What is the PSAT and why is it important?
The PSAT is a nationwide, multiple-choice test taken by about 3.4 million high school students every year–mostly sophomores and juniors. It's a great primer for the SAT® and even the ACT®.
The PSAT doesn't count towards your college admissions. However, it is the qualifying test for National Merit Scholarships. That means that the highest scoring students may win scholarship money. So while you shouldn't stress about the PSAT, you also shouldn't ignore it.
How do I register?
Sign up at your high school or at a school in your community.
How can I prepare?
We can help. We have prep courses for every student and every budget.
An expert in your corner, every step of the way.
Finding the perfect tutor for you
To help you reach your goals, we need to know all we can about you, your personality and your interests. We'll inquire about the scores you want, the schools you like, the way you learn and the schedule you keep.
Getting started
You'll receive your study materials and take a practice test so that your tutor can create an initial prep plan based on your results.
Diving into prep
Your tutoring lessons will focus on reinforcing strengths and building your confidence with our exclusive test-taking strategies and methods.
Assessing your progress
Your tutor will chart your course using drills and proctored exams to set benchmarks for progress.
Going the distance
We'll work with you from your first day of prep until you receive those coveted acceptance letters.
PSAT is a registered trademark of the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation which were not involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this product.
PSAT | SAT | |||
Questions | Timings | Questions | Timings | |
Reading | 47 questions | 60 minutes | 52 questions | 65 minutes |
Writing | 44 questions | 35 minutes | 44 questions | 35 minutes |
Math – No Calculator | ~17 questions | 25 minutes | 20 questions | 25 minutes |
Math – Calculator | ~31 questions | 45 minutes | 38 questions | 55 minutes |
PSAT is a registered trademark of the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation which were not involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this product.
Qualifying Test also known as the PSAT
Each year, over 3.5 million high school students take the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, also known as the PSAT. This test helps you prepare for the SAT while determining your eligibility for a National Merit Scholarship. The PSAT offers you the chance to improve your test–taking skills with no negative consequences; your results will have no bearing on college admissions or your high school transcript. And if you do well, you could earn more than bragging rights—you could win money for college.
Not Just Another Test: Understanding the PSAT
Most students take the PSAT at their high school in the fall of their sophomore or junior year. Inquire with a teacher or guidance counselor as to when the test will be offered and how to sign up. Many students do not prepare for the PSAT. However, if you choose to do so, you will gain a significance advantage over your peers.
Show Me the (Potential) Money
Winning a National Merit Scholarship is no easy task. Each year, approximately 50,000 students (out of 1.4 million juniors) qualify for recognition based on their high PSAT scores. Around 34,000 of these students receive Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. While these letters don't include a scholarship check, they look good to admissions offices and can be listed on your college application. The remaining 16,000 students or so—those whose scores put them in the top 99th percentile in their state—become National Merit Semifinalists. Of these, around half win scholarships after submitting their high school records, as well as recommendations from teachers and a personal essay. Some students win a $2500 scholarship from the National Merit Corporation, while others may win larger awards from colleges hoping to attract top scorers.
To Take the PSAT or Not Take, That is the Question
Even if you do not ultimately qualify for a scholarship, taking the PSAT has several benefits. The PSAT is great practice for the SAT. Both require you to use your critical thinking skills to answer multiple–choice questions within a fixed amount of time. The more comfortable you are with this format, the better your SAT scores will be. The PSAT can also give you a general idea of how well you'll do on the SAT. This will help you figure out which colleges to begin considering, as well as which areas of knowledge to brush up on.
PSAT is a registered trademark of the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation which were not involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this product.
What is the PSAT and why is it important?
The PSAT is a nationwide, multiple-choice test taken by about 3.4 million high school students every year–mostly sophomores and juniors. It's a great primer for the SAT® and even the ACT®.
The PSAT doesn't count towards your college admissions. However, it is the qualifying test for National Merit Scholarships. That means that the highest scoring students may win scholarship money. So while you shouldn't stress about the PSAT, you also shouldn't ignore it.
How do I register?
Sign up at your high school or at a school in your community.
How can I prepare?
We can help. We have prep courses for every student and every budget.
An expert in your corner, every step of the way.
Finding the perfect tutor for you
To help you reach your goals, we need to know all we can about you, your personality and your interests. We'll inquire about the scores you want, the schools you like, the way you learn and the schedule you keep.
Getting started
You'll receive your study materials and take a practice test so that your tutor can create an initial prep plan based on your results.
Diving into prep
Your tutoring lessons will focus on reinforcing strengths and building your confidence with our exclusive test-taking strategies and methods.
Assessing your progress
Your tutor will chart your course using drills and proctored exams to set benchmarks for progress.
Going the distance
We'll work with you from your first day of prep until you receive those coveted acceptance letters.
PSAT is a registered trademark of the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation which were not involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this product.