How to Study for the PSAT: A Parent’s Guide to Supporting Your Student

The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is more than just a practice test for the SAT—it’s a valuable opportunity for students to gauge their strengths and areas for improvement. For some, it’s also a stepping stone to scholarships, like the National Merit Scholarship Program. As a parent, you play a crucial role in helping your child prepare effectively. By creating a supportive environment and offering strategic guidance, you can make their PSAT study process both productive and manageable.

Everything You Need To Know About How to Study for the PSAT

1. Understand the Importance of the PSAT

The PSAT isn’t just a warm-up for the SAT; it’s a test that serves multiple purposes:

• Practice for Standardized Tests: It familiarizes students with the structure, content, and timing of the SAT.
• National Merit Scholarship Qualification: High scores can qualify juniors for scholarships and recognition programs.
• Skill Assessment: It highlights areas where students excel and where they need improvement.

Knowing these benefits can help your student take the PSAT seriously while maintaining a healthy balance of focus and confidence.

2. Help Your Student Create a Study Plan

A structured study plan is essential for effective preparation. Work with your child to:

• Set Goals: Discuss what they hope to achieve, whether it's improving their math skills, building test-taking stamina, or aiming for a National Merit score.
• Establish a Timeline: Ideally, preparation should start several months before the test. Break the timeline into manageable study blocks.
• Allocate Time Wisely: Divide study sessions among the test sections—Reading, Writing and Language, and Math—based on their strengths and weaknesses.

Encourage your student to follow a consistent schedule, balancing PSAT prep with schoolwork and extracurriculars.

3. Use High-Quality Practice Resources

Investing in the right study materials can make a significant difference. Here are some resources to consider:

• Official PSAT Practice Tests: Available on the College Board website, these are the most accurate representation of the test.
• Study Guides and Workbooks: Look for materials that include practice questions, explanations, and test-taking strategies.
• Online Platforms: Websites and apps like Khan Academy offer free PSAT prep tailored to individual needs.
• Tutoring Services: If your child struggles with specific subjects, consider a tutor to provide focused instruction.

These resources will not only prepare them for the PSAT but also build skills they’ll use for the SAT and beyond.

4. Focus on Test-Taking Strategies

In addition to mastering content, teach your student strategies for tackling the test effectively:

• Time Management: Practice pacing to ensure they can complete each section without rushing.
• Answering Questions Strategically: Remind them to skip questions they find too difficult and return to them later.
• Eliminating Wrong Answers: Teach them how to narrow down choices to improve their odds when guessing.
• Reading the Instructions: Encourage careful reading of all directions to avoid simple mistakes.

These strategies can reduce stress on test day and improve their overall performance.

5. Build Core Skills for the PSAT

While the PSAT tests specific subjects, it also assesses general academic skills. Encourage your child to:

• Read Widely: Regular reading of diverse materials, such as novels, essays, and news articles, improves comprehension and vocabulary.
• Practice Math Fundamentals: Strengthen their grasp of algebra, geometry, and basic problem-solving techniques.
• Write and Edit: Work on writing and revising essays to build the skills needed for the Writing and Language section.

Building these foundational skills will serve them well for both the PSAT and future academic challenges.

6. Take Practice Tests Regularly

One of the best ways to prepare is by taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions. Practice tests:

• Mimic the test-day experience, helping students get comfortable with the format and timing.
• Identify areas of strength and weakness, providing a clear focus for subsequent study sessions.
• Build test-taking stamina, an essential skill for long standardized tests.
• Review the results with your child to pinpoint mistakes and track their progress over time.

7. Manage Test-Day Stress

The PSAT is important, but it’s not the final word on your child’s academic future. Help them manage stress by:

• Encouraging a Positive Mindset: Focus on effort and improvement rather than perfection.
• Ensuring Adequate Rest: Prioritize sleep, especially in the days leading up to the test.
• Providing Healthy Snacks: A balanced diet supports brain function and concentration.
• Remind your student that the PSAT is a learning experience, and any mistakes made now can be corrected before the SAT.

8. Celebrate Their Progress

Recognize your child’s hard work and milestones throughout the preparation process. Celebrating progress, no matter how small, keeps motivation high and builds confidence. Whether it’s mastering a tricky math concept or improving their practice test score, every step forward is worth acknowledging.

Helping your child learn how to study for the PSAT is about more than just test prep—it’s about teaching them skills they’ll use for the rest of their academic and professional lives. With your support, they can approach the PSAT with confidence, gain valuable insights, and set themselves up for success on future standardized tests.

Preparation is a marathon, not a sprint. Encourage consistency, patience, and a positive outlook. By working together, you can make the PSAT preparation process a rewarding and empowering journey for your student.