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Day 2: PSAT/SAT/ACT — Why They Matter + Emerging Engineering Careers

Lesson Overview
Time 50 minutes
Objectives Compare PSAT, SAT, ACT, ASVAB, and TSI tests; explain how scores affect engineering college admissions; research 1-2 emerging engineering occupations
TEKS d(3)(E), d(1)(D)
Deliverable Completed PSAT/SAT/ACT Impact worksheet + Emerging Engineering Careers research template
Materials Chromebooks, projector, College Board website, printed test comparison cards (PSAT 8/9, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, ACT, ASVAB, TSI), printed Impact worksheet, printed Emerging Careers template

Warm-Up (5 min)

WARM-UP: Have you heard of the SAT? When do students take it? Does it affect YOU as a 7th grader?

Quick show of hands, most students will assume it is a high school problem. Bridge: decisions students make in 7th and 8th grade (course selection, study habits, math placement) directly affect PSAT 8/9 scores in 9th grade. Engineering programs look at these scores closely.

Activity 1: Standardized Test Overview (15 min)

Source: Scope and sequence d(3)(E) requirement + College Board PSAT/SAT resources

Teach each test with a short, concrete description and one key reason it matters. Keep it to 2-3 sentences per test. Students do deeper comparison in Activity 2.

  • PSAT 8/9: Taken in 9th grade. Practice run. Does NOT count for college admission, but scores identify strengths and weaknesses early.
  • PSAT/NMSQT: Taken in 10th or 11th grade. This is the National Merit qualifying test, top 1% earn National Merit scholarships worth $2,500+.
  • SAT: The primary college admissions test. Measures reading, writing, and math. Most four-year universities use SAT scores as one factor in admissions.
  • ACT: Alternative to the SAT. Includes science reasoning (SAT does not). Many students take both and submit the higher score.
  • ASVAB: Military aptitude test. Required if entering ANY branch of the U.S. military. Used to determine which military jobs a recruit qualifies for.
  • TSI (Texas Success Initiative): Required by Texas community colleges and universities before enrolling in college-level courses. Measures reading, writing, and math readiness.

Facilitation Tip

Emphasize that SAT/ACT scores affect not just admission but also scholarships. A student who improves their SAT math score by 100 points can unlock thousands of dollars in engineering scholarships at Texas universities.

Before class, post 6 index cards around the room, one for each test (PSAT 8/9, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, ACT, ASVAB, TSI). Each card shows: when it is taken, what it measures, what it is used for, and who should take it.

Students rotate through the stations in pairs, taking notes on their PSAT/SAT/ACT Impact worksheet. In 15 min, pairs will not hit all six stations, aim for the four most relevant to a 7th grader's pathway (PSAT 8/9, SAT, ACT, TSI) and skim the remaining two only if time allows. They answer:

  1. Which tests apply to MY pathway? (If engineering → SAT/ACT. If military → ASVAB. If community college → TSI. All students → PSAT 8/9.)
  2. What is the earliest test I will take? (PSAT 8/9 in 9th grade, just 1-2 years away.)
  3. What skills does it measure? (Reading, writing, math, science reasoning.)
  4. How does this test affect scholarships? (National Merit is PSAT/NMSQT; merit scholarships use SAT/ACT.)

DOK 3: How could your 7th-grade choices (course selection, math class, reading habits) affect your PSAT 8/9 score in two years? Name two specific things you could start doing now.

Activity 3: Emerging Engineering Careers Research (12 min)

Source: Scope and sequence d(1)(D) + BLS OOH Engineering section

Introduce "emerging occupations", careers that did not exist 10 years ago or are rapidly growing due to new technology or environmental needs. In engineering, the top emerging categories are Green Building / LEED Engineering, Smart Infrastructure, and Sustainability/Environmental Engineering. Ground these categories in BLS OOH: Environmental Engineers (bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/environmental-engineers.htm) lists sustainability, green building, and environmental compliance as growth areas through 2032.

Students pick one emerging engineering career and complete the Emerging Engineering Careers research template:

  • Career Name (e.g., Green Building Engineer, Smart Traffic Systems Engineer, Sustainability Consultant)
  • Why is it "emerging"?: what changed in the last 10 years that created this career?
  • Education required: bachelor's in traditional engineering + specialty certification (LEED AP, PE)
  • Estimated DFW salary from BLS
  • Why DFW needs it: population growth, climate, aging infrastructure

Students begin research in class and finish as homework if needed.

Facilitation Tip

Point out that "emerging" does not always mean new companies, it often means traditional engineers who added a specialty certification. A civil engineer who earns a LEED AP credential can charge higher rates.

Exit Ticket (3 min)

EXIT TICKET (Comparison Matrix) · Printable PDF:

Compare 3 standardized tests on how they matter to MY pathway.

Test When I'd take it What it's used for Relevant to my pathway? (YES/NO)
PSAT 8/9 9th grade
SAT or ACT 11-12th grade
TSI / ASVAB (pick one) post-HS

Bottom line: ONE test most relevant to my pathway: _____. In one sentence, why it matters for MY chosen field:

ONE emerging engineering career I researched today: _____. (d(3)(E), d(1)(D))

Differentiation

  • Support: Simplified PSAT/SAT worksheet with pre-filled rows for PSAT 8/9 and SAT. Students fill in only the tests relevant to their pathway.
  • Extension: Research the average SAT math score required for admission to Texas engineering programs (UT Austin, Texas A&M, UT Dallas). What would you need to score?
  • ELL: Bilingual test comparison cards (College Board publishes SAT prep materials in Spanish). Pre-teach: Standardized Test = Examen estandarizado, Admission = Admisión, Score = Puntuación.