismissed, grab and go lunch will be available for purchase and busses will be running all normal routes at 12:45 PM.

Please make sure you are in your test room no later than 8:10 AM on Wednesday, October 12.

If you have any further questions, please contact Mr. Bird at @email or at 703-446-1643.

Transportation

PSAT Pre-Survey

At the beginning of the exam session, students see a voluntary pre-survey that asks questions about a variety of topics. You may opt out of this pre-survey for your student. 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 choose to opt your student out of the pre-survey, please notify Chris Bird, PSAT Coordinator at [email protected] by Friday, October 7, 2022, and include your student’s full legal name and FCPS ID number in the email. Please be sure your student knows they should not answer the pre-survey questions at the beginning of the test.

Schedule and Logistics for PSAT/ NMSQT Day

FCPS Leadership approved Wednesday, October 12 (A Day) as an “unscheduled day” for most students who are not participating in PSAT or SAT assessments or specific services.

Students receiving Category B special education services receive a normal instructional program.
Grade 9 students do not attend school this day
Grade 10-11 students take the PSAT/NMSQT, with limited exceptions. Attendance will be take for 10th and 11th graders.
Grade 12 students are encouraged to participate in the SAT School Day; those choosing not to take the SAT School Day do not attend school this day

General logistics of note:

October 12 is a 2-hour early release day for high schools and secondary schools.
PSAT/NMSQT administration begins in the morning, according to regular school start times.
High school academy courses are not held on October 12; high school academy staff will support base school activities, and all high school shuttles are canceled on this date.
FCPS transportation is available to all students.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided for students. Schools may choose to offer these as grab and go options.

Subject: PSAT/NMSQT Testing and Accommodations

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is pleased to announce plans to offer the Preliminary SAT (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) to students in grades 10-11 on October 12, 2022. A PSAT/NMSQT Testing Notification letter is posted online.

Students with disabilities who have testing accommodations documented in a 504 Plan or an individualized education program (IEP) may be eligible for testing accommodations on the PSAT/NMSQT. The College Board must approve a formal request for each student. If the student already has College Board accommodations approved from a previous PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, SAT, or AP test, then no further action is needed. Once instated, accommodations remain in place for all College Board testing. The Accommodations Process for College Board Testing webpage provides instructions on how to request College Board testing accommodations, including the required input and consent forms (Enclosures 2-3).

To request new or amended College Board accommodations for the October PSAT/NMSQT, return the input and consent forms to the school by August 9, 2022. When returning forms, deliver to:

ATTN: Telia Johnson, SSD Coordinator

South County High School

8501 Silverbrook Road

Lorton, VA 22079

OR @email

If you have questions about College Board testing accommodations for the PSAT/NMSQT, contact Telia Johnson at @email . We will share more specifics about the October 12 PSAT/NMSQT testing opportunity at the beginning of the school year.