Can you be a National Merit Scholar without taking the PSAT?

To enter the competition, a high school student must take the PSAT/NMSQT^® at a local high school or approved location in the specified year of high school and meet NMSC's published program participation requirements. See "Entry Requirements" for further information.

Can you qualify for National Merit without the PSAT?

The PSAT/NMSQT in junior year is the traditional route to National Merit. However, there is an alternate path via the SAT for students who were unable to take the PSAT in the fall.

Does the PSAT matter for National Merit?

The PSAT gives you an opportunity to understand the standardized test experience. Your scores will not be sent to colleges and do not impact your high school grades. You should still take this test seriously: PSAT scores determine your eligibility for National Merit Scholarships.

What happens if I don't take the PSAT?

The PSAT (whether you're a sophomore or a junior, in fact) is not required, and deciding not to take it will not have any negative effects on your college admissions decisions.

Do you need to take the PSAT to get a scholarship?

National Merit Scholarship Requirements

The criteria for qualifying is as follows: You must take the PSAT/NMSQT in your third year (junior year) of high school. You must be enrolled as a high school student in either a traditional or homeschool setting.

How to Win a National Merit Scholarship | PSAT Tips

Can I refuse to take the PSAT?

Students who want to limit the tests they take can skip the PSAT altogether and take the SAT in the spring of junior year. They can take it again in the fall of senior year if they want to try to improve their scores.

What qualifies as a National Merit Scholar?

In order to be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship Program, a student must: 1) take the PSAT/NMSQT during his or her 3rd year (junior year) of high school 2) be enrolled as a high school student (traditional or homeschooled) and plan to enroll in college full time by the fall after his or her high school ...

Is it optional to take the PSAT?

In general, the PSAT is an optional test that serves mainly as practice for the SAT and for qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Most high schools encourage students to take it for these reasons, but it's not strictly required by the schools themselves.

What if the PSAT is not offered at my school?

If your school does not offer the PSAT, talk to your counselor or school administrator to find alternate locations. Each high school will choose one test date in October from the options offered by the College Board—one of which is a primary nationwide test date every October, and two of which are alternates.

Does sophomore year PSAT matter?

If you aim to achieve a qualifying National Merit score, it is even more important to take PSAT as a sophomore for practice. Apart from preparing you for next year's PSAT, the test will also help you prepare for other significantly important tests for college, such as the SAT.

Does a 1400 PSAT qualify for National Merit?

Does a 1400 PSAT Qualify for National Merit? Based on the scores of real grade 11 students who took the PSAT, a score of 1400 puts you in the 97th percentile. You may not qualify for the National Merit Scholarship with this score: it also depends on the cut-off scores of your state.

How to convert PSAT to National Merit?

The Selection Index is a weighting of your PSAT component scores to determines the level of your recognition within the initial stages of the National Merit program. How is the Selection Index calculated? The Selection Index is double the sum of your Reading and Writing (RW) score, and Math score divided by 10.

What PSAT score do you need for National Merit 2023?

Overall, you need to get a section score above 715 on both sections of the PSAT to compete for National Merit, with some states requiring even higher section scores. Again, aim for a few points higher than the minimum, as cutoffs can vary somewhat from year to year.

When should I take PSAT for National Merit?

Students who plan to take five years to complete grades 9 through 12 can participate in the National Merit Program if they take the PSAT/NMSQT in the third year of high school and again in the fourth year.

Should my 10th grader take the PSAT?

If your child is in 10th grade, they can benefit from taking the PSAT 10 in several ways. It identifies their academic strengths and weaknesses early in high school, when there's plenty of time to improve before college. It lets them know which Advanced Placement (AP) courses they're most likely to do well in.

Does the PSAT matter in 11th grade?

Yes, but only certain students (typically students in 11th grade) are eligible to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program, as described in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide. The PSAT/NMSQT is designed to be grade appropriate for 10th and 11th graders.

Do colleges care if you are a National Merit Scholar?

While the size of the award isn't as generous as other programs you'll find in your quest to find and win scholarships, it's worth educating yourself on this award for one huge, added benefit: being a National Merit Scholar can provide a powerful boost to your college application.

What PSAT score do you need for National Merit Scholar?

The Selection Index ranges from 48-228 and is equal to the sum of your test scores for Math, Reading, and Writing and Language. For the 2022 scholarship cycle, 207 represented the national qualifying score cutoff.

How rare is a National Merit Scholar?

A specific number of students, which varies each year, advance to Finalist standing based on these criteria. At the end of the competition, a select group of Finalists are chosen to receive $2500 National Merit Scholarships. Scholarship winners represent less than 1% of the initial pool of student entrants.

Is 1470 PSAT enough for National Merit?

To be competitive for National Merit Semifinalist status, students need to score about 1400 on the PSAT in less competitive states like Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota . . . or about 1470 on the PSAT in more competitive states like Connecticut or New Jersey.

Is National Merit worth it?

In addition, being named a National Merit Scholar comes with financial benefits. Many colleges and universities offer substantial scholarships specifically for National Merit Scholars. These scholarships can cover full tuition, room and board, or other expenses, depending on the school.

What is a bad PSAT score?

Below Average Overall PSAT Scores: 950 or Below.

How rare is a 1500 PSAT?

In 2024, a PSAT score of 1500-1520 would be considered an exceptionally strong score for any student. This score should place a student in the 1st percentile of all test takers, meaning that students scoring in this range have performed better than 99% of students who take this test.

Is 1420 PSAT good enough for National Merit?

To begin with, the PSAT score range is from 320 to 1520.

The average PSAT score is around 920 (460 in Math and 460 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing), while an outstanding PSAT score (one that will qualify you as a National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist) is between 1420 and 1480.