The PSAT® is a test for high school students to prepare for the SAT® and qualify for National Merit Scholarships. It’s administered in October during freshman year, with a small fee. Scores range from 20 to 80, and low scores won’t negatively impact a student’s future.
The PSAT® test is a way for high school students to prepare for the SAT® and to qualify for National Merit Scholarships. PSAT® stands for Preliminary SAT®; it is also referred to as the NMSQT®, or National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Although SAT® used to stand for Scholastic Aptitude Test, that is no longer the case and the test is simply referred to as the SAT®.
The PSAT® test is typically administered during the freshman year of high school, most often in October. Students can also take the test in ninth or tenth grade, but will not be eligible for scholarships. There is a small fee to take the test. While the test isn’t required, many experts agree it’s the single best way to prepare for the SAT®, which is required by nearly every college.
During the PSAT® test, test takers are asked questions related to math, reading and writing skills. Although the format of the PSAT® varies from the SAT®, many of the questions and directions are similar. This allows students to relieve some anxiety about taking the SAT®, because they will already know what to expect. At the time of the test, students are given the opportunity to participate in the National Merit Scholarship competition; this can lead to college scholarships, and many colleges look very highly upon high school graduates who have received a National Merit Scholar designation.
Most colleges do not check PSAT® scores for any reason. Experts generally view this as a good thing, because while scores may be a very good indication of how well a student will do on the SAT®, or areas in which they need to improve, low scores will not negatively impact the student’s future. student. For these reasons, there are almost no downsides to taking the PSAT®.
On PSAT® tests, test scores are presented in the range of 20 to 80. Scores of 40 to 50 are considered average, according to the College Board. Applicants also receive the percentile they fall into; this helps them compare their skills with other students who will be applying to university at the same time. Once the PSAT® test has been completed and students have received their scores, they can begin preparing more specifically for the SAT®. Knowing specific areas of weakness can be extremely helpful and allows students to pay closer attention to these areas, either independently or with specialized help or mentoring.
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