US Higher Education – PSAT/NMSQT registration

I would like to introduce myself to those of you who don’t know me as the Head of Careers & Higher Education.  I would like to invite both students and parents to contact me with questions or to make an appointment to discuss various options for further study in the U.S.A..  My contact details are below. Alternatively I attend all parents’ evenings and welcome you to come and see me then. Students are welcome to come by and see me at any time by visiting me in Rm. 231A during most break times and to join our university guest visits and HE meetings.

Secondly, I wish to invite students to our PSAT/NMSQT test administration which will take place on Wednesday 19^th October from 2.45 through to approx. 6.00 p.m.. Please note that due to the renovations to our exam hall, this year’s PSAT test will take place at RCHK.  Students taking the test will leave school at 2.00 p.m., and travel by bus to RCHK as a group.

PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test / National Merit Scholarship Qualification Test.  This is an important test for all students who plan to attend university in America as it is a preliminary preparation for the very important Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) assessment. The SAT test scores are one of the factors colleges and universities consider in gauging students’ abilities and in selecting students for admission. For American citizens who are in their second to last year of high school, it is also the first step in being considered for a National Merit Scholarship.

The results of this test will be posted to the school and should arrive near the end of term. When these do arrive, I will have a meeting with students to pass back their test booklet, give them their results sheet and explain to them what their results mean to them as they consider preparing for applying to universities in the United States.

The test fee is HK$240.00. This is collected by the school and then paid to the test administering company (ETS).  In return, ETS will provide data on how individual students have performed in relation to the entire test-taking population. We can then use the results report to gauge comparative strengths and weaknesses between our students and those in America. This fee also covers administrative and transportation costs.

I would like to emphasise that this test is optional.  However, please do note that it is very good preparation for the important SAT tests which every student applying to American universities will normally take. It is very similar to the new SAT and is made up of multiple-choice questions in four main sections – Reading / Writing & Language / Maths (without calculator) / Maths (with calculator).

If you wish to participate in this test, I should be grateful if you could fill in and return the reply slip below with payment on or before Friday 9^th October, which is just prior to our CAS Week and Mid-Term break.  Please also ensure that students are ready for the test when they attend, by bringing at least 3 sharpened 2B pencils and a calculator, with fresh or backup batteries (which will need to be set to ‘test mode’).

There will also be a rather short and informal information meeting at the end of the test where parents and students will be introduced to the U.S. Higher Education preparation programme at the school and where you will have a chance to ask questions.  This will take place from approx. 5.30 – 6.00 p.m. at Renaissance College.  If you are interested in attending, please indicate this on the registration form.

Again, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the test or any other related matter, please feel free to me by email or by visiting the Careers/HE office.

Kind regards,

Patrick Campbell

Head of Careers & Higher Education
Sha Tin College

————————– Detach and return to Examinations Office (RM 117) 

__________ (Please tick at left) My son/daughter will be taking the PSAT/NMSQT on Wednesday 19^th October at RCHK from 2.45 to 6.00 p.m.  I have enclosed the fee of HK$240.00. (Please make cheques payable to Sha Tin College)

Student’s Name: _______________________________________

Year / Form:  ________

Date of birth (day/month/year) :  ____________

Parent/Guardian Signature:   ________________________________

__________(Please at left)  I/We will attend the introductory meeting for parents after the test on 19^th October at RCHK.

Please return this form and payment to Ms Wan in the Examinations Office (117) by 9^th Oct.

Please note that if there is a high demand, that preference will be given to Year 12 students, for whom the practice test and feedback are more crucially important, given their application timeline.