PSAT 240 Prep Course Info - Oak Park and River Forest High School

OAK PARK AND RIVER FOREST HIGH SCHOOL
201 NORTH SCOVILLE AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302-2296
June 2012
Dear Junior and Family:
For most of our college-bound students, the timeline for the college admissions process begins during
your junior year with college entrance exams in the spring semester. Many juniors prepare in advance for
their ACT and/or SAT exams, and one way to do so is to take the PSAT, the preliminary or “practice”
SAT, in October of your junior year. Your score on the PSAT may help you determine whether you wish
to take a test preparation course prior to taking the SAT or ACT in the spring.
PSAT: The Preliminary SAT
This year’s PSAT will take place on Saturday, October 20, and it will be optional for juniors and
sophomores. Any junior who wishes to take the PSAT but has an unavoidable conflict on October 20
must contact our office as soon as possible so that we can attempt to arrange an alternate test location. To
request the alternate test date, Wednesday, October 17, please email Lisa Evans at levans@oprfhs.org.
Although the absence would be excused, students taking the alternate test would miss their morning
classes.
PSAT Test Prep for Juniors
The PSAT is not a college entrance exam; however, juniors who score exceptionally well on the PSAT
can gain entry into scholarship competitions and recognition programs sponsored by the National Merit
Corporation. A specialized test preparation course for the PSAT will be offered to juniors this fall. The
course content and pace are geared toward students whose performance in the following areas indicates
the potential to score exceptionally well on the PSAT:
a percentile ranking of 97, 98 or 99 on the freshman year PLAN exam;
a composite score of 28 or above on the sophomore year Instructional ACT; or
a cumulative 4.0 unweighted GPA.
The deadline to register for the PSAT prep class is August 18, prior to the first day of school. If you
would like more information about the class, please call Lisa Evans, Administrative Assistant, at 708-
434-3573 or me at 708-434-3373 for more information.
Although this PSAT prep class is open to any junior, students whose performance does not fall into one of
the above categories may benefit more from taking ACT and/or SAT prep classes during the spring
semester. As a junior, you will receive information about these courses in time to register for test prep
classes geared to your college entrance exam of choice.
Sincerely,
Amy V. Hill
Director of Assessment and Research
cc: Counselors
AREA (708) 383-0700 TTY/TDD (708) 434-3949 http://www.oprfhs.org FAX (708) 434-3928

June 2012
Dear Oak Park and River Forest Junior Scholar:
Oak Park and River Forest juniors will take the PSAT/ NMSQT in October of 2012. For high-ability
juniors, the exam is a qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship, the most prestigious of academic
awards. Colleges, universities and corporations award scholarships based on the results of this exam. Our
test preparation program – PSAT 240 – has given Oak Park and River Forest juniors the competitive edge
on this critical exam since 1989.
Give yourself the edge. A leader in Midwest test preparation, ExcelEdge knows how to increase your
score. It is not enough to be smart. You have to know what to expect, how to eliminate choices, how to
answer items quickly and know when to move on. At each class, experienced instructors who are certified
content specialists will teach you effective offensive and defensive strategies. You will practice these
strategies on timed segments of authentic PSAT exams. For more information on our curriculum and to
see what our schools, our parents, and the graduates of our programs have said, please visit our web site:
www.exceledgeinc.com.
Expect results. Our data that compares sophomore year to junior year results proves that National Merit
Semifinalists and Commended Scholars who have participated in PSAT 240 have doubled the growth in
scores predicted by the College Board. Honors students with outstanding grades in their freshman and
sophomore years have the potential to be competitive for National Merit Scholarship Program
recognition, and we are inviting you to join us.
Register for PSAT 240. PSAT 240 will meet on ten Tuesday and Thursday evenings listed below. All
classes are scheduled from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. A description of the program follows this letter. The time
commitment is substantial, but more than two decades of research indicate that the time spent is a sound
investment.
9/4, 9/11, 9/13, 9/18, 9/20, 9/27, 10/2, 10/4, 10/9, 10/16
Register for ACT 36. Just a note for those of you who are thinking ahead… In the spring of 2013, you
will take the ACT. Our program – ACT 36 – will be offered to all college-bound juniors beginning at the
end of January with a choice of sessions on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Our classes will give
you in-depth practice for the April ACT and PSAE. Look for registration information in November.
Contact us with any question. If you have any question, please feel free to contact Ms. Amy V. Hill,
Director of Assessment and Research at OP-RF, 708-434-3373; Ms. Lisa Evans, Administrative
Assistant, 708-434-3573; or Carol Talabay or David Talabay of ExcelEdge, 219-838-0740/
www.exceledgeinc.com.
We look forward to sharing our game plan for success with OP-RF honors students in the Class of 2014.
Enjoy your summer!
Sincerely,
Carol L. Talabay
OVER

