The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT. It also gives you a chance to enter the NMSC scholarship program & gain access to college & career planning tools.
The PSAT Measures:
- Critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, and writing skills. You have developed these skills over many years, both in and out of school. This test doesn't require you to recall specific facts from your classes.
The Most Common Reasons for Taking the PSAT/NMSQT are to:
- Receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. Now you can focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
- See how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
- Enter the competition for scholarships from NMSC (grade 11 only).
- Help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and exact directions you will see on the SAT.
- Receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service.