Kaplan to offer FREE online PSAT prep course

http://www.savingforcollege.com/articles/kaplan-to-offer-free-online-psat-course-978

Kaplan Test Prep recently announced the upcoming launch of a FREE Preliminary SAT (PSAT) prep course for all students. This first-of-it's kind event will cover the most important PSAT content, with time dedicated to reviewing each area of the exam, including Reading, Math, Writing and Language. What's more, students who are competing for a National Merit Scholarship will benefit from the two advanced lessons included in the program.

The primary test day for the PSAT is October 19, 2016, and Kaplan's lessons will begin live streaming on October 1st at 4:00pm ET. Two recordings of the sessions will also be available to access following the live events. There's no official registration deadline, but students are encouraged to let Kaplan know ahead of time that they'll be attending, says Russell Schaffer, senior communications manager for Kaplan Test Prep.

Why is this big news?

Your PSAT score could lead to free money for college. The PSAT not only prepares you for the SAT, but it can also end up being your ticket to a lucrative scholarship. While a low score won't necessarily hurt you, those who achieve a high score could be eligible for a National Merit Scholarship. According to Lee Weiss, vice president of college admissions programs at Kaplan Test Prep, $180 million in National Merit scholarships is awarded to students with the best scores. And in some cases, universities may also give out additional scholarship money to attract top-scoring college hopefuls. To qualify for the awards, students need to select "yes" to Student Search Service® when they take the exam. By opting in, they're automatically screened for scholarships and recognition.

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You could get noticed by top schools. According to Weiss, "The PSAT is the kickoff to the college admissions process, and a great score can get students on the college radar for recruitment and scholarship money." If a college sees your score and thinks you might be a good match for their program, you'll likely receive a packet of admission materials in the mail. While this doesn't guarantee admission, it does indicate that the school is interested in you and may want you to apply. If you receive a mailing from a school you would like to apply to, be sure to express your interest by contacting them by phone, email or in person.

Kaplan's free course is potentially saving you A LOT of money. There are a number of PSAT prep courses available, but quality instruction often comes with a hefty price tag. In some cases, class fees can run north of $500 – which, according to the College Board, would cover around half of the annual costs of your textbooks. With Kaplan's free course, students benefit from the company's 70 years of experience as a world leader in test prep. They've assigned two of their top teachers to lead the course, who have taken and mastered the same exam and are committed to helping their students do the same.

Kaplan's class is the only free, live PSAT prep course available. There are certainly other free PSAT prep courses available, such as those offered by Kahn Academy, which offer a number of full-length practice tests and video content at no cost. Yet with Kaplan, students can actually ask teachers questions during the live event, giving them the opportunity to open dialogue if something isn't clear. For some students, this type of interactive learning may be what they need to achieve their top potential.

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