Almost everyone has heard that taking the SAT & ACT before high school graduation is critical. But did you know there’s another test you should be thinking about when it comes to college planning? Yes, the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) may be just as significant. Typically, high school juniors take the PSAT test in October of each year (but freshmen and sophomores often participate as well). Although the PSAT test is not required for admission to college, there are several compelling reasons to take it.
If the PSAT test is required at your school
The PSAT test is required of all students in some high schools (especially public high schools). This may just imply that you will be required to take the PSAT NMSQT in the fall of your junior year. However, depending on your school, you may be required to take the PSAT NMSQT or PSAT 10 in your sophomore year, and some students begin taking PSAT-like-exams (PSATLE?) as early as eighth grade with the PSAT 8/9.
As a student, dealing with all of these extra standardized tests is a headache, but from the perspective of the high school, the PSAT is a fantastic tool to determine if students are on pace for college applications. Regardless of how you look at it, if it’s obligatory to take it, you should.
The PSAT is Excellent SAT Practice
Taking the PSAT is a low-stakes opportunity to experience what it’s like to take a college entrance exam. You can utilize it as an extra opportunity to become used to standardized testing without fear of your grades influencing your college acceptance.
By taking the PSAT, you can learn how you react to extended periods of concentration on a test, how stressed you feel conducting a math test without a calculator, and how you react to time pressure for future SAT or ACT preparation.
Cracking PSAT is the only way to get selected for Merit Scholarship
You may be aware that the PSAT NMSQT is another term for the PSAT that students take in the fall of 11th (and occasionally 10th) grade (or National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). This is because taking the PSAT NMSQT as a high school junior is the only way to be considered for a National Merit Scholarship.
National Merit Scholarships are merit-based rewards provided to students who have qualified as National Merit Finalists (via testing and other considerations).
You can practice for the SAT in specific categories
The PSAT tests, like the SAT, divide your score into sub-scores like Words in Context, Command of Evidence, and Passport to Advanced Math. More information on PSAT scoring can be found here. Seeing how you do on a low-stakes test in these distinct categories will help you figure out where to focus your attention before the SAT. According to the College Board, twenty hours of practice can boost your PSAT to SAT score by an average of 115 points.
The SAT test isn’t very difficult to pass, but it does necessitate a significant amount of preparation, effort, and endurance on the side of the test taker. ReWiser recognises that studying for the SAT can be challenging, and we’re here to help you succeed with our interactive online training if you can’t come up with a study plan on your own and need aid with study, concept understanding, and test-taking strategies. Here is our website, we are happy to help you with the SAT prep.
Determine your SAT test-taking strategies
The PSAT is designed to be similar to the SAT, with the exception that it is 15 minutes shorter and does not include an essay part. As a result, studying for the PSAT can resemble studying for the SAT and can aid in the development of your methods.
Stamina and confidence are the most vital characteristics to develop in order to ace the SAT. Students must have the ability to sit still and concentrate for long periods of time, as well as the belief that they can succeed. Students can improve both of these talents early in their high school careers by studying for the PSAT.
You can take a diagnostic test before getting into the SAT prep through Rewiser, and this test will help you to do a self analysis. Here is our website: https://rewiser.testpress.in/register/
It puts you on the radar of a college
As a college-bound student, it’s in your best interests to make it as simple as possible for universities to contact you. The College Board (the organization that administers the PSAT and SAT) offers a free application called the Student Search Service (SSS) that allows students to exchange “personal and preferred” information with over 1,100 institutions and scholarship boards. You will not be flooded with spam messages because the service is opt-in. The SSS is an excellent method to hear from universities you would not have considered otherwise. Colleges will recruit you for their student body and provide scholarships if you do well on the test.
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