Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT / NMSQT)
Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT / NMSQT)

What is Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test?

It is a standardized admission test co-sponsored by College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) in United States. It offers high school students a chance to assess their aptitude to take Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). It measures logical and intellectual problems so they may remove them at college level.

How PSAT is Significant?

By taking PSAT, students would be able to know which skills are needed to improve SAT score. PSAT offers thousands of students to qualify for scholarships amounting to $2,500. Students with good aptitude and low financial hold attain special scholarships.

Who are eligible?

For appearing in PSAT test,

  • Merely 11th-grade are acknowledged for scholarships.
  • Younger candidates with high aptitude may also get benefit.
  • Disable students are also eligible and their fittings or accommodations may not affect their participation.

Test Composition/ Time Duration:

  • Critical Reading – Two sections of sentence completion with allocated time of 25 minutes
  • Maths -Two sections of MCQs with allocated time of 25 minutes
  • Writing Skills – One section of improving sentences with allocated time of 30 minutes

PSAT/NMSQT Scoring Criteria

Score ranges from 20 (0.00%) to 80 (90.99%). Raw Score is calculated on the basis of certain rules:

  • Correct answer will add one point.
  • Incorrect answer in MCQs will deduct ¼ point.
  • Wrong Answer in Math question and unanswered question will not deduct any point.

For FAQs and Details, visit https://www.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/scores/understanding-scores

How to get Prepared?

It’s a one-step away from SAT as they both have same format. For preparation, fewer effective ways are knocking your door.

How to get registered?

  • To get registered, make an account at PSAT site by signing up.
  • Parents and students are supposed to make an account first and then go for further details.
  • Most of the schools present registration information through programs so do call at school’s administration in order to proceed process.
  • PSAT co-sponsors order test for disable students approved by College Board.

Test Dates/ Test Location

Key dates for PSAT/NMQST are 14 October to 28 October and PSAT 10 are 22 February to 4 March 2016 . Students usually take test at their high school. Moreover, if students are unable to appear they may take test on second date.

Fee Structure:

In-total PSAT costs $14 with the additional charges in case of renewal, changing center.

Contact: Phone: 888-433-7728 or e-mail at psathelp@info.collegeboard.org

Official Website: www.collegeboard.org