PSAT – What is That?
We at College Insights wanted to reach out and provide you with some insights into the PSAT. People often mistakenly believe that the “P” stands for “Practice” when, in fact, it stands for “Preliminary”; therefore, the Preliminary SAT!
The PSAT is an important test for a few reasons and understanding how to most effectively utilize the test will provide you with a head start. The PSAT is offered once a year in mid-October. You can take this test in freshman, sophomore, and junior years if you would like. The PSAT is typically administered by the high school itself and they will pick either a Saturday or a Wednesday test date. Generally, you will register for the test through your high school.
The PSAT:
- provides you with feedback on your test strengths and weaknesses
- gives you a baseline to judge your scores against those of ingoing college freshman
- helps you prepare for the SAT, and
- qualifies you for prestigious scholarships – National Merit Scholarships!
In regards to the scholarships, your score taken in October of your junior year is the only score counted towards these scholarships. Due to the misconception that the PSAT is a practice test, it is often taken too lightly. Do not let this happen to you!
College Insights recommends:
- Take the PSAT twice! – In sophomore year and in junior year. Sophomore year allows you to get comfortable with the testing environment and the pressurized situation. This allows the junior year PSAT to be more relaxed.
- Do NOT take the SAT until you complete the junior PSAT! The PSAT scores are not available to the colleges, whereas, the SAT scores are. If you do great on the junior Fall PSAT, sit and take the “real” SAT ASAP (while everything is still fresh in your memory); if not so great, fix your weaknesses with additional test prep before sitting for the SAT.
- Prepare, Prepare, Prepare! – For the junior year test, Prepare! Options range from expensive PSAT test prep classes/tutors to self-study books. (We are big fans of the online ePrep program – an inexpensive option to try first).
- Reduce the stress and pressure! – By taking the time to prepare now, your SAT preparation will be far easier. This will allow you to not have to take time away from school work and college preparation time during the extremely important junior year.
The PSAT is something that should not be overlooked. Not only will it offer you an opportunity to access scholarship money, it will also help to prepare you for the SAT, an integral portion of the college planning process.
