When you think about standardized tests, your mind probably jumps right to the SAT and the ACT, and perhaps the ISEE if you have a younger student. But there’s another exam that, while it doesn’t directly factor into admissions decisions, is very important for a variety of reasons: the PSAT.

The PSAT stands for the “Preliminary SAT.” As you can imagine from that name, the PSAT exists primarily as a primer for those later tests. It is a chance for younger students to practice the skills that will be required to ace the SAT and ACT. The structure of the test mirrors that of the longer tests, with a variety of types of questions, with strict time limits. Here is a handy diagram of the test structure:

Each section is scored on a scale of 160-760, making a “perfect” PSAT score 1520. The PSAT is taken by entire high school classes in October and is typically taken during sophomore and junior year.

So, to preemptively answer the question you might get from your child in October, why is it important to study for the PSAT? Your child’s scores do not get sent to colleges, so what makes this test so crucial? There are seven (7) reasons to prioritize studying for the PSAT.

01:

Prep for the SAT and ACT

The PSAT is a perfect chance to discover what your student will need to do on the SAT itself. The PSAT is deliberately structured to be similar to the SAT: the only differences are the test is 15 minutes shorter, and there is no essay section. So, studying for the PSAT can look exactly the same as studying for the SAT. But, studying for the PSAT can also inform the ACT, as so many of the skills translate!

The most important skills to develop in order to ace the SAT and ACT are stamina and confidence. Students need to develop the ability to sit still and focus for hours at a time, and also the belief that they can achieve high scores. Studying for the PSAT allows students to develop both of these skills early in their high school career. And moreover, your scores on the PSAT can help you figure out which sections you should prioritize when you begin preparing for the SAT and ACT. For great tips on how to study for both the SAT and PSAT, check out our website!

02:

Identify Test-Taking Strategies

The PSAT is deliberately structured to be similar to the SAT: the only differences are the test is 15 minutes shorter, and there is no essay section. So, studying for the PSAT can look exactly the same as studying for the SAT, and can help you develop your strategies. 

The most important skills to develop in order to ace the SAT is stamina and confidence. Students need to develop the ability to sit still and focus for hours at a time, and also the belief that they can achieve high scores. Studying for the PSAT allows students to develop both of these skills early in their high school career. 

And moreover, your scores on the PSAT can help you figure out which sections you should prioritize when you begin preparing for the SAT. If you score lower on the Reading Section of the PSAT than the math, you now know to prioritize reading when you study for the SAT. For great tips on how to study for both the SAT and PSAT, check out our website!

03
It Helps You Get Noticed By Colleges

Did you ever wonder why your friends got information from certain colleges in the mail? It’s not only because of sports recruiting. The scores you get on the PSAT also put you on the radar for colleges. In addition to qualifying you for scholarships such as NASP or National Merit Scholarships (more on those in a bit,) colleges that want to award money for their own scholarships look at PSAT scores to determine potential candidates. When paying for college, every bit helps, so it’s important to seize those opportunities!

04:

National Merit Scholarships

The PSAT qualifies you for merit-based scholarships like National Merit Scholarships. National Merit Scholarships are awarded to around 50,000 students, comprising the top 5% of PSAT scores in the country. The lower two-thirds of those students receive recognition and letters of commendation, which look fantastic on college applications.

05:

Other Merit Scholarships

But National Merit Scholarships can be even more beneficial than that. The upper third of those students are National Merit Semifinalists. They have the opportunity to submit their high school transcripts and recommendations, with half of those students winning $2,500 in scholarship money and potentially larger gifts from individual colleges. 

National Merit Scholarship also qualifies you for other great scholarships based on you guessed it--Merit!  These scholarships are either Corporate-sponsored merit scholarship awards or college-sponsored awards. Special scholarships are awarded to outstanding students who are not finalists and meet a corporate sponsor’s criteria. Finalists also then qualify for special awards such as tuition, room and board, books, fees, study abroad and even spending cash.   

06:

The NASP

Your PSAT scores also determine if you gain access to the National Achievement Scholarship Program. The NASP is a scholarship program specifically for African American students. Every year they hand out 700 scholarships of $2,500 each. And as is the case with National Merit Scholarships, the possibilities extend beyond those 2,500 dollar checks.  Each year, nearly 5,000 black students are honored. Out of that group, 3,100 get referred to colleges as “promising candidates.”. The PSAT also puts African American students in the National Scholarship service.

07:

My College Quickstart

As a result of taking the PSAT, students gain access to a program called My College Quickstart. It is a free resource that allows students to predict their future SAT score based on their PSAT score and go over questions they missed on the test. It also functions as a college planning tool. Students can see a list of recommended colleges that are a match for their stated degree interest, receive a customized SAT study, and even view majors and career choices that may be a good fit. 

It is important to take the PSAT seriously, and prepare for it as you would for the SAT, ACT, or ISEE. By doing this, you will give your student a head start on the prep for those tests, give them valuable test-taking experience, and even add another accolade to their college application. They’re coming up in October, so it’s time to start prepping. Good luck!