Can you take the PSAT anytime?

Depending on the school, a 10th grader could take either the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall or the PSAT 10 in the spring. The PSAT/NMSQT can only be taken once per school year, and schools can offer it to students in 10th or 11th grade. In fact, many schools offer it to both grades.

Can you take the PSAT at any time?

Most students take the test in 11th grade, but you could take it in ninth and/or 10th grade for extra practice. Note that only juniors who take the PSAT will be considered for a National Merit Scholarship — sophomores do not qualify.

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.

How do I take the PSAT outside of school?

If your child's school does not offer the PSAT to its students, your child can take the test at another local high school. Use the College Board's PSAT High School Search Tool to find a school in your area that administers the PSAT, then contact that school to inquire about test dates and procedures.

Can you take PSAT in 9th grade?

Yes. Any student can arrange to take the PSAT 10 at a school that offers it. However, we recommend that eighth and ninth graders take the PSAT 8/9.

How to Get a PERFECT Score on the PSAT | Tips, Tricks, and Resources

Is 1200 a good PSAT score?

A good PSAT score is between 1210 and 1520, which would put you in the top 10% of test takers. The average score earned on the PSAT is about 920, and a “perfect” score on the PSAT would be the maximum score of 1520.

Is 1300 a good PSAT score?

If your child scored high (1300 or above):

A high PSAT score is incredibly promising and is an accomplishment to be proud of — but high PSAT scores do not necessarily promise high SAT scores. Students who do well on the PSAT will do well on the SAT only if they continue to work hard!

Is it OK to miss the PSAT?

If your student misses the PSAT/NMSQT in their junior year due to illness or extenuating circumstances, they can take the “alternative testing option.” Students can take the SAT 1 in exchange for the PSAT/NMSQT and the score is converted and used in substitution for the PSAT/NMSQT.

Can I skip my PSAT?

If your child missed the PSAT due to illness, emergency, or other extenuating circumstances, but would still like to be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship Program, contact the National Merit Scholarship Corporation via mail to inquire about alternate testing.

How much does the PSAT cost?

PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and SAT School Day Fees

Schools pay the following fee: SAT School Day test registration: $60 each. PSAT 10 test registration: $18 each. PSAT 8/9 test registration: $14 each.

What are the PSAT dates for 2023?

Because high schools rather than individual test centers administer the PSAT, each school decides when to give the test to its students. The testing window for the 2023 PSAT is between October 2 - October 31.

Should my 10th grader take the PSAT?

Most test-takers should plan on taking the PSAT/NMSQT their sophomore year. While you can't qualify for the National Merit Scholarship in 10th grade, you can gain valuable experience to prepare for your junior year when you can qualify for the scholarship.

How do I register for PSAT 2023?

Students sign up at their high school, not through the College Board. Your child should talk to their school counselor in September to learn about their school's PSAT/NMSQT registration process.

What if I miss my PSAT due to illness?

What if I couldn't take the PSAT? Every year students miss the PSAT for legitimate reasons such as illness. To allow those students the opportunity to compete in National Merit, NMSC has a process known as alternate entry. Students must make a written request to NMSC for an alternate entry application form.

Can you take PSAT in 8th grade?

The PSAT 8/9 is the first test in the College Board's SAT Suite of Assessments. It's given to eighth and ninth graders and can be administered in the fall or spring.

Can you go to college without taking the PSAT?

The biggest difference between the two tests, however, has nothing to do with format and everything to do with function: The PSAT is not used in college admissions.

What happens if you don't take the PSAT in 10th grade?

No. The PSAT in 9th or 10th grade is just for practice, although a high score can qualify you for some great free summer programs at top schools. However, the PSAT in October of your Junior year is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualification Test (NMSQT), and that is kind of a big deal.

Does the PSAT really matter?

For the vast majority of students, the PSAT is simply a dress rehearsal for the SAT. While it's true there are a tiny percentage (around 3%) of 11^th graders who will take the PSAT and qualify for the National Merit Scholarship, it's important to remember that PSAT scores are not used in the college admissions process.

Does PSAT even matter?

While your PSAT scores don't impact college applications, with a good PSAT score you may get a National Merit Scholarship. The NMS benchmark changes year to year, so your best bet is to study hard. Even if you don't meet the PSAT score needed for an NMS, your average PSAT scores can predict your SAT score.

What happens if you don't take the PSAT in 11th grade?

Cons: Students miss out on potential scholarships by not taking the PSAT/NMSQT as a junior. Students won't get to experience a formal SAT testing environment before taking the test. Students are less likely to find out if they'd be better off taking the ACT instead.

Is it better to guess or skip on the PSAT?

While this statement was true a few years ago, it is no longer true. Older versions of the PSAT had a wrong-answer penalty so that students who guessed on questions would not have an advantage over students who left questions blank. This penalty has been removed; make sure you never leave a PSAT question blank!

What age is the PSAT for?

Most students take the PSAT/NMSQT once—in 11th grade. Some schools also offer it to students in 10th grade. They can take it only once per school year. Some scholarship programs only look at the junior year PSAT/NMSQT score.

Is 800 a good PSAT score?

A PSAT score of 850–860 is considered decent and will place your 9th grader in the 50th percentile range. To reach the top 10%, a student needs a score of 1110 or above. To be among the top 1% of 9th grader PSAT test takers, your student would need a score of 1280–1440.

Is 780 a bad PSAT score?

A “good” score could be considered as anything around (or above) the 50th percentile, meaning you performed better than or at least as well as half of your peers. Your score of 780 is close, but not quite there yet.

Is 430 a bad PSAT score?

The College Board has set college readiness benchmarks for each grade. If, as a 10th grader, you score at or above a 430 in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the PSAT 10 and at or above a 480 in Math, you are on track to be college-ready by the time you graduate from high school.