PSAT Preparation and Support for 8th Grade Students

PSAT Preparation and Support for 8th Grade Students: As we prepare for the PSAT on October 14, Loiederman will provide several opportunities for students to learn about the assessment, become familiar with the online platform, and practice the skills they will need.

How Loiederman is supporting students:

Beginning Friday, October 2nd and continuing Monday, October 5th, all 8th graders will receive an overview of the PSAT and available preparation resources in their English and math classes.
Over the next two weeks, students will have opportunities during math classes to practice PSAT-related skills using IXL.
On Tuesday, October 6, all 8th graders will interact with the PSAT platform during Lions' Den so they can become familiar with the assessment before testing day.
The PSAT will be administered on October 14.

Free PSAT Preparation Through IXL: All MCPS students have access to free PSAT preparation through IXL, which provides targeted practice in the reading, writing, and math skills students will encounter on the PSAT. Students receive immediate feedback and explanations as they work, allowing them to learn from mistakes, strengthen specific skills, and practice at their own pace.

Students can access IXL by:

Logging in to IXL through the MCPS Clever Portal using their MCPS Gmail account information.
Using a personal phone or other device - a computer is not required!
Following these directions for accessing IXL through Clever.

For 8th graders: Because students do not yet have a PSAT score to use as a starting point, MCPS recommends beginning with questions in the 370–410 score range and working upward from there.

Please note that IXL practice does not provide or predict a student's PSAT score. It is simply a tool to help students strengthen individual skills, learn from mistakes, and identify areas where additional practice may be helpful.

8th Grade Students Considering Specialized Programs for SY28: Families who have students considering applying to specialized programs in their region should also be aware that the student's MAP-M, MAP-R, and PSAT scores will be considered as part of the student profile. The stronger set of scores will be used when assessing the student's profile for these programs.

For students considering these opportunities, the PSAT is therefore one part of a broader academic picture (including grades) and is not the sole measure of readiness.