Getting Students Ready for the PSAT

School is in session which means the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is upon us.

Most people assume that the PSAT is simply a practice exam for the SAT. However it is much more than that. The best performers in 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th grades can qualify for the National Merit Scholarships.

National Merit Scholarship consideration is awarded to the top 50,000 students for each year’s exam. Consideration is very prestigious and can be advantageous on a college application.

About two-thirds of the top students are eventually notified of a simple commendation, while 16,000 students become semifinalists. The latter group represents the top performers in state-wide performance, and the cut-off varies from state to state, so the competition is not a complete meritocracy, as some states have lower scores.

Of the top 16,000 students, 7,400 are chosen to receive final National Merit Scholarship awards of $2,500are given to 7,400 students based on abilities, skills, and accomplishments. Criteria includes the finalist's academic record, information about the school's curricula and grading system, two sets of test scores, the high school official's written recommendation, information about the student's activities and leadership, and the finalist's own essay.

Students can also be awarded corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships or college-sponsored Merit Scholarships.

In addition, some colleges offer additional scholarships to students who place in the national competition and name their school as their first choice during the finalists’ vetting process. Further, National Merit Scholarship Finalists who do not win awards can check to see if their school will offer a separate scholarship for their PSAT performance. Many do.

Preparation and Other Similar Tests

This year the PSAT is slated for Saturday, October 1^st. Alternate dates are Saturday, October 15^th and Wednesday, November 2 ^nd.

Preparation is worth students’ time, not just for the National Merit Scholar competition, but also as preparation for the SAT. The first SAT of the year will be held on the first Saturday of October. Juniors can prepare for both at the same time.

The College Board offers students who want to prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT a series of sample questions and essays online. There is also a full-length preparatory test online. The Board also suggests that students who want more practice use Khan Academy’s Official SAT Academy.

Earlier preparatory exam are available for younger students: the PSAT 8/9 for eight graders and freshman, which is also taken in the fall, and the PSAT 10 which is available to sophomores in the spring and covers the same materials as the PSAT, but does not allow students to qualify for National Merit Scholar recognition.