Whether you know where your career path is taking you, the PSAT is a highly beneficial exam to provide insight into your strengths and weaknesses in preparation for the SAT.
The PSAT, or the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, is a standardized test issued by the College Board that measures a student’s reading and mathematical skills associated with academic achievement for college. The given exams are the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and the PSAT/NMSQT.
These exams are tailored to different grade levels from eighth through eleventh, providing students with an understanding of their college or career path as it is specialized for each students’ academic level.
Though the PSAT isn’t required for certain colleges or universities, it provides a better understanding of one’s academic abilities and gives students the upper hand when taking the SAT.
Furthermore, the structure and content of the PSAT is less rigorous compared to the SAT because it’s slightly shorter, timewise as well.
Most people refer to the PSAT/NMSQT when discussing the prospects of this exam. It’s administered in the fall of one’s junior year. It’s composed of two sections: evidence based reading and math. This PSAT differs from the others as a sufficient score can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship.
It’s understandable that there is a heavy workload of stress upon 11th graders, but taking the PSAT holds significant benefits as a student who takes the test and understands the structure and main concepts. They have a higher chance of maximizing their score than someone who doesn’t know what to expect.
College Board purposefully constructed the SAT to be unique in order to respond to each student’s academic strengths efficiently. It shouldn’t be compared to a high school exam, that is to say.
The PSAT prepares students for the SAT as they are quite similar. The practice SAT is composed of a reading and math section which takes about two hours to complete. On the other hand, the SAT includes an optional essay portion with related sections that are more advanced, which takes about three hours.
By taking the PSAT before senior year, students will know how to manage their time before the test as they are going to be studying efficiently. The PSAT is closely related to the SAT, which means that students will be more than ready to take the SAT. In addition, taking the PSAT more than once is going to give a generalized idea on how one is going to perform on the SAT.
By receiving a higher score on the SAT, you will have an advantage in the college admissions selection process, compared to other students who only get one shot at an unfamiliar exam.
On the other hand, Advanced Placement (AP) courses are intended for students who are encouraged to go above and beyond their classmates with their skills and motivation. The tests involve multiple sections that can range from writing, multiple choice, or speaking, depending on the subject. As the Advanced Placement exams are also rigorous, students who have taken the PSAT earlier aren’t going to have any issues when taking a college-issued test, as they are familiar with the requirements and expectations.
Another great benefit of taking the PSAT is that 11th graders have the opportunity to receive the National Merit Scholarship. It’s a prestigious award for high performing students on the PSAT, which is a sum of $2500 to assist in one’s tuition to a college or university. This goes without saying that college tuition is expensive. For the 2024-2025 school year, the average college tuition for a public, in-state university is around $11,000, while it would be around $24,000 out of state.
Divvya Innawalli, a sophomore, shares her opinion in regards to taking the PSAT.
“If you’re thinking about taking the SAT, definitely take the PSAT,” Innawalli said. “I’d say it’s good because it really helped me with testing skills because now I know what to look for.”
Caleb Leung, a senior, shares his experiences with the exam.
“I think it did prepare me for the SAT because the structure was similar and the content was easier,” Leung said. “It was before I even took any AP tests as well. It was one of my first external exams.”
Colleges that require the SAT in the selection process vary–so it’s a good idea to start thinking about where you are headed. Students who take the PSAT receive accurate information on areas of improvement.
If the college you have set your eye on takes the SAT into consideration, the PSAT is a great place to start.
