Preparing to Graduate Worldwise: The Path to Examination Success

Martin Zarate
University and Careers Guidance Counsellor

On Saturday, 15 October, while our robust range of Saturday CCA Programmes were taking place across the College, another group of students were making their way to campus, dressed in their school uniforms. These students were laser focused on one task; sitting their PSAT examinations.

Universities around the world require students to take part in a variety of admissions examinations to demonstrate their language skills, aptitude, and knowledge about a particular course. One of the more commonly required admissions examinations is the Scholastic Aptitude Test, also known as the SAT. The SAT is widely required by colleges and universities in the United States but is also accepted at many institutions across the globe.

SAT scores demonstrate a student’s strengths and readiness for college work and expectations. However, it is important to recognise that SAT scores are just one part of a student’s university application. It is one factor, along with subject grades, internship participation, recommendation letters, as well as being able to demonstrate one’s genuine passion towards a particular course.

Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi is a certified SAT testing centre. This is important, as previous data showns that roughly one third of Dulwich College International students will attend university in the United States. It is important to recognise that although we are a British international school, our students Graduate Worldwise, and go to universities world-wide.

We encourage all appropriately aged students to take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which is mainly practice for the SAT. It is offered to our students in the second week of October each year. Students get their initial invitation in Year 9, and we recommend students to take the actual SAT in Term 1 of Year 12, as it provides students time to prepare and retake the examination if needed.  

What makes the PSAT/NMSQT unique from the rest of the tests in the SAT suite of assessments is that it is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Top performing students on the PSAT/NMSQT can qualify for scholarships and recognition from this prestigious awards program.  

Saturday, 15 October saw a growing number of students sitting the PSAT, and we look forward to seeing this number grow each year.