Many students feel unsure if they should take the PSAT or if it is worth taking seriously. Some have called the PSAT a prelude to the SAT or an SAT that doesn’t count. But this label may be a bit unfair because taking the PSAT offers some distinct advantages. This article will explain what the PSAT is all about and some of the benefits of taking the exam.
What Exactly is the PSAT?
- The PSAT, or the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, is a standardized practice exam that acts as a shorter and less intense version of the SAT, which students take during their Junior and Senior years.
- The PSAT is a blanket term to describe three tests: the PSAT 8/9, the PSAT 10, and the PSAT/NMSQT.
- The types of PSAT tests are for students at different grade levels, and as such, a student may take all three or just one. Each test has its advantages and incentives to make it worth it for students.
Which PSAT Test Should I Take?
- The PSAT 8/9 is for students that are in the 8th or 9th grades. Some advantages of taking this test are measuring how much one has learned in school, helping students choose AP courses for high school, and practicing for the PSAT/NMSQT.
- The PSAT 10 and the PSAT/NMSQT are standardized practice exams for the SAT. The former is for sophomores, and the latter is for juniors. But the PSAT/NMSQT is the only exam that can determine eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship, which can save students a lot in college tuition fees.
Benefits of Taking the PSAT
- Students can take all three types of PSAT exams and reap different benefits from each exam.
- By taking the PSAT, students can pick their AP classes, prepare for the SAT, and become eligible for the National Merit Scholarship.
Things Students Should Keep In Mind About the PSAT
- The PSAT tests typically cost around $16 to $18. The ones taken in the 8th and 9th grades cost a little bit less. Some schools will cover the cost of the tests or waive the fee for one or more PSAT.
- These tests take a little under 3 hours to complete, with the PSAT 8/9 taking 2 hours and 25 minutes, while the PSAT 10 & the PSAT/NMSQT take 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete.
- The PSAT 8/9 can be taken from September to March, depending on when the school decides to give it out. Students can also take it in mid-April. Schools off the PSAT 10 & PSAT/NMSQT in the fall, usually around October.
Conclusion – Should Students Take the PSAT?
The collegiate response to COVID-19 means that the SAT is not as important as it once was, but that does not mean that students shouldn’t take it. Students should take the PSAT if they are looking to figure out which AP classes to take, get into a competitive college, or save money on tuition.
In future blogs, we will go over the content and best practices for the PSAT and give more information about how National Merit Scholarships work, but for now, if you can overlook the minute cost of taking it, the PSAT is worth it.
