Lowers Take PSAT Despite Changes to Test Format

Earlier this year the College Board announced significant changes to the SAT, scheduled to be implemented in 2016. The changes will alter the format of the test by returning to a 1600 point scale and implementing a “rights-only scoring” system. While the alterations will not affect the class of 2016, Exeter’s class of 2017 will be the first students to experience the new test.Questions have therefore arisen in the Exeter community about the pertinence of this year’s PSAT and why many lowers opted to sit for the exam despite its conflict with Parents’ Weekend.Students typically take the PSAT, a condensed form of the SAT, during junior year to predict future SAT scores. The PSAT is also part of the National Merit Scholarship Program that grants high-scoring students with scholarships and awards. With the upcoming change to the SAT in 2016, the PSAT will also be adapted for the class of 2017 to take in October 2015.Exonians usually take the PSAT as practice during their lower year. This year, however, because the current lowers will take the new PSAT next year, they are wondering whether or not the extra day of testing is necessary.Some lowers do not see the purpose in taking the exam this year. Lower Kelly Lew said that she will not take the exam because she believes the content of the new PSAT will be extremely different from this year’s.“I'm not taking the PSAT because of a number of reasons. Everyone knows that the PSAT is going to change in content next year,” she said. “When I'm an upper and the PSAT actually matters, it'll be completely different. So I really don't see the point of wasting time and effort to take a test that won't prepare me.”Many lowers, however, believed that taking the exam could still help.Lower Eric Tang decided to take the exam in order to familiarize himself with the test. “I’m taking the PSAT to prepare for the SAT. I have no idea of what the SAT is like so I want to get a preview of it at least a little,” he said.Lower Irene Chun agreed, stating she wants to be adequately prepared even if the form is changing. “I’m taking it mainly because the PSAT and SAT formats are changing next year and there is a question of being sufficiently prepared for any kinds of standardized testing and our grade is very competitive,” she said.Upper Emma Kim agreed, stating that Exonians might need practice in sections that the school doesn’t prepare them for, such as English. “Well I think that kids seem to think that any standardized testing is good practice. Especially since we don't get to do English tests at Exeter,” she said.Upper Pranay Vemulamada believed that taking the exam can benefit a student with standardized exams in general, and can help promote good test-taking skills.“It's a good idea because even if the material changes, they're still practicing test-taking skills and learning the environment,” Vemulamada said.Students commonly use the PSAT scores in applications for summer camps and special programs. Chun also signed up for this year’s PSAT exam for this reason.“I think if you want to be applying to camps and internships and things like that over the summer, it will be an advantage to take it,” she said.Earlier in the term, the College Counseling Office (CCO) wrote in an email to lowers:“Please keep in mind that the PSAT should not be made a priority over other academic work.” Besides academic work, students taking the PSAT are choosing to sit through the exam during Parents Weekend.Upper Peter Duff commented on the importance of PSATs in relation to Parents Weekend.“Parents Weekend is also more important to some people than to others. If my parents were already in town for parents weekend, then I think I'd opt out of taking the test,” he said.