PSAT/NMSQT Study Guide, 2023: Comprehensive Review with 4 Practice Tests + an Online Timed Test Option

by Brian W. Stewart M.Ed.

Overview

Barron’s PSAT/NMSQT Study Guide Premium 2023 includes everything you need to be prepared for exam day with comprehensive review and practice from experienced educators.This edition also includes the most up-to-date information on the new digital exam to be administered in the US in fall 2023. 

All the Review You Need to Be Prepared

• An expert overview of the PSAT/NMSQT, including answers to frequently asked questions, advice on curbing test anxiety, and information about the National Merit Scholarship program
• In-depth subject review covering all sections of the test: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math 
• Tips and strategies throughout from the author—an experienced tutor and test prep professional

Practice with Confidence

• 4 full-length practice tests—3 in the book and 1 online—including 1 diagnostic test to assess your skills and target your studying
• Review chapters contain additional practice questions on each subject
• All practice questions include detailed answer explanations

Online Practice

• 1 full-length practice test online with a timed test option to simulate the exam experience
• Detailed answer explanations included with expert advice
• Scoring to check your learning progress
• An online vocabulary appendix for extra review

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506280110
Publisher:	Barrons Educational Services
Publication date:	06/07/2022
Series:	Barron's Test Prep
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	648
Sales rank:	1,124,996
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.80(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

About the Author
Brian W. Stewart, M.Ed., Dublin, OH
Brian is the author of ACT, SAT, and PSAT test preparation books published through Barron's Educational Series. Brian is the President of BWS Education Consulting, Inc., a test preparation and tutoring company based in Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana: www.bwseducationconsulting.com. Brian and his staff have helped students achieve perfect scores on the ACT, SAT, and PSAT, and reach their college admissions goals. BWS Education Consulting is available to work with students anywhere in the world via online tutoring.

About the Publisher
In the 1930s, Manuel H. Barron opened a bookstore in Brooklyn, New York. 

People from the community asked Mr. Barron about books that might be available to help their children study for the New York State Regents exams. After realizing there wasn't anything available, Mr. Barron created his own study guides.

80 years later, Barron's has helped millions of people prepare for their next step.

Table of Contents

About the Author vii

How to Use This Book ix

Introduction to the PSAT/NMSQT 1

Diagnostic Test

Diagnostic Test 7

Answer Key 50

Diagnostic Test Analysis Guide 52

Answer Explanations 54

Reading

1 Reading 75

Frequently Asked Questions 75

Reading Passage Strategies 76

Reading Questions Strategies 79

Tactics for Specific Reading Question Types 81

Putting It All Together 82

Reading Questions Drills 87

Reading Passages Drills 113

Troubleshooting 140

Further Preparation 141

2 Advanced Reading Drills 143

Fiction 144

Great Global Conversation 153

Social Science 162

Science 168

Answer Explanations 181

Writing and Language

3 Writing and Language 201

Frequently Asked Questions 201

Writing and Language Strategies 202

Idea Development Questions 204

Organization Questions 214

Effective Language Use 219

Sentence Structure 228

Conventions of Usage 237

Punctuation 247

Frequent Types of Punctuation Questions 251

Practice Exercises 254

Troubleshooting 280

Further Preparation 281

4 Advanced Writing and Language Drills 283

Advanced Writing and Language Drills 284

Answer Explanations 302

Math

5 Math Review 315

What Is Tested on the Math Section? 315

How Should I Use This Chapter? 315

Heart of Algebra 317

Order of Operations 317

Substitution and Elimination to Solve a System of Equations 319

Fractions 323

Inequalities 325

Absolute Value 327

Linear Relationships 328

Problem Solving and Data Analysis 331

Interpreting Functions 331

Percentages 336

Ratios, Proportions, and Direct and Inverse Variation 338

Mean, Median, and Mode 341

Probability and Statistics 343

Passport to Advanced Math 349

Factoring 349

Advanced Equation Concepts 351

Synthetic Division 355

Function Notation and Manipulation 356

Exponents 357

Zeros and Parabolas 359

Additional Topics in Math 363

Imaginary Numbers 363

Trigonometry 364

Circles 367

PSAT Reference Formulas 372

Math Essentials Review Quiz 373

Further Preparation 382

6 Math Strategies, Tactics, and Problem Solving 383

How Is the PSAT Math Test Designed? 383

How Can I Prepare for and Be Successful on the PSAT Math Test? 383

PSAT Math Timing Strategies 384

PSAT Math Question Strategies 385

Math Tactics with Examples 387

Heart of Algebra Practice 401

Problem Solving and Data Analysis Practice 409

Passport to Advanced Math Practice 417

Additional Topics in Math Practice 426

Troubleshooting 430

7 Advanced Math Drills 431

Heart of Algebra 432

Problem Solving and Data Analysis 436

Passport to Advanced Math 442

Additional Topics in Math 447

Calculator Problems 448

Free-Response Problems 450

No-Calculator Problems 450

Answer Explanations 453

Practice Tests

Practice Test 1 501

Answer Key 541

Answer Explanations 543

Practice Test 2 569

Answer Key 606

Answer Explanations 608

Appendix

Appendix: After the PSAT 629

Index 633