Overview of PSAT/NMSQT

Preliminary SAT/National Merit Qualifying Test

The PSAT is administered to high-school sophomores and juniors each October. Not all students take the PSAT as a sophomore. PSAT scores from the junior year count toward eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship, but sophomore PSAT scores do not count. The scores are meant to serve as a rough prediction for scores on the real SAT, which is taken later. PSAT scores range from 20 to 80. To translate a PSAT score to SAT format, multiply the score by 10. While the PSAT is a rough predictor of SAT performance, it does not guarantee accuracy. You can significantly improve your real SAT with early preparation.

How is the PSAT Structured?
The PSAT, like the SAT, consists of Math section and a Verbal section. It also contains an additional section that tests English grammar. The test takes 2 hours to take.

What's the National Merit Scholarship?
Awarded to 7000 students each year, the National Merit Scholarship is sponsored by the NMSC - The National Merit Scholarship Corporation. To find out more, contact the NMSC at (708) 866-5100.

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