Is the PSAT mandatory for juniors?

Most high schools require their students to take the PSAT in the fall of junior year (and many pick up the $16 cost), either for their own assessment or for a state requirement. Many schools additionally require the PSAT 8/9 and the PSAT 10.

Do you have to take the PSAT in 11th grade?

Students can take the PSAT up to three times in high school. That said, you can only take the test once per year. Even if your school offers multiple test dates, you can only sign up for one date per year. Most students take the test in 11th grade, but you could take it in ninth and/or 10th grade for extra practice.

Can you skip the PSAT junior year?

There are no consequences to skipping a PSAT. Know, however, that the test is only offered once a year, so you have limited opportunities to take it. Furthermore, you must take it during your junior year if you want to be considered for scholarships like National Merit.

Does the PSAT matter for juniors?

Each year, approximately 50,000 students (out of 1.4 million juniors) qualify for recognition based on their high PSAT score . Around 34,000 of these students receive Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Can I refuse to take the PSAT?

1. Do I (does my sophomore) need to take the PSAT? No. 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.

What's a Good PSAT® Score? Updated for 2022-2023!

What happens if I skip 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 a school force you 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.

Do colleges look at junior PSAT?

Colleges Don't Receive Scores

College Board does not send PSAT/NMSQT scores to colleges. These scores are not intended to be part of college admission decisions.

Why do juniors take the PSAT?

What is PSAT good for? The main goal of PSAT is to give students an opportunity to see what SAT is about, to get familiar with the test format and procedure, and to help you prepare for the actual SAT. Students who score high on PSAT will be considered for National Merit recognition and awards.

Is 1200 a good PSAT score?

Excellent PSAT Scores: 1200-1360

11th-grade students who scored between 1200 and 1360 on the PSAT test fall within the top 10% of all test takers.

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.

What happens if you miss PSAT in 11th grade?

There's now an alternative action to pursue. A junior unable to test on the national testing date can contact Scholarship Administration of the National Merit office and request alternate testing entry.

Is it mandatory to do the PSAT?

The PSAT, which stands for “Preliminary SAT,” is essentially a trial run for the SAT. Since the PSAT isn't strictly necessary to get into college, many students wonder whether they should bother taking it at all. The answer to that is yes, yes — a million times, yes.

What grade does PSAT matter?

SAT and ACT scores are used to evaluate students in the admissions process (with the exception of universities with test optional policies). PSAT scores, however, are not. In fact, the only PSAT scores that might influence your admissions odds are those you receive in your junior year on the PSAT/NMSQT.

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.

Is it better to take the PSAT as a sophomore or junior?

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.

What's the average PSAT score for juniors?

The average PSAT score is around 1000 for juniors, and 920 for sophomores.

Does the PSAT affect your GPA?

Your PSAT scores won't get you into college or affect your GPA. But if you're a junior, high scores on the PSAT can earn you scholarship dollars, including a National Merit Scholarship.

Is 940 a good PSAT score?

The average PSAT/NMSQT score is about 920. A score between 1210 and 1520 puts you in the top 10% of test takers. The PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT are very similar tests, so your score on the PSAT/NMSQT can give you an idea of how you'll do when you take the SAT.

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.

Can you get National Merit without PSAT?

To be considered for the National Merit Scholarship Program, you typically need to take the PSAT/NMSQT during your junior year of high school. Missing the test means that you won't have a score to be considered for the program.

Do I need to worry about the PSAT?

While the PSAT score is not included in admissions choices, as it is for the SAT and ACT at many colleges, a good performance on the PSAT is still essential. So, to answer your question, should you prepare for it? In a nutshell, YES.

Do colleges look at PSAT 11?

PSAT/NMSQT scores are eligible for inclusion in the National Merit Scholarship Program if you take the test as an 11th grade student. Your results can also be used as qualifiers for other scholarships. Colleges probably won't look at your PSAT score, but that doesn't mean it doesn't matter.

Is 910 a bad PSAT score?

There are hundreds of colleges you could get into with a 910. But bear in mind that this score puts you in about 21st percentile, which means that 79% of other test takers out there scored higher than you. That doesn't make it easy for you in the college search.

Is a 750 on the PSAT bad?

To make it into the 99th percentile on Reading and Writing, for instance, you'd need to score 730 or above, while to hit the 99th percentile on Math, you'd need a near-perfect 750. If you're shooting for the 99th percentile, our Complete Online PSAT Prep can help get you there.