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Infopic

Building a strong foundation is the first step to any plan. This study strategy pyramid shows you how the habits and systems that you put in place now can help you to be ready for a more successful test day. 

Habits and systems that you can start now include setting a consistent schedule. Think about what time of day works best for you. Organizing study materials is also an important part of this process. Many years ago, a clean desk with bookshelves and paper might have helped. Today you might need a folder on your laptop with link to resources and results for your error log or practice test sessions. Tracking goals is another part of building your base for future success. now is the time to think about routines and systems.

I asked Microsoft Copilot (available on your student account) to make a list of five resources that students could use to learn more about habits and systems. This is what I got back

 Learning Scientist

UNC Learning Center

Cornell Learning Strategies Center

Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching - Study Cycle (Youtube Video) 

MindTools Productivity and Habit Systems

Please leave a comment if you find any of these links useful so that other students can learn from your experience. 

Atomic Habits is my favorite youtube video about this topic. Let me know if you have other ideas.  

Infographic

 Here is an infographic to help you visualize your pathway to National Merit recognition. While there are never any guarantees, seeing the potential can help you to understand the value. In the state of Florida, National Merit finalists receive full cost of attendance at any Florida public school

The Benaquisto Scholarship Program covers much more than just the tuition price tag of Bright Futures. Full cost of attendance means that the state of Florida will also pay for your room, board, books and miscellaneous college expenses at schools like UF, FSU or UCF. Imagine making money to go to college!

PSAT Study Plan

 Video about making a study plan

Video about using an error log

Using an Error Log (Module 3 lesson 3)

 

Keeping track of your mistakes is one of the most efficient ways to plan targeted test prep. 

I have made a template of a DIGITAL ERROR LOG in google sheets that you can use. Just make a copy of the document and then you can personalize it and use it to keep track of the results of your study session.

Keeping tack of errors and taking time to reflect on why you missed a specific question can help you to figure out what to study next. 

Use this error log for 1 week while you follow the study plan that you developed in the last lesson. You need to complete at least 5 error log entries in a week and then complete a reflection based on the summary results on the second tab of the error log.

When you have completed the error log, you can use the summary tab to understand patterns in your log. When you have a written reflection, you will need to schedule a check in with me in person or virtually so that we can talk about how you can use your error log to revise your plan for week 2. 

Developing a Study Plan (Module 3 lesson 2)

Developing a detailed and specific study plan can help you to achieve your PSAT goals. 

You may use AI to help you plan, but you will need to give it detailed and specific information. 

When I asked chatgpt to make a study plan for me, this is the result: 

I can definitely help with that—but I’ll need a bit more detail to make the plan actually useful (and not just a generic template).

Can you share a few specifics from your previous PSAT results?

• Your section scores (Reading/Writing and Math)
• Any subscores or skill breakdowns (e.g., algebra, grammar, vocabulary, data analysis)
• Question types you tend to miss (e.g., timing issues, careless errors, specific concepts)
• Your target score (if you have one)
• How much time you can realistically study each day this week

If you don’t have all of that, even a rough description like “strong in math, weak in grammar and timing” works.

Once you send that, I’ll build you a focused 7-day plan with:

• Daily tasks (not just “study math,” but exactly what to do)
• Time estimates
• Practice + review structure (this is where most score gains actually happen)
• A mini full-length simulation if it fits your schedule

Right now, without your data, I’d risk giving you a plan that feels productive but doesn’t move your score much—so send what you’ve got and we’ll make it targeted.

So try to give it as much specific information as possible about what time of when, where and how much you can study as well as the date of the test and your goals.

It should remember any data that you gave it in a previous conversation. This will help you to build a more complete plan based upon your previous results. 

Think about how much time you can devote to PSAT preparation and when you can fit it into your existing routine. Once you make a detailed and specific plan, use your planner and schedule a reminder on your phone to help you stick to the plan. 

Here is a checklist for your 1 week study plan

My plan includes: 

• daily tasks
• time estimates
• targeted skill focus
• review strategies

Use the comment feature on this post to share your plan with me. Make sure it addresses each part of the checklist

Overview of the PSAT (Module 3 lesson 1)

Before you start studying for the PSAT, it is important to have an idea of its purpose, design and the content that it covers. As you review the STUDENT GUIDE, here are a few things you will notice:

1. You will use the bluebook app to take the test. You can download now to access practice tests, or view the sample material to become familiar with the format and questions types
2. Section 1 is reading with 54 questions in 54 minutes
• Section 1 includes 4 types of questions
• Information and ideas
• Craft and structure
• Expression of ideas
• Standard English conventions
3. Section 2 is math with 44 questions in 70 minutes
• Section 2 includes 4 types of questions
• Algebra
• Advanced math
• Problem solving and data analysis
• Geometry and trigonometry
• You will be able to use the DESMOS scientific calculator on the entire math section

On page 10 of the STUDENT GUIDE, you will find details each section and a question distribution

The test is adaptive, this means that the second part of each section may be different depending on how well you do on the first part

Start by looking at your score report and your AI analysis from the last lesson to identify your two weakest areas. You can use the page tabs along the top border to find specific study resources for each question type. 

When you think that you understand the basic structure and format of the PSAT, use this PSAT KAHOOT to measure your knowledge: