| Also known as the PSAT/NMSQT test, the PSAT | | | | sign-up elsewhere in your locality. You will probably |
| test takes place across the US during October | | | | not be able to register online, so don't leave it until |
| each year. This is important to note for the | | | | the last minute! |
| following reasons: | | | | Get in contact with the relevant personnel at your |
| Announcements are often seen about students | | | | school. Ask the guidance counselor who is |
| who are named as National Merit Finalists. These | | | | responsible for organizing the PSAT in your school. |
| students usually qualify for college scholarships, | | | | You should obtain a copy of the Official Student |
| sometimes very generous scholarships that will | | | | Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT (free) as this will give |
| secure their education funding. The process to | | | | you valuable information about preparing for the |
| becoming a National Merit Finalist began during the | | | | test. |
| October before this when they sat the PSAT | | | | You will need to pay a fee to sit the PSAT (in |
| NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test | | | | 2006 this was $12) -- but there may also be an |
| National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). | | | | additional fee charged by your school for |
| Scholarships are not the only reason for taking | | | | administration costs. If you have financial difficulty |
| the PSAT/NMSQT however. There are other | | | | and are unable to pay the fee your school |
| positive reasons for taking it. For example, it's an | | | | counselor will be able to help you obtain a fee |
| excellent way of identifying what strengths and | | | | waiver which is possible in some cases. Home |
| weaknesses you may have. Identifying these can | | | | schooled students are also eligible for PSAT |
| be invaluable as they will reveal which areas you | | | | entrance. Speak to the local high school to make |
| need to apply more study time to when it comes | | | | arrangements to take the test on their premises. |
| to revising for the SAT. | | | | You will need to do this during the summer so as |
| The PSAT is also a great practice run for the | | | | to ensure you get a place in that October's test. |
| SAT. Even though you may hope to do well | | | | If you are in 10th grade and are interested in |
| enough in the PSAT/NMSQT to qualify for a | | | | taking the PSAT as a dry-run ready for the real |
| scholarship, even the experience of sitting it will | | | | thing the following year, this is usually allowed. You |
| put you in a good place when it comes to the | | | | should note however that the score you receive |
| SAT itself. You will already have some idea of the | | | | on this isn't able to be used the following year as |
| standard they require, and the kind of questions | | | | you must be in 11th grade in order for the score |
| you can expect to see on the SAT papers. | | | | to count, but for the purposes of identifying areas |
| If you indicate that you want to receive | | | | you need to work on in order to get the best |
| information by ticking the "yes" option for the | | | | score possible in the 11th grade test, it's well |
| "Student Search Service" you will get great | | | | worth the practice run during 10th grade. |
| information from the colleges. This will help you | | | | Although the PSAT isn't compulsory there are |
| decide which college offers you the best | | | | many reasons to take it. The most important of |
| opportunity for the kind of program you hope to | | | | these is that when it comes to sitting the SAT |
| follow. | | | | you already have had a chance to test your |
| There's a procedure for being eligible to sit the | | | | ability under the strict test guidelines, and will be |
| PSAT which is usually as follows: Find out whether | | | | less nervous than students who are facing this |
| your school has a sign-up form or if you have to | | | | kind of examination environment for the first |
| do this at community level. Even though the test | | | | time. |
| is taken in a school environment, there may be a | | | | |