What Is the Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test?

This short version of the SAT1 is administered by the College Board. It includes verbal, math, and writing sections (no essay), and is a useful predictor of your SAT1 scores. Each section has a top score of 80 points, for a maximum total of 240 points. To find out more about the PSAT, visit the College Board website.

Who Takes It?

Students can take the PSAT starting in 9th grade, if permitted by the high school. Scores are not reported to colleges, although colleges can purchase lists of PSAT scores from the College Board to use for targeted outreach to students.

When Is It Administered?

The PSAT is given on either a Tuesday or Saturday during the latter part of October. Your high school will determine when to offer it, and whether to allow students other than juniors to take the test.

Where Can You Take It?

The PSAT is usually administered at the student's high school, by school or district staff.

Why Should You Take It?

Taking the PSAT is excellent preparation for the SAT1. It is a no-lose proposition, because colleges do not receive your score unless you report it yourself.

The junior-year PSAT also serves as the Qualifying Test for the National Merit Scholarship competition. Students who score in the top 1 percent or so from each state advance to the National Merit Semi-Finalist status, and then compete for Finalist on the basis of grades, SAT1 scores, recommendations, and an essay. In Washington State in 2004, the cutoff for Semi-Finalist was 214. To qualify for National Merit Commended Scholar, the cutoff is about 200. Read more about the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

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