Results from the new PSAT test are out, and many sophomores are upset about their scores. More than half of the sophomore class had not yet taken Algebra II by the fall test date, which was included in the new curriculum.
“That’s the downside to it,” Dorothy Houck said, a PreAP Algebra II teacher and PSAT Team. “If a student had not had Algebra II, they’re going to struggle on the new PSAT format.”
However, Houck further explains that while this is a disadvantage, the test as a whole is a better judge of college readiness. The math questions of the pre-2015 PSAT could be solved through logic, giving intelligent students good scores when they did not actually understand higher level math. On the other hand, the new PSAT judges students’ learning of complex maths. Regardless, some students are still angered by this new curriculum.
“When I opened the math section and didn’t see anything I understand I was really mad and angry and confused because I either totally forgot what I was doing, or I wasn’t taught it,” said sophomore Komal Karamuruwho had not taken Algebra II prior to the fall test date,.
Many students agree with Karamuru’s feelings, since not knowing all the information on the test could result in lower scores. In the long run, this can mean not making PSAT Team and having a much smaller chance of becoming a National Merit Scholar as well as receiving college scholarships. However, the College Board website provides a solution for this issue.
According to the College Board website, the math test will focus in depth on the three areas of math that play the biggest role in a wide range of college majors and careers
The College Board website gives practice questions for the new math section as well as the other subjects present on the test. It also offers practice tests for students to prepare with for free. This way, even students who do not make PSAT Team can prepare for the test junior year.
In short, there is an unfair benefit given toward the students randomly scheduled to have Algebra II in the fall rather than the spring. However, there are also tools available online to help the unlucky spring semester students. In the long run, the test will allow for more accurate measurement of college readiness in students. In addition, there is no longer a penalty for wrong answers.
