Students take the PSAT during school hours in the month of October. The actual date is set by the school where the student is scheduled. Not all schools offer the PSAT, and the ones that do may charge students a fee. The PSAT is most important for 11th graders, because it allows them to [...]

The PSAT 10/11 is taken by 10th and 11th graders in high school, generally in October. 11th graders use the PSAT 10/11 to compete in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. The PSAT 8/9 is for 8th and 9th grade students as a "pre-pre-SAT." Both tests are structured exactly like the Digital SAT for college admissions [...]

The best score on the PSAT is one that places you among the top 1% of test takers in your state, which qualifies you for the designation, “National Merit Semifinalist.” Across all 50 states, the average cutoff score in 2023 was a 214; however, your state could be higher or lower. For academically competitive [...]

Your PSAT score report will show two primary scores: Total Score and NMSC Selection Index score. The Total Score is similar to an SAT score but the range is only a 320 to 1520 instead of 400 to 1600. The Selection Index is used to determine your eligibility for a National Merit Scholarship. The Selection [...]

It’s good practice for the SAT and ACT. For the moment, these college admissions tests remain very important for most students and the colleges they’re applying to. The sooner you start preparing, the more likely you are to earn a high score. You could win a big scholarship. Students scoring in the top 5% and [...]

The National Merit Scholarship recognizes the top college-bound seniors by PSAT score. “Commended” scholars are the top 5% of PSAT test-takers nationwide. The more prestigious “Semifinalist” scholars are the top 1% of PSAT test-takers in each state. Most Semifinalists go on to become Finalists and are eligible for big scholarships including entirely free tuition, room, [...]

The PSAT is essentially a practice test for the SAT. About half of juniors nationwide will take the PSAT primarily as a way of qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship program. NMQST stands for “National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test,” which just means that you take the PSAT in order to qualify for the National [...]