Event Date: August 26, 2026

The PSAT™/NMSQT® is more than a test. It's an opportunity to build that picture. We walked through free College Board resources and simple ways to support preparation at home, and showed how your teen can use their scores through the BigFuture® School Mobile App to connect their academic strengths to college and career options. 

Watch now for practical next steps to help your teen feel ready, without adding pressure.

Key Takeaways

1. Preparation Doesn't Have to Be Expensive

"There are excellent research-based resources available at no cost." – Erin Carlson, Sandusky High School

Free, research-based tools can help your teen build skills and confidence before test day. College Board offers free practice tests your teen can use anytime to get familiar with the format and ease some of that pre-test stress.

2. One Test, Two Purposes in Junior Year

"It is still a PSAT... but it also serves as the National Merit Scholarship qualifying test." – Dixie Ross, Texas Public Schools

The PSAT™ 10 and PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) are the same exam. You can take it in 10th or 11th grade, but only junior-year scores count toward the National Merit™ Scholarship Program. Take it as a sophomore for practice under real test conditions and to spot weak areas. Take it as a junior for the same reasons — plus National Merit eligibility.

3. Let Your Teen Drive Their Own Prep

"Allowing students some choice and agency in the process can be very helpful." – Angela Pitkonen, Redan High School

Anxiety often comes from feeling like test prep is being done to them instead of by them. Let your teen pick how they study, whether that's an app, a study group, or a few practice sections a week. A little ownership can turn dread into confidence.

4. The Score Report Is a Launchpad, Not Just a Number

"The score report is more than just a number... it's going to provide a detailed picture of the student's strengths, areas for growth and then readiness for college level work." – Erin Carlson, Sandusky High School

Remind your teen the score report is more than a grade. It breaks down strengths, areas to grow, and how ready they are for college-level work — turning one test into a real planning tool. That kind of insight can guide course choices and career exploration long after test day.

Speakers:

	Erin Carlson  English Teacher, Sandusky High School, Michigan Erin Carlson is a wife and the mother of three children: Matt (23), David (18), and Rachel (15). She teaches high school English at Sandusky Jr./Sr. High School.  In her spare time you will find her teaching cooking classes for teens at the local library, volunteering, reading, or baking.
	Dixie Ross  Math Teacher, Concordia High School, Texas  Dixie Ross has taught mathematics in Texas public schools for over forty years. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescent and Young Adulthood Mathematics and was a Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Based on her own experience with the PSAT, she has been passionate for her entire career about preparing students effectively for standardized tests and helping students to access the options and opportunities those provide.
	Angela Williams Pitkonen  AP World History Teacher, Redan High School and AP U.S Government and Politics Virtual Instructor, Georgia Virtual School, Georgia Angela Williams Pitkonen is currently in her 28th year as an educator, with an M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership. As an Education Consultant, she has facilitated Advanced Placement Summer Institute (APSI) for World History and PBL World History. She has been an Education Ambassador for the College Board for over 8 years. She is also a reader for the AP World History Modern exam, and she participated in the College Board Project Based Learning (PBL) pilot.

Key Takeaways from Authors: Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop:

Why engagement matters
Engagement helps teens build confidence, resilience, curiosity, and ownership over their learning. Understanding your teen is the first step toward helping them become more engaged and can improve both their learning and their well-being. Disengaged Teen co-authors Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop identify four modes of learning that students use to navigate the academic and social demands of high school and beyond. 

The Disengaged Teen Book 
The Disengaged Teen for Parents

Resister mode
In Resister mode, disengagement is visible. Teens may push back, shut down, avoid work, or reject school altogether. This behavior often signals frustration, discouragement, or disconnection rather than simple defiance. 

What to do when your teen is in Resister mode: Jenny and Rebecca suggest that when your teen is in resister mode, treat their behavior as a signal that something isn’t working rather than simple defiance. Stay calm, get curious, and acknowledge what they’re feeling before trying to fix anything. Giving space can help de-escalate the moment and keep things from becoming a power struggle. Avoid lectures, nagging, ultimatums, or jumping straight into solutions, which can intensify resistance instead of resolving it. 

Passenger mode
In Passenger mode, teens do what is asked but remain emotionally detached. They may seem fine on the surface, yet they are mainly going through the motions. These students often need help connecting school to their interests, goals, and sense of purpose.  

