The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a standardized test administered by The College Board for 8th-11th grade students. There are different versions of the test intended to capture benchmark scores for students in grades 8/9, 10, and 11. While there can be compelling reasons to take the PSAT in each of its versions, a high school junior should definitely consider taking the PSAT for both practical and strategic reasons.
National Merit Scholarship Eligibility
Probably the best-known reason that high school juniors should take the PSAT is that it is the official National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). Only high school juniors are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship Program based on their PSAT/NMSQT scores. Even if you took a PSAT in 10th grade (or before) and achieved a perfect score, only the junior year PSAT counts as the National Merit Qualifying exam. The PSAT/NMSQT is administered in October, and most students who choose to take it do so at their high school.
Why is the National Merit Scholarship Program a big deal?
High scorers (top ~1%) on the junior PSAT can become National Merit Semifinalists and potentially earn:
- Scholarships from colleges
- Corporate-sponsored scholarships
- National Merit $2,500 Scholarships
Qualifying as a National Merit Semifinalist is the first step to becoming a National Merit Finalist. About 95% of Semifinalists become Finalists, an accolade that makes you an attractive candidate at many colleges.
According to the National Merit Scholarship Program website:
Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements, which are provided in the information they receive with their scholarship applications. These include completing an application, having a consistently very high academic record, writing an essay, being endorsed and recommended by a school official, and taking the SAT® or ACT® and earning a score that confirms the PSAT/NMSQT performance.
SAT Practice (Without the Pressure)
The PSAT and the SAT have the same structure and are the same length, but the PSAT has the big perk of not counting toward college admissions.
For high school juniors, taking the PSAT is a low-stakes way to better understand:
- The test format
- Timing and pacing
- Types of questions asked
- Content mastery
Having familiarity with the test can help increase confidence when students go to take the actual SAT. Testing confidence should not be discounted as a meaningful factor in standardized test success.
Score Insights + College Readiness
Your PSAT Score Insights give a detailed breakdown of your strengths and weaknesses with respect to the test content. These results can help guide:
- Efficient, strategic SAT prep (Study Smarter can help!)
- Course choices for senior year
- An initial idea of target colleges based on score ranges
Think of your PSAT results as a gauge of what opportunities are appropriate for you at this point in time. If those opportunities do not align with your expectations, you have time to both improve your test scores and research better fit college options.
Taking the PSAT and seeing your score can motivate more focused SAT prep. Your results can also help you set realistic but ambitious college goals based on score ranges and potential improvements with diligent practice. Taking the PSAT as a junior is smart preparation, a potential scholarship gateway, and a helpful reality check before the actual SAT.
Smarter Admissions 
Leave a comment