Caverna, Metcalfe PSAT scores below state average

By GINA KINSLOW
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW August 28, 2008 10:50 am

— Students in two area school districts scored below the state average in all subject areas on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test and gives students a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.
Students are not required to take the PSAT/NMSQT, but those who do get to see what it’s like to take the SAT or ACT college entrance exams.
“It also gives them a snapshot of their academic abilities,” said Jane Edwards, guidance counselor at Caverna High School.
The PSAT tests students in critical reading, math and writing skills.
Sophomores and juniors can take the test, but the only scores that count are the juniors’ scores, Edwards said.
“Sophomores take it as a practice,” she said.
Caverna had 15 sophomores and 19 juniors take the test.
The average scores for Caverna juniors were: critical reading, 42.8; math, 43.4; and writing skills, 41.8.
Caverna sophomores’ average scores were: critical reading, 43.6; math, 40.9; and writing skills. 38.8.
The Metcalfe County School District had eight students take the test, most of whom were juniors, said Bennie Stephens, director of secondary education.
The average scores for Metcalfe students were: critical reading, 41.3; math, 43.25; and writing skills, 41.4.
The average scores for high school juniors statewide were: critical reading, 49.6; math, 49.9; and writing skills, 48.2.
The average score for high school sophomores statewide were: critical reading, 47.4; math, 48.0; and writing skills, 46.6.