PSAT/NMSQT Administration Date: ______

PSAT/NMSQT® Planning Calendar

This calendar is intended to help school leaders plan for, administer, and use data and results from the PSAT/NMSQT®. Educators should feel free to add to, customize, and reorganize the content and share the calendar with colleagues. Remember to:

  • Visit professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/psat/deadlines for the latest information about dates and deadlines.
  • Adjust the dates in this calendar according to the PSAT/NMSQT administration date.
  • Consult publications such as the PSAT/NMSQT Registration Announcement orOfficial Educator Guide to the PSAT/NMSQTfor further details about these action items.

Action Item / Date / Item Category / Owner / Notes
a)Order PSAT/NMSQT materials for the upcoming fall administration. / Mid-April / Administration / PSAT/NMSQT Coordinator
b)Introduce students and families to the PSAT/NMSQT—distribute the PSAT/NMSQT Benefits Flyer for Students & Parents found at collegeboard.org/psatdownloads. / April/May / Communication / Counselors
c)Request accommodations for students with disabilities before the end of the school year—must be received by the College Board before the end of August. More information at professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/ssd. / May / Administration / Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Coordinator
Official Student Guides delivered to schools that ordered test books by June 30—Mid-September
d)Visit classrooms to talk about the PSAT/NMSQT with students—distribute copies of the Student Guide and answer questions. / Mid-September / Administration / Counselors
e)Help families understand the importance of the PSAT/NMSQT—distribute family handouts found in the Educator Guide and download other materials at collegeboard.org/psatdownloads. / Late September/Early October / Communication / Counselors
f)Display the PSAT/NMSQT poster in a high traffic area at schools—schools receive the poster in their summer educator mailing. / September/October / Administration / School
U.S. schools receive all test materials—At least one week before test administration
g)Verify test materials—ensure that you have received all cartons.Without opening bags, check that test books and answer sheets are for the correct test date and count the tests. / October— at least one week prior to test day / Administration / PSAT/NMSQT Coordinator
h)Distribute copies of the Supervisor’s Manual to all test proctors. / October— at least one week prior to test day / Administration / PSAT/NMSQT Coordinator
i)Copy and distribute the Associate Supervisor/Proctor Checklist—from Educator Guide. / October—at least one week prior to test day / Administration / PSAT/NMSQT Coordinator
j)Train staff who will be serving as test proctors on test day. / October—at least one week prior to test day / Administration / PSAT/NMSQT Coordinator
k)Administer PSAT/NMSQT: Wednesday or Saturday test administration. / October / Administration / School
l)Help students prepare for the SAT® and administer an SAT Practice Essay with the ScoreWrite™ guide and at collegeboard.org/scorewrite. / December–January / Connect to Instruction—SAT / English Teachers
m)Order optional reports, such as the Student Data File, at collegeboard.org/school. / April–November / Connect to Instruction / PSAT/NMSQT Coordinator
Score reports mailed to school principals— Early December
n)Distribute and review student test books with Score Reports—help students interpret results and review incorrect responses with students to help them recognize and correct mistakes. / December / Connect to Instruction / Teachers
o)Send student Score Reports to families— include letter explaining results and next steps (download template atcollegeboard.org/psatdownloads). / December / Communications / Counselors
p)Help students and families understand results—download Understanding Results from the PSAT/NMSQT and A Parent Tutorial for Understanding 2013 PSAT/NMSQT Results online atcollegeboard.org/psatdownloads (can be sent along with student Score Reports). / December / Communications / Counselors
q)Plan a My College QuickStart™ session to introduce students to college planning resources, including MyRoad™ — schedule a computer lab session and have students sign into My College QuickStart at collegeboard.org/quickstart. / Mid-December / College Planning / Counselors and Teachers
r)Help students use MyRoad to plan for college—download and use the MyRoad lesson plans available at professionals.collegeboard.com/k-12/planning/myroad/educators. / December / College Planning / Teachers
s)Access the AP Potential™ tool— view and download rosters using your password at appotential.collegeboard.com/welcome.doand within My College QuickStart. / December / AP Planning / Counselors, Teachers, Principals
t)Schedule and conduct a PSAT/NMSQT professional development workshop—share and review the SOAS Report with teachers, department heads, and curriculum specialists. Analyze data to identify skill areas that need improvement, and make adjustments to curriculum. / January / Connect to Instruction—Professional Development / District and School Leadership
u)[IF ORDERED] Review the Student Data File for common issues and challenging questions. / January / Connect to Instruction / Districts, Principals, Teachers
v)Schedule meetings with AP teachers— discuss student recruitment based on rosters generated from AP Potential. / January / AP Planning / Counselors
w)Create and send letters to inform families about their students’ potential for success in AP classes— sample letters are available for download in the AP Potential tool at appotential.collegeboard.com/welcome.do / January–March / AP Planning / Counselors

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