The PSAT: Is It Important?
Absolutely! Every student should take the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) twice in our opinion, the first time being in October of the sophomore year. This sitting serves as a “practice” test for not only the “real” SAT but also the student’s second PSAT (and National Merit Scholarship qualifier) in their junior year. And they should prepare for it by enrolling in a PSAT Study Program in our opinion. (ePrep's program is available at well under $100 in our Online Store!)
The PSAT is co-sponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The PSAT is also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) so you may see it referred to as the PSAT/NMSQT. The test consists of 3 components: Critical Reading, Math, and Writing Skills.
For most students the sophomore sitting of the PSAT will offer the first opportunity/exercise in taking a standardized test associated with college. The PSAT that “counts” is the October sitting of the junior year. It serves several purposes:
- It enters the student into competition for National Merit Scholarships from NMSC.
- The test score will reveal to the student on which areas of study they need to focus for the SAT.
- When the student checks YES to Student Search Service, they will receive information (lots of it!) from colleges.
The PSAT consists of 5 sections totaling 130 minutes
- Critical Reading: 2 sections, 48 questions, 25 minutes each
- Math: 2 sections, 38 questions, 25 minutes each
- Writing Skills: 1 section, 39 questions, 30 minutes
PSAT/NMSQT test scores range from 20 to 80 for each of the 3 components (Critical Reading, Math, Writing Skills). The total test score is referred to as the “Selection Index” and ranges from 60 to 240. According to College Board, the average scores for high school juniors in 2008 were as follows:
- Critical Reading, 47
- Math, 49
- Writing Skills, 46
And for high school sophomores:
- Critical Reading, 42
- Math, 44
- Writing Skills, 41