By Jordan DuShane
As 358 students gathered in gyms 1 and 2 on Wednesday, Oct. 14 for the PSAT, juniors may have noticed the many changes.
Sophomores, here’s what was different than past years, information courtesy of assessment center supervisor Janice Sokolik.

1. Last year, students were given 2 hours and 10 minutes. This year the test was 2 hours and 45 minutes due to an added math section. Previously, there was one math section, and this year there are two: a calculator and non-calculator section.
2. In the past, the PSAT has been given on 2 days: the first a Saturday, and the second a school day for students who could not make the Saturday test. This year, the College Board decided to not give a Saturday test date so everyone was given the opportunity to take it during the school day. Next year, Saturday testing will be brought back, but it is still being determined whether there will be a Wednesday alternative.
3. There’s a new rule for how to score the PSAT. This year, students are not penalized for guessing; their scores only come from correct answers.

    Students who have a fourth or fifth period lunch were only given a 20-minute lunch period on PSAT testing day. Here’s why:

1. Students were sent an email and told on the announcements to go by the assessment center before Wednesday to see what their row assignment was. Not many students did this, so it caused a delay on how fast students got seated.
2. The assessment center had thought students should’ve been given a 35 to 40 minute lunch.