The PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The PSAT is an excellent primer for the SAT and even the ACT, but it is more than just a trial run. PSAT scores are used to identify National Merit Scholars and award merit scholarships. More than 3.4 million high school students (mostly juniors and sophomores) take this nationwide, multiple-choice test every year.
What is the PSAT, and why is it important?
The PSAT will not count towards students' college admissions applications, but it is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship. Some of the highest-scoring students may win scholarship money, so while students should not stress out about the PSAT, they certainly should not ignore it either. Use the PSAT as practice for the SAT and ACT and an important guidepost on college admissions journey.
The PSAT is the Preliminary SAT. While colleges do not consider PSAT scores as part of their college admissions criteria, we recommend that you take it. Here’s why.
THE PSAT FAMILIARIZES YOU WITH THE TEST QUESTIONS AND FORMAT OF THE SAT.
Lots of students wonder about the difference between the PSAT and SAT. The PSAT is not an exact replica of the SAT, but the questions, test formats, and scoring are similar. The PSAT, like the SAT, includes three multiple-choice tests: Reading, Writing and Language, and Mathematics. It does not include the SAT’s optional essay test.
YOU’LL GET A “REHEARSAL” FOR TEST DAY.
Taking the PSAT in a classroom, with other students, under strict time limits with a proctor present is the closest simulation you’ll get to taking the actual SAT. This “dry run” may help you feel less nervous when you take the SAT.
YOUR PSAT RESULTS CAN GUIDE YOUR TEST PREP.
Your PSAT scores should highlight your strengths and areas of improvement that you need to work on before taking the SAT.
COLLEGES WILL NOT SEE YOUR PSAT SCORES.
Your PSAT scores are not considered by colleges as part of their college admissions criteria and are not provided to them. However, by checking “yes” to the Student Search Service question on the PSAT, you are giving the College Board permission to provide colleges and scholarship organizations with limited personal information about you, which may provide you access to over $300 million in scholarships.
YOU MIGHT QUALIFY FOR THE NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP.
When you take the PSAT, you may earn a qualifying score to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program and compete for national recognition and college scholarships. To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, you must also satisfy high academic standards and other requirements.
COLLEGES MIGHT TRY TO RECRUIT YOU.
If you give the College Board permission to release information about you to colleges and scholarship providers, be prepared to be inundated with mail, email, and invitations to apply. While this can be overwhelming, it also provides an opportunity to learn about schools and programs that you might not have considered.
WHERE AND WHEN TO TAKE THE PSAT.
We will be letting you know about the date and time for the test and prepare you for it.