Latest news with #NationalMeritScholarship
Chicago Tribune
01-08-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Prep smarter with the best PSAT study guides
No one likes taking tests, especially tests as difficult and important as the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test. This test both prepares students for the actual SAT and acts as a qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship. A good PSAT prep book not only prepares students for the test but also helps them develop a study plan, which can decrease their test anxiety. The best PSAT prep book is the Princeton Review PSAT/NMSQT Prep, 2025. It includes three practice tests (one in the book, two online), several math drills and detailed explanations for the answers to ensure maximum understanding. Sections of the PSAT and what they measure The PSAT has two separate sections whose scores combine to produce your total PSAT exam score: math and reading and writing. Each section will have two subsections, called 'modules.' Recent PSAT changes Since the fall of 2023, the PSAT has been offered only in a digital format. The paper PSAT is no longer an option. It has also been condensed into a shorter test, now only taking 2 hours and 14 minutes. The digital test also includes built-in tools, such as a graphing calculator, text annotation, a timer, a zooming tool and the ability to cross out answer choices. However, you can still use your own graphing calculator if you'd like. While the PSAT is administered on a computer, you still have to go to your local high school to take the test. Studying and test-taking strategies Not everyone has good study habits, and most students have different studying styles. A good PSAT prep book should offer helpful guidance for all levels and types of test-takers. It should also give users test-taking strategies and provide ample practice opportunities. Drills PSAT prep books may contain drills, although not all have them and some only have them for certain sections. They usually contain questions found in PSAT exams to help students improve their understanding in areas where they struggle. Answers and explanations For practice tests and drills to be useful, the book must explain answers to help students understand where they might have gone wrong. Make sure your PSAT prep book has detailed explanations of its practice tests and drill answers to deepen your understanding. Basic PSAT prep books can cost as little as $15 or less, but you can spend up to $50 for in-depth prep books with multiple practice tests. When is the PSAT offered in 2025? A. The PSAT is administered every year in October. This year, the PSAT will be offered between Oct. 1 and Oct. 31, with a Saturday option on Oct. 11. However, the exact dates in your area depend on which date your local high school chooses to administer the test. If you're a homeschooler, you can still take the PSAT, but you'll need to sign up through your local high school. I don't need to take the PSAT for a year or two. What can I do now to get ready? A. One of the best ways to prepare is to purchase a few different PSAT prep books and make your way through them, as each one can contain different questions and have varying levels of difficulty. You might incrementally improve your chances simply by engaging in your classes, asking questions if you don't understand, doing your homework and studying for quizzes and tests. Are the practice tests in PSAT prep books really that important? A. They can be. Taking the practice tests can prepare you for how the real test will go and help you understand the areas of the exam on which you should focus your studying. It also may help lower test anxiety. Top PSAT prep book Princeton Review PSAT/NMSQT Prep, 2025 What you need to know: The Princeton Review makes a fantastic all-around PSAT prep book to cover your studying needs. What you'll love: Three practice tests and several math drills give students plenty of preparation. What you should consider: This isn't the right PSAT prep book for last-second cramming sessions, because it's much too large. Top PSAT prep book for the money Barron's PSAT/NMSQT Study Guide Premium, 2025 What you need to know: If you've taken the PSAT before and are trying to raise your scores in a specific area, this is the PSAT prep book for you. What you'll love: It contains two full-length practice tests and 200 online practice drills. What you should consider: Barron's book provides more of an overview of the test rather than an in-depth guide. Worth checking out PSAT 8/9 Prep: Full-Length Practice Tests, Online Video Tutorials, Digital PSAT 8/9 Secrets Study Guide: [8th Edition] What you need to know: This PSAT prep book is comprehensive and provides ample practice. What you'll love: Detailed explanations of the answers for practice test questions increase understanding of key concepts. What you should consider: The high level of detail may overwhelm certain students. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Chicago Tribune
16-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Two Lake Forest High School 2025 graduates named National Merit Scholars
