Hey everyone! As a current high school junior, I'm trying to map out my standardized testing plan. I know the PSAT is a big deal for National Merit Scholarships. Could someone clarify in which grade most students take the PSAT to qualify for National Merit? Also, how important is it to prep for this exam compared to the actual SAT?
Hey there! I'm glad to see that you're planning ahead for your standardized tests. The PSAT/NMSQT, which stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, is most commonly taken in the fall of your junior year. This is the PSAT that counts for National Merit Scholarship consideration. Although some students also take it in the 10th grade for practice, only the scores from your junior year are used to determine National Merit eligibility.
As for preparation, it's definitely a good idea to prep for the PSAT if you're aiming for a National Merit Scholarship, as the competition can be quite fierce. It's formatted similarly to the SAT, so studying for the PSAT can also give you a head start on preparing for the SAT. Make sure to review the types of questions you'll encounter and take a couple of practice tests to get familiar with the timing and layout.
Resources like Khan Academy and the official PSAT practice tests are great places to start. Also check out 黑料不打烊's many articles on the PSAT:
Best of luck in your preparation, and remember, a strong PSAT score can open up a lot of opportunities for you!
黑料不打烊鈥檚 Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.