Why PSAT is VERY important?

 Why is the PSAT Important?

The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is more than just a practice test — it plays a major role in college admissions and scholarship opportunities.

1. Practice for the SAT

The PSAT closely matches the SAT in format and difficulty.

Students who take the PSAT are often more confident and better prepared for the actual SAT.

2. Scholarship Opportunities

High school juniors who perform well on the PSAT/NMSQT may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

This can lead to a $2,500 scholarship or even full-ride offers from certain colleges and corporations.

3. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses

The PSAT score report breaks down your performance in each section, helping you focus your preparation where it matters most.

4. Get Noticed by Colleges

Strong PSAT scores can lead to recruitment emails and mail from colleges, giving you an early start on college admissions.

Free PSAT Practice Resources

Bluebook App (for Windows, Mac, iPad, Chromebook):

https://bluebook.collegeboard.org/students/download-bluebook

Official Practice Test

https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/preparing/practice-materials

Scoring :

https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/scores/scoring

2025 PSAT/NMSQT Test Dates

• Weekday Testing: October 1–31 (scheduled by each school)
• Saturday Testing (2025 only): October 11 or October 18

If you’re aiming for high scores and scholarships, it starts with the PSAT.

Feel free to share this with students and parents who might benefit. Hope it helps. !!! 

SAT Vocabulary Words : 10 Words to Boost Your Score 4

Fortuitous

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: happening by chance, often in a lucky or beneficial way

Example: It was purely fortuitous that she found a hundred-dollar bill on the sidewalk right after losing her wallet.

Gregarious

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: sociable; enjoying the company of others

Example: Unlike his reserved brother, Malik was gregarious and loved hosting dinner parties.

Illicit

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: forbidden by law, rules, or custom

Example: The detective uncovered an illicit scheme to traffic endangered animals through the shipping port.

Lackluster

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: dull; lacking energy, brightness, or vitality

Example: The team’s lackluster performance disappointed fans who expected a thrilling match.

Malleable

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: easily shaped or influenced; adaptable

Example: Teenagers are often more malleable than adults, which is why early education matters so much.

Obsequious

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: excessively flattering or eager to please; servile

Example: His obsequious compliments toward the CEO seemed more desperate than respectful.

Tenacious

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: holding firm to a goal or belief; persistent

Example: Despite multiple rejections, she remained tenacious in her pursuit of a publishing deal.

Venerate

Part of Speech: verb

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Definition: to honor or deeply respect

Example: Many cultures venerate their ancestors through rituals, prayers, and storytelling.

Verbose

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: using more words than necessary; overly wordy

Example: The speaker’s verbose explanation made a simple idea sound unnecessarily complex.

Wary

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: cautious or alert, especially about potential dangers

Example: Travelers were wary of pickpockets in the crowded train station.

SAT Vocabulary Words : 10 Words to Boost Your Score 3

Gregarious

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: sociable; fond of company

Example: His gregarious nature made him the life of every party.

Illicit

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: not allowed by law or rules

Example: Authorities cracked down on the illicit trade of rare wildlife.

Tenacious

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: persistent; determined to hold on

Example: Her tenacious efforts finally paid off when she got the job.

Verbose

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: using more words than necessary

Example: The instructions were so verbose that they confused rather than helped.

Venerate

Part of Speech: verb

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Definition: to regard with great respect

Example: The community continues to venerate the late teacher’s legacy.

Lackluster

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: dull or uninspired

Example: The team gave a lackluster performance in the final match.

Malleable

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: easily influenced or shaped

Example: Young children have malleable habits that form quickly.

Obsequious

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: overly submissive or eager to please

Example: His obsequious flattery irritated the entire office.

Wary

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: cautious or on guard

Example: She was wary of strangers offering unsolicited help.

Reclusive

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: avoiding the company of others; solitary

Example: The author became increasingly reclusive after his best-selling book drew media attention.

Getting Ready for the Digital SAT? Here’s What You Need to Do First

Getting Started with the Digital SAT: What You Need to Know

If you're planning to take the digital SAT, this guide will walk you through how to download Bluebook,

complete a practice test, and request a fee waiver if you're eligible.

It's simple once you know what to do.

Step 1: Download the Bluebook App

Go to bluebook.collegeboard.org and click "Download Bluebook".
It's available for Windows, Mac, iPads, and Chromebooks.
Install the app on the device you’ll use for the test.

Step 2: Sign in with Your College Board Account

Use the same username and password you’ve used for other College Board services like the SAT, PSAT, or AP exams.
If you don’t have an account, go to collegeboard.org and create one.
Tip: Use the same account across all College Board platforms to keep your scores and test history together.

Step 3: Take a Full Practice Test

Open the Bluebook app and select “Practice and Prepare.”
Choose one of the full-length practice tests. 

Tests 5 and 6 are often regarded as the most reflective of the real SAT, with some users noting that Test 6 closely mirrors the actual exam's difficulty

Test 7 is also highlighted for its similarity to the real test, especially in the reading and writing sections

Tests 1 through 3 are generally considered easier and less indicative of the actual test's challenge

The digital SAT is adaptive, so make sure you finish both modules in each section.

You can review your scores right after or sync your progress with Khan Academy.

Step 4: Request a Fee Waiver (If Eligible)

If you qualify for free or reduced lunch or receive other public assistance, you may be eligible for a fee waiver.
Ask your school counselor for a fee waiver code before registering for the SAT.
Enter that code during SAT registration on the College Board website.

