The Importance of the PSAT - the Prelimiary Standard Achievement Test

The PSAT (Prelimiary Standard Achievement Test) serves as practice for the SAT, commonly used in college admissions. It's a standardized test that provides hand-on practice for the SAT Reasoning Test. PSAT scores are intended to serve as prediction for scores on the real SAT (which is taken later). This makes the PSAT a valuable test to take because it can lead to higher results in evaluation for college admission. The PSAT assesses 10th and 11th grade students' verbal, math, and writing skills.

Results of the junior year administration are used to determine eligibility for scholarships and recognition administered by the National Merit and Achievement Scholarship Programs. In addition to the test preparation feature, the PSAT can offer students the opportunity to enter the National Merit Competition.

Only those students who achieve exceptional scores on the test in their 11th grade year are designated eligible for National Merit Scholarship competition in the fall of their senior year as national merit semi-finalists. They may compete for finalist status throughout the school year. Decisions for finalists are made in the following February. While PSAT scores from the junior year count toward eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship, sophomore PSAT scores do not count. Students can sign up at their individual high schools for the October PSAT.

Score reports are mailed to the school principal in late November. Each school decides when and how to distribute the results to students.

Please note that your actual PSAT scores are not sent to colleges. They do not use the results of this test to determine eligibility for admission. Colleges do not look closely at PSAT scores. They are much more interested in whether you received a Merit Scholarship than in your PSAT score.

Successful PSAT and (SAT completion with high scores) may eventually lead to financial gain for tuition. In addition, some students do become candidates for for the award of scholarships granted by other companies and businesses.

Because many schools across the country (at the encouragement and involvement of parents) readily recognize the importance of the PSAT, preparatory tests are even being administered in the earlier grades. Students may be invited or identified to take the PSAT, ACT or SAT as soon as the 7th grade. Preparatory classes can begin as early as the start of the school year.

In addition to a plethora of in-school preparatory classes, there are a number of private test providers and tutors as well. . Note that all suppliers are not the same. Some service providers May have lower standards and levels of success than others. Always ask for and obtain independent 3rd party references. Parents should check with the counselor of their neighborhood high school for information.