10 FAQs about the PSAT and National Merit Scholarship
1. What is the PSAT?
The PSAT is not just a practice version of the SAT - though it will help you prepare; it was created as a way to qualify students for National Merit Scholarships.
2. When should I take the PSAT?
Students can take the PSAT at any point during their high school career, but it’s most common to take during your sophomore or junior year. You can take the PSAT / NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in the fall, usually around October. Meanwhile, the PSAT 10 is available in the spring.
To be eligible for National Merit Scholarship, you’ll need to take the PSAT/NMSQT during your junior year.
3. Where can I take the PSAT?
Find out from your guidance counselor’s office when your class will be taking the PSAT.
4. How should I prepare for the PSAT?
The College Board offers practice tests to help you get a sense of what’s on the PSAT. While it’s standard to prepare extensively for the SAT, ultimately, preparing for the PSAT is up to you. But, keep in mind,“the PSAT is essentially a gateway to doing well on the SAT,” shares Hannah Muniz at CollegeVine. So if you prepare for the PSAT, that puts you ahead of the game come SAT time.
5. When are scores released?
After you take the PSAT test, scores are usually released in December. Take a look at this year’s score release schedule to get an idea for what next year might look like.
6. What does my score mean?
While the SAT is scored between 400 and 1600, the PSAT/NMSQT is scored between 320 and 1520. “Your total score will be the result of adding your Math score, worth 160-720 points, and your Reading and Writing and Language scores, also worth 160-720 points.” (CollegeBoard).
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
7. What is the National Merit Scholarship?
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation was established in 1955 as a nonprofit organization. It provides academic scholarships. Their goal is to honor academically talented high school students and help support their education
8. What does the process look like?
First, students with the highest scores, around 50,000 in total, are announced as Commended Students, Semifinalists, and Finalists.
Commended Students (~34,000) - While Commended Students aren’t eligible for the National Merit Scholarship, some are selected as candidates for special corporation scholarships.
Semifinalists (~16,000) - Semifinalists have to meet certain academic standards and additional requirements, as described here, to becme finalists.
Finalists (~15,000) - Finalist received one of three types of awards, as described below.
9. What are the types of awards?
National Merit $2500 Scholarships
Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards
College-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards
10. Am I eligible for the National Merit Scholarship?
Below are the list of requirements for the National Merit Scholarship, as outlined here:
Take the PSAT no later than your third year of high school.
Be enrolled in high school
Attend high school in the U.S. *
If you’re attending high school outside of the U.S., to be eligible, you must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