Ahead of their graduation earlier this month, two Lake Forest High School students received national recognition for the academic performance, as they were both named National Merit Scholarship winners. Elizabeth W. Silvay and Albert Jie received the prestigious honor in the spring when they were completing their senior year. Silvay was one of 2,500 nationwide students receiving a National Merit Scholarship, selected from a group of 15,000 finalists. The program honors students for their academic record and potential for success in college studies. The honorees receive $2,500 scholarships, according to LFHS. Silvay was a member of the LFHS Math Team, French Club and pursued and tennis, track and field and was selected for the 2025 Illinois Ski Team at the Western High School Championship. Her next academic step is Dartmouth College intending to focus her studies on chemical engineering, according to a LFHS statement. Separately, Jie was one of about 830 high school obtaining a corporate-sponsored award via the 70th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These scholarships go to students meeting specific academic and personal criteria set by the sponsor. Jie received a corporate-sponsored National Merit Pfizer Inc. Scholarship. At LFHS, Jie was a member of the Swim Team and Math Team. He now plans to attend Northwestern University and major in economics, according to the school. LFHS held its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025 on June 7.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Richland senior named National Merit Scholar
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Richland High School senior Boyi Chen has been named a 2025 National Merit Scholar and collected one of the 2,500 competitive scholarships available throughout the country. 'I am incredibly honored and grateful to receive this scholarship,' Chen said in a statement. 'This support will be invaluable as I pursue my career goals in the medical field.' The National Merit Scholarship program is an annual academic contest that recognizes talented high school students across the nation. Students qualify for the competition by completing the PSAT or National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, and those who score highest move on to the semifinalist round, representing the top 1% of high school seniors in the country. Chen was a semifinalist in 2024, but did not advance. Students move on to the finals by submitting a detailed scholarship application, writing a compelling essay, maintaining good academic records, and providing an SAT or ACT score that confirms the PSAT or NMSQT results. Because Chen was accepted as a scholar this year, he earned a $2,500 scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Foundation. Winners are chosen by a panel of college admissions officers and high school counselors who examine each application. 'We are incredibly proud to celebrate Boyi's outstanding accomplishment in being named a National Merit Scholar and receiving this significant scholarship,' Richland High School Principal Timothy Regan said in a release. 'This award is a direct reflection of Boyi's remarkable intellect, relentless hard work, and the unwavering support of our dedicated faculty and staff.' Regan added that Chen's success serves as inspiration for everyone at Richland, and they are 'excited to see the incredible impact' that will have on his future endeavors.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Triplets Who Graduated at Top of Middle School Class Now Headed to Same University: 'We Won't Leave Each Other Behind'
A set of triplets are all headed to the University of Illinois this fall However, Aaron, Brandon, and Christopher Williams-Orr say the similarities may stop there as they all plan to have different majors As their high school noted, the brothers previously made news when they graduated 'as the top three eighth graders at their middle school in 2021"Students and staff at the University of Illinois will soon be seeing triple. Triplets Aaron, Brandon and Christopher Williams-Orr are graduating from high school in Chicago on Saturday, May 24, and all three brothers are set to attend the college together in the fall. "We won't leave each other behind," Brandon told NBC affiliate WMAQ. But don't expect to see them attending the same classes. Brandon is planning to become a computer engineering student, Aaron has his sights set on studying business and Christopher is interested in political science, according to the outlet. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In a sweet tribute, their high school, Providence St. Mel School, noted that the brothers previously made headlines when they graduated 'as the top three eighth graders at their middle school in 2021.' In high school, the trio 'found their footing quickly' and all three received 'impressive scholarships' provided by the University of Illinois and outside organizations. They credit their parents for helping them get to this milestone moment. "They kept pushing us from a young age," Christopher told WMAQ. "When we were little, my mom and my dad had us spelling words all over the wall, they made sure we knew how to spell, read and write and everything else like that." The Williams-Orr brothers are not alone in their success. Their high school's website says that for 47 consecutive years, 100% of Providence St. Mel graduates have been accepted to four-year colleges. A representative from the school tells PEOPLE, 'We are very proud of our triplets and all our graduates, which this year include a National Merit Scholarship finalist and a Gates Scholarship recipient.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Forest Hill student receives more than $10 million in scholarship offers
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Forest Hill High School senior Jayme Anderson has been accepted to more than 50 colleges and universities across the country and has received over $10 million in scholarship offers. Murrah High senior receives National Merit Scholarship According to the Jackson Public School District (JPS), Anderson is a dedicated student and active member of the Pride of Forest Hill Band. His scholarship offers include opportunities from institutions such as Stanford University, San Francisco State University, Penn State, UCLA and UC Berkeley. 'This milestone not only showcases Jayme's hard work and perseverance but also highlights the excellence we work to cultivate at USJ,' said Forest Hill Principal Torrey Hampton. 'It reflects the results of our All-Hands-On-Deck approach—where every team member plays a role in supporting scholar success.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
