PSAT Overview

The PSAT 10 or 8/9 and NMSQT (or National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) are a preliminary version of the SAT. While it is not counted on college applications for admission, it is much more than a practice test. Success on the PSAT can be a mark of distinction, elevating the competitive candidacy of the student as well as providing the possibility for scholarship funding. This test is also required for a student to be considered for the elite rankings of National Merit Scholarship Finalist, National Achievement Scholarship Finalist, or Commended Scholar.

An effective PSAT preparation course can help secure additional merit-based scholarship funding and lays the foundation for subsequent success on the SAT and ACT by uncovering a student’s strengths and areas of improvement early. Reach out to us to see how we can prepare your student to reach their score potential.

The PSAT consists of four required sections with a total of 139 questions.

Each of the two sections is scored between 160 to 760, for a possible score range of 320 to 1520. Because there is no penalty for incorrect answers, students should guess even if it means filling in random answer choices.

Most students take the PSAT 10 during the fall of 10th grade and the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall of 11th grade. Only 11th grade students are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Some schools may choose to provide the PSAT 10 in the spring of 10th grade rather than the fall.

In 2022, the tentative test dates are October 12, October 15, and October 25. The respective schools determine the specific date, so contact your school’s Principal’s Office or College Counselor to find more information.

The scholarship was established in 1955 and identifies and honors academically talented U.S. high school students.

About 34,000 of the approximately 50,000 highest scorers on the PSAT nationally fall into the category of Commended Student. The remaining portion become semi-finalists.

Semi-finalists are then required to fill out an application and take the SAT or the ACT by December of their senior year. Students that score well enough to confirm their PSAT performance become finalists. In February, approximately 8,200 seniors advance to the final stage of the competition and receive a certificate from school principals.

The ~8,200 finalists are then awarded one of three Merit Scholarships based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments evaluated through the following factors:

• Academic record in the context of a school’s curriculum and grading system
• Two sets of test scores—the PSAT and either the SAT or the ACT
• A school’s official recommendation
• Information about extracurricular activities and leadership
• The finalist’s personal essay

There are three types of Merit Scholarships a student could be awarded, and students will be notified if they have won between March and mid-June of their senior year.

• National Merit $2,500 Scholarship: Every finalist competes for these single payment scholarships, which are awarded on a state representational basis
• Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship Award: Corporate sponsors designate awards to finalists that are either: 1) finalists with career plans the sponsor wishes to encourage, 2) children of employees or members, 3) residents of a community where a company operates
• College-sponsored Merit Scholarship Award: Officials of each college select winners of their awards from finalists that have been accepted and previously designated that college or university as their first choice; these awards are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study

For more information about the National Merit Scholarship Program, visit their website here.

The 2021-2022 PSAT registration fee is $18, although some schools may charge an additional fee to offset some of their cost to administer the test. PSAT fee waivers are available, but only for a student’s 11th grade test. If you need scholarship support, contact your school’s college counselor or principal.

The PSAT provides a variety of accommodations: extended time and multiple-day testing, large print test booklets and large block answer sheets, computer-based testing, and accommodations for additional physical disabilities. You can find the full list of possible accommodations here.

It can take up to seven weeks for the College Board to approve accommodations requests, so start working with your school counselor early to submit your request. You can find more information about requesting accommodations on the College Board’s Accommodations page here.