What the Fee Waiver Covers:

• Up to two free SAT test registrations
• No late registration fees
• Free score reports sent to colleges
• College application fee waivers at many schools

You’re all set. Once Bluebook is installed and your account is ready, start practicing and keep track of your progress.

Let me know in the comments if you have questions or need help.

Hope this helps !!! 

Student SAT digital test : A. V

completed a free test from Princeton Review.

Scores:

• Math: 790
• English: 770

will send a list of 150 frequently tested digital SAT vocabulary words.

recommend 2 more timed practice tests from the official College Board

test 6 and 7 

Children's Books (e-books, audio books, e-magazines and other links)

 Leave a comment what books you've checked out and how you like them. 

Let me know what else you'd like to read, I'll try my best to locate those titles for you. 

Have fun learning together at home !!!!!  

My Father's Dragon   Online e-book

Audio of the same title 

From Youtube : 

The Little Red Hen 

Get a library card and download "Overdrive" from your local library. 

There are tons of e-books, audio books and e-magazines (in many different languages) for you

to explore no matter where you are, even if you are abroad. 

Write a comment about how you like those books, or other books 

you've chosen to read this summer.

I'll post your reflections here. 

Thanks a lot for participating. 

Student reflection notes or record : B. Y a 10th grader SAT digital test 9

Comment : 

Grammar is much easier to improve, so this is a good start. 

6/29/2025

Birding, anyone?

Credit goes to Karen and her husband, two bird lovers.

黑枕藍鶲

Black-naped Monarch

        is a small, striking bird commonly found in Taiwan 

黑冠麻鷺

The Black-crowned Night Heron in Taiwan

Hooded Merganser l Fantastic Crest and Humorous Courtship Display

A great book to share : The Little Prince

A great book to own, read together and share with your loved ones. 

The Little Prince  The Children's Classic Novella

Voted Best Book of the 20th Century in France

Complete audio in English 

Complete audio in Chinese part 1

Complete audio in Chinese part 2 

The Little Prince Official Trailer 

I like the trailer, but not the actual movie, which I don't think is
true to the spirit of the original.

Quotes : 

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” 
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

“It is the time you have spent on your rose that makes your rose so important” 

Enjoy !!!!!

Please leave a comment (I LOVE receiving those kind, thoughtful e-mails/comments).

SAT Vocabulary Words : 10 Words to Boost Your Score 2

🔴 Surreptitious

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: done in a secret or sneaky way

Example: He made a surreptitious attempt to peek at his classmate's answers during the quiz.

🔴 Coalesce

Part of Speech: verb

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Definition: to come together and form one whole

Example: The streams coalesced into a powerful river after the storm.

🔴 Mitigate

Part of Speech: verb

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Definition: to make less severe or harmful

Example: To mitigate traffic congestion, the city introduced a carpool incentive.

🔴 Facile

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: easily done or achieved, often too simply

Example: His facile summary of the novel ignored its deeper themes.

🔴 Exactitude

Part of Speech: noun

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Definition: the quality of being extremely accurate or precise

Example: The engineer double-checked every line of code with exactitude.

🔴 Placate

Part of Speech: verb

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Definition: to calm or pacify, especially by making concessions

Example: He tried to placate the angry customer with a sincere apology and a refund.

🔴 Trivial

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: unimportant; insignificant

Example: The siblings argued over trivial matters like who got the bigger cookie.

🔴 Inconsequential

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: not important or significant

Example: His mistake was minor and ultimately inconsequential to the final outcome.

🔴 Superfluous

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: unnecessary, especially through being more than enough

Example: She deleted the superfluous words to make her essay more concise.

🔴 Evince

Part of Speech: verb

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Definition: to show clearly or demonstrate

Example: Her steady voice evinced a calm confidence during the interview.

SAT Vocabulary Words : 10 Words to Boost Your Score 1

🔴 Capacious

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: having a lot of space; roomy

Example: She chose the capacious tote bag so she could carry her laptop, books, and lunch all at once.

🔴 Ameliorate

Part of Speech: verb

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Definition: to improve or make a bad situation better

Example: They created a mentorship program to help ameliorate the struggles of first-generation college students.

🔴 Facetious

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: joking or sarcastic, often inappropriately

Example: His facetious remark about skipping school during finals earned him a warning from the teacher.

🔴 Repudiate

Part of Speech: verb

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Definition: to reject or disown, especially formally or publicly

Example: The athlete quickly repudiated the offensive comments made by a former coach.

🔴 Truncate

Part of Speech: verb

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Definition: to shorten by cutting off a part

Example: The editor had to truncate the article to fit the layout of the magazine's front page.

🔴 Exacerbate

Part of Speech: verb

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Definition: to make a bad situation worse

Example: Interrupting her during the presentation only served to exacerbate her anxiety.

🔴 Ubiquitous

Part of Speech: adjective

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Definition: found everywhere; widespread

Example: QR codes have become ubiquitous in restaurants since the pandemic.

🔴 Harbinger

Part of Speech: noun

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Definition: a sign or signal of what is to come

Example: The sudden drop in stock prices was seen as a harbinger of economic trouble.

🔴 Discern

Part of Speech: verb

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Definition: to recognize or detect something with effort

Example: It was hard to discern the figure in the dense fog, but she was sure someone was there.

🔴 Proponent

Part of Speech: noun

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Definition: a person who supports or argues in favor of something

Example: She has long been a proponent of renewable energy solutions.