What to do when your teen is in Passenger mode: In passenger mode, your teen may be going through the motions without real engagement, so the goal is to gently reintroduce ownership. The authors advise that you offer small choices, ask for their perspective, and connect tasks to a sense of purpose or relevance. Light check-ins work better than pressure to keep them moving. Avoid over-directing, doing everything for them, or labeling them as lazy, which can reinforce disengagement. 

Achiever mode
In Achiever mode, teens perform at a high level but are often driven by pressure rather than genuine engagement. They may look successful while struggling with stress, perfectionism, or fear of failure. Strong outcomes do not always mean a student feels connected to learning. 

What to do when your teen is in Achiever mode: When your teen is in achiever mode, they may be highly driven but also at risk of stress or burnout. Jenny and Rebecca suggest that you focus on praising effort rather than just outcomes and encourage balance alongside their goals. It’s important to broaden their sense of success beyond constant performance. Avoid reinforcing perfectionism or treating this as the only “good” mode, as that can increase pressure over time. 

Explorer mode
Explorer mode reflects deep, healthy engagement. Teens are motivated by curiosity, purpose, and a desire to learn. This is the mode where students develop the confidence and agency to take ownership of their growth.  

What to do when your teen is in Explorer mode: Explorer mode is when your teen is curious and open to trying new things, and it’s important to protect that space. The authors advise that you support their interests without attaching immediate expectations and allow room for trial and error. Keeping some time unstructured helps sustain this kind of growth and motivation. Avoid overscheduling or pushing for quick results, which can shut down their natural curiosity. 

Key Takeaways: 

1. Consistency Matters More Than Perfection. 
   “Start with that one system that works for them… that consistency is really, really helpful.” – Angie Strong, Spring Valley High School 
2. Support Independence Gradually. 
   “We’re developing humans… starting small where you’re providing that support but then scaffold it back.” – Dr. Cynthia Martinez, San Antonio ISD 
3. Start Small to Build Lasting Habits. 
   “It can be just 10 to 15 minutes once a week to look ahead.” – Beth Oesterman, Lodi High School 
4. Organization Goes Beyond Planners. 
   “Organizing your thoughts and taking notes… will help and go a long way in college and in life.” – Nancy Nauman, Visalia USD 

Key Takeways:

•  Focus on Student Fit, Not Selling.
• “Your job isn’t really to sell the school or say no… you’re teasing out of your student what excited them.” – Patricia Peek, Fordham University
•  Approach Visits Like Research, Not Just Tours.
• “Think of this not just as a tour, but as field research… you want to be a journalist… observe, verify, and collect your data.” – Dr. Cynthia Colón, Destination YOUniversity
•  Compare Schools to Clarify What Matters.
• “Go back to your notes and start to look at the things that these schools have in common or don’t have in common.” – Emma Adebayo, University of Wisconsin–Madison
•  Explore Beyond Campus to Get the Full Picture.
• “You won’t only be on that campus… spend some time around that town.” – Rebecca Donovan, University of Kentucky

Key Takeaways:

1. Build AP Plans with Purpose, Not Pressure.
   “Strong AP plans are intentional. They aren't built around numbers; they’re built around alignment.” – Claire Lorenz, College Board
2.  Balance Passion with a Well-Rounded Schedule.
   “We want them to surge forward in those areas where they really do have a passion… and provide balance across the full scope of their curriculum.” – Carrie Poehlein, Park Tudor School
3.  Let Interest Guide Course Selection.
   “Encourage your student to look at courses they’re interested in… You may find a course that you didn’t think you would be good at, but after you took the course, you realized because of that interest you succeeded.” – Chandra Webb, KIPP Antioch Global High School
4.  Embrace Challenge with Commitment to Growth.
   “Go for the challenge as long as you are interested and ready to commit to trying... what that shows is a willingness to learn.” – Laurie McDonald, Atlantic Coast High School

Key Takeaways:

1.  Focus on Net Price, Not Sticker Price.
   “The vast majority of families do not pay the sticker price." Focus on the net price after grants and scholarship before ruling a school out. – Jill Glaze, Bunker Hill Community College
2.  Use Cost Calculators Early and Often.
   “Don’t guess.” Use each college’s calculator early to estimate what your family might actually pay. – Kelly Nehring, University of San Diego
3.  Stay Organized to Protect Your Aid Eligibility.
   Missing FAFSA or CSS Profile deadlines “can definitely reduce your eligibility,” Staying organized matters. – Kelly Nehring, University of San Diego
4.  Compare Financial Aid Offers Carefully.
   “Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples.” Review grants vs. loans and evaluate each cost line by line before making a decision. – Lisa Berian, Spelman College