The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) serves two purposes: it provides practice for the SAT and it is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Taken by approximately 1.4 million students each year (primarily juniors), it identifies the top-scoring students for academic recognition and scholarship opportunities.
10 steps across 1 sections
1. Steps Process
- Register through your high school. The PSAT is administered at your school, typically in October of junior year. Registration is handled by your school's guidance office. The test fee is approximat...
- Understand the test format. The PSAT mirrors the SAT in structure but is slightly shorter:
- Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section
- Math section (with and without calculator)
- Total score range: 320-1520 (compared to SAT's 400-1600)
- Test duration: approximately 2 hours 45 minutes
- Prepare for the test. While the PSAT is lower-stakes than the SAT, preparation matters for National Merit qualification:
- Use official College Board practice materials
- Take practice PSATs available through Khan Academy
- Review the same content areas as SAT prep (reading comprehension, grammar, algebra, geometry, data analysis)
Common Mistakes
- Not taking the PSAT seriously in junior year
- Not knowing your state's cutoff score
- Failing to confirm scores with the SAT
- Missing application deadlines
- Ignoring commended status
Pro Tips
- Take the PSAT as a sophomore for practice
- Research college-sponsored National Merit scholarships
- Check your state's historical cutoffs
- Use the PSAT score report as a diagnostic tool
- Highlight National Merit status in college applications