OAK PARK AND RIVER FOREST HIGH SCHOOL
201 NORTH SCOVILLE AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302-2296
PSAT 240
Our Program. PSAT 240 is a test preparation program created for high-caliber students. It is grounded in two
decades of research and shaped by best instructional practices. By focusing on test content, strategy and pacing, the
program gives students the confidence necessary to perform at an optimum level on the PSAT/NMSQT. Because
juniors apply strategies to authentic exams at each class, working through three complete tests in the program,
students learn to think like the test maker, enabling scholars to show their very best to colleges and scholarship
programs. PSAT 240 gives these juniors a winning edge.
The Critical Reading classes focus on
PSAT/ NMSQT Vocabulary
Sentence Completion Items
Critical Reading Passages
The Mathematics classes focus on
Math Essentials:
Numbers and Operations
Algebra and Functions
Geometry and Measurement
Data Analysis, Probability and Statistics
Standard Multiple-Choice Items
Student-Produced Response Items
The Writing Skills classes focus on
Strengthening Grammar and Rhetorical Skills
Improving Sentences
Identifying Sentence Errors
Improving Paragraphs
Our Teachers. PSAT 240 teachers are content specialists, thoroughly trained and fully-certified. More than just
knowledgeable, ExcelEdge staff members are personable and well-liked by students they teach. Working with
groups of about 20 students, a team of two teachers helps students acquire the skills necessary for exam success.
Our Students. PSAT 240 participants have said:
I give a whole hearted thumbs up to my teachers! The class is superbly designed to demystify the PSAT.
I was pleased with the teachers and the program. The strategies taught to pick apart the PSAT were
effective and made the test far less complex. I really feel that I am prepared to take the PSAT. Thank you
for a great program. It was money well spent!
After taking this course, I am absolutely sure that my PSAT/NMSQT score will go from a pretty decent
score to an outstanding score.
Not just test preparation ... New ways of thinking
AREA (708) 383-0700 TTY/TDD (708) 434-3949 http://www.oprfhs.org FAX (708) 434-3928

Registration ‘12 - Oak Park and River Forest H.S.
You may enroll in PSAT 240 classes being held at Oak Park and River Forest High School by
completing this student registration form. NOTE: This enrollment form must accompany your
payment by check or a copy of your receipt if you enroll online. Class rosters reminding you of
your starting date and notifying you of your room assignment will be posted outside
Room 372A and in counselors’ offices by Friday, August 31, 2012.
PERSONAL DATA: PLEASE PRINT.
Name:____________________________________________________ Male Female
Home Address: Street Number__________________________________________________
City___________________State_____Zip________
Phone:(home)_______________Parent at work (name)______________ (phone)________________
Parent E-mail address: _____________________ Student E-mail address:______________________
STUDENT COMMITMENT
I understand that PSAT 240 requires regular attendance and homework completion in order to
benefit the most from the program.
Student's Signature: ____________________________________________________________
PARENT RELEASE
I authorize my child's school to give ExcelEdge, Inc., a copy of my student's PSAT/ NMSQT score. I
understand that this information will be used only for research and will remain confidential.
Parent's Signature: _____________________________________________________________
CLASS SCHEDULE: PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9/4 to 10/16 (9/6, 9/25, 10/11 excepting), 7:00 to 9:00 pm
PAYMENT: Payment by check: $250 made payable to Oak Park and River Forest High School and
attach it to this form. To pay online, go to http://oprfhs.revtrak.net (select “Testing” from the lefthand
menu). Receipt must accompany this form.
Completed registrations should be mailed or delivered to Ms. Lisa Evans, Administrative Assistant,
Oak Park and River Forest H.S., Room 372A. Registrations will be accepted now through August
18. We will guarantee spots only to those students who meet the deadline, and we suggest that
you return your registration as soon as possible. We will not refund tuition once the program
begins.
We look forward to giving you the 240 edge!