![]() Students should be sure to take the PSAT/NMSQT in 11th grade if they are interested in qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship or any other scholarships offered through the test. To register, College Board recommends contacting nearby high schools as early as possible to ensure that your teen gets a spot. ![]() You can use College Board’s School Search tool to find a nearby testing site. However, if your child is homeschooled or if your child’s school does not offer the PSAT, your child can register to take the test at another school. Most schools offer the PSAT and students can typically sign up through their college counselor. “It’s a decision for students and their families,” she says. Eileen Blattner, chair of the guidance department at Shaker Heights High School in Ohio, says that ultimately, deciding to take the test is personal. While taking the PSAT (or the PreACT) has some advantages, it really isn’t a “must”. She says students might be surprised which test ends up being right for them. Taking both tests, Pluckett says, can help students decide which test they will score better on and are more comfortable taking. Wellesley High School offers both the PSAT and the PreACT - an ACT preparatory test. It can also help them decide if the SAT is the right test to take, even if they had planned on taking the ACT, and even if they are considering not taking either the ACT or the SAT. Dana Plunkett, director of guidance at Wellesley High School in Massachusetts, says the PSAT can help students realize possible pathways they had not considered before. When used strategically, the PSAT can be a helpful tool for college-bound - and potentially college-bound - students. However, students don’t need to take the test to get a personalized practice plan - all they have to do is take a few free online quizzes instead. Students can use College Board’s free SAT practice site, created in partnership with Khan Academy, to see a personalized SAT preparation plan based on their PSAT scores. ![]() The PSAT helps students identify their strengths and create SAT study plans. “That’s one of the benefits of the PSAT.” “It’s perfectly fine if don’t score well,” says Lauri Benton, senior director for college counselor engagement at College Board. One of the best things about the PSAT is that it’s a very low-stakes test. Students can take the PSAT 10 in the fall of tenth grade to see what they need to work on, and can even measure their progress by taking it again that spring before taking the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall of eleventh grade. ![]() The PSAT 10 is also offered more frequently than the PSAT/NMSQT: twice a year rather than only once. While students can take the PSAT/NMSQT before eleventh grade, only their score in eleventh grade can qualify for National Merit and other awards. The PSAT 10 and the PSAT/NMSQT have the same content, but only the PSAT/NMSQT can lead to scholarships through National Merit and other providers. The PSAT 8/9 is relatively new and designed for eighth and ninth graders. There are three different versions of the PSAT. Students can use their scores to think strategically about where they will apply to college.įor some students, the PSAT can also mean access to scholarship opportunities. The PSAT is a preparatory test for the SAT with four focus areas: reading, writing, language, and math. And when students take the PSAT/NMSQT during their junior year, they can qualify for scholarships, including the highly selective National Merit Scholarship Program. The test provides a taste of what it’s like to take the SAT, and it can help students strategize as they think about their college applications. For many students, the PSAT is the first formal step on the trek toward college. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |