Practice PSAT/calculators!

[Anonymous]

So the students at our HS were instructed not to use graphing calculators for Honors Geometry or Algebra I last year, they are supposed to use a program on the laptops handed out by the school.

Well, guess what? Today was the practice PSAT and no one had a calculator. I would bet that even the kids who had one don’t know how to use it. I hope the ten graders taking the real PSAT had calculators and know how to use them!

C’mon MCPS - do we really want to discourage using the calculators that are REQUIRED for a portion of the PSAT? I know the calculators are expensive, but can we find a way to provide them to everyone? Pretty sure they used to do that before covid.

Not as sure about calculators for the SAT, but the PSAT is also important!

[Anonymous]

Our administration told them to bring calculators.

[Anonymous]

Our kids practiced with the calculators and were instructed to bring them today.

[Anonymous]

We didn't have the calculator the first time. We made sure it was packed today.

[Anonymous]

Ours mentioned it in passing at the last minute. Got one the night before. Doubt my kid knew how to use it and was already in danger of a very low score on the math part. I’m sure that sealed it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our administration told them to bring calculators.

So did ours. But they don’t have calculators because the math teachers told them not to bother getting them!

[Anonymous]

DD said literally no one has a calculator. Is that the best way to practice for the PSAT?

[Anonymous]

Starting next fall, the PSAT will be computerized and will include a graphing calculator similar to what the students are familiar with (Desmos); the SAT will follow in spring of 2024. So hopefully this will be the last year with this issue, although I imagine it was difficult for this year's students.

[Anonymous]

My kid who is a NMS scholar now - did very targeted practice with khan academy and practiced on only the eight official practice SAT tests on their website.

The only thing that he devoted time on above and beyond was to become familiar with the calculator. He is a top Math student and he felt that for some problems and sections calculators shaved off precious time.

I am glad for your students sake that they had this exposure and now know that they must master the use of calculators also for SAT.

I will see that as a big win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Starting next fall, the PSAT will be computerized and will include a graphing calculator similar to what the students are familiar with (Desmos); the SAT will follow in spring of 2024. So hopefully this will be the last year with this issue, although I imagine it was difficult for this year's students.

Is that published somewhere? Also Khan prep seems worth looking into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Starting next fall, the PSAT will be computerized and will include a graphing calculator similar to what the students are familiar with (Desmos); the SAT will follow in spring of 2024. So hopefully this will be the last year with this issue, although I imagine it was difficult for this year's students.

Is that published somewhere? Also Khan prep seems worth looking into.

Yes, here's an article about it: https://ucsdguardian.org/2022/02/06/sat-goes-digital/
And on the college board site: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/digital?excmpid=vt-00288

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Starting next fall, the PSAT will be computerized and will include a graphing calculator similar to what the students are familiar with (Desmos); the SAT will follow in spring of 2024. So hopefully this will be the last year with this issue, although I imagine it was difficult for this year's students.

Is that published somewhere? Also Khan prep seems worth looking into.

Yes, here's an article about it: https://ucsdguardian.org/2022/02/06/sat-goes-digital/
And on the college board site: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/digital?excmpid=vt-00288

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our kids practiced with the calculators and were instructed to bring them today.

+1 I made my kid take an official practice test using his graphing calculator a few weeks ago and use Khan academy to address math that he forgot. He said using his calculator today was very helpful in completing the calc-allowed math section and checking answers even though he said most of the math can be done without a calculator.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So the students at our HS were instructed not to use graphing calculators for Honors Geometry or Algebra I last year, they are supposed to use a program on the laptops handed out by the school.

Well, guess what? Today was the practice PSAT and no one had a calculator. I would bet that even the kids who had one don’t know how to use it. I hope the ten graders taking the real PSAT had calculators and know how to use them!

C’mon MCPS - do we really want to discourage using the calculators that are REQUIRED for a portion of the PSAT? I know the calculators are expensive, but can we find a way to provide them to everyone? Pretty sure they used to do that before covid.

Not as sure about calculators for the SAT, but the PSAT is also important!

Not an MCPS issue-- an issue with your school. Our school sent out a specific note over the weekend about bringing pencils, calculator, etc. Did your not even tell you to bring #2 pencils?

[Anonymous]

Our school uses calculators. No special computer program. The school has some for math class (kids are supposed to bring their own, but these are backups). But they have enough for some or all in a given class period, but not for the whole student body to borrow one at the same time. For standardized tests, you need to bring your own.