The PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The PSAT is a great primer for the SAT, and even the ACT, but it’s more than just a trial run. PSAT scores are used to identify National Merit Scholars and award merit scholarships.
The PSAT/NMSQT is a test for current high school juniors. Only current juniors may use their test score as a qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship. However, current high school sophomores may take the test as a practice run before taking it as a qualifier during their junior year.
The PSAT won’t count towards your college admissions applications, but it is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship. Some of the highest scoring students may win scholarship money, so while you shouldn’t stress out about the PSAT, you certainly shouldn’t ignore it either. Use the PSAT as practice for the SAT and ACT and an important guidepost on your college admissions journey.
For more information, read this article from The Princeton Review.
