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What is the PSAT?

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) is intended to help students prepare for the SAT. The test measures your skills in critical reading, mathematics and writing. It is not a quiz based on specific facts. And don't worry about whether a low PSAT score might prevent you from getting into the college of your choice; the PSAT isn't used to determine college admission.

While the PSAT is shorter than its SAT counterpart, it follows the same general format. Unlike the SAT, there is no essay requirement on the PSAT.

You may sometimes see the test written as "PSAT/NMSQT." The second part stands for National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses PSAT scores to determine how to distribute their national merit-based scholarships. If you score high enough on the PSAT (and meet additional academic requirements), you may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, where you will have a chance to win money for college tuition.

When is the test given?

Contact your high school counselor or principal for test dates and times for your school.

How do I register?

Sign up to take the PSAT at your high school (or a high school in your area). Talk to your guidance counselor or principal about how to sign up and to find out the exact date when your high school will be administering the test. It's also important to note that signing up through your high school is the only way to register for the PSAT. Online registration is not available.

What kinds of questions are on the test?

There are two 25-minute critical reading sections, two 25-minute math sections and one 30-minute writing skills section. The reading section includes sentence completion and short reading comprehension passages. The math section includes algebra, geometry, data analysis, statistics and probability, and word problems. The writing section will test your grammar and spelling but won't include an essay.

Read more about what's on the PSAT and how it's scored.

The general format of the PSAT is similar to that of the SAT, taking the PSAT gives you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the types of questions you'll encounter on the SAT. Other reasons include:

• Your results will reveal your testing strengths and weaknesses and you can concentrate your study efforts on the areas that need improvement.
• A high PSAT score will give you a chance to enter the competition for National Merit Scholarships.
• Your score report will include your percentile, which reveals where your score falls in relation to other students' scores.
• You can receive admission information from colleges by accepting the Student Search Service option. Colleges will send information to you if your scores fall within a certain range. Please note that your actual scores are not sent to those schools.

• Take practice tests. Ask your guidance counselor where you can obtain a copy of a previous test. Your local bookstore or library may also have test-prep books that feature actual PSATs.
• Treat your practice tests as if they were a dry run for the actual test. Time yourself and grade your test when you're finished. You'll be able to see where you might need extra preparation and which questions require more time. The additional experience may also help to reduce your stress on test day.
• Test-prep software is available which offers the benefit of tutoring you as you answer practice questions. They are also a resource for general test-taking tips and strategies.
• Enroll in a test-prep course. While taking a class is probably the most expensive test-prep option, it does offer a chance to ask questions and discuss trouble spots with a teacher.
• Continue to take challenging courses in high school that will hone your problem-solving skills and expand your vocabulary. You'll reap the benefits when it comes time to take the SAT.

PSAT/NMSQT
P.O. Box 6720
Princeton, NJ 08541-6720
Phone: 609-771-7070
www.collegeboard.com
psat@info.collegeboard.org

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