During the next month, over 3 million students will sit for the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10, even though colleges do not use PSAT scores for admissions purposes. True, current 11th graders scoring at the rightmost edge of the bell curve may perform well enough for National Merit Scholarship recognition. For everyone else, though, the PSAT is not even great practice for the SAT.
That said, students sitting for the PSAT in October should absolutely make the experience meaningful. Here’s how:
👉 SHOW UP
Despite what you may hear from your school, the PSAT is entirely optional, as evidenced by the myriad instances where students with sports conflicts can never find alternate test options. A student might not have to take the PSAT, but anyone with college aspirations should anyway for the experience and assessment.
👉 DO YOUR BEST
The typical response when learning that your efforts won’t really count is to exert less effort. But, as every coach will explain, you play like you practice. The opportunity to engage with official test questions in a proctored setting is too good to waste, so bring your best to the test. This goes double for test takers that are already deep in their SAT prep process—embrace the chance to try your skills on College Board questions you won’t see anywhere else.
👉 ACT ON THE RESULTS
PSAT scores generally come in 2-3 weeks after testing. Depending on when a particular school administers the test, PSAT results may arrive early enough to trigger quick registration for the December SAT or maybe even consideration of what the ACT has to offer. The PSAT is slightly easier than the SAT but still provides strong insight into both college readiness and future SAT scores assuming no other prep. But PSAT scores also tend to trigger a strong interest in test prep. Whatever the results, use them to plan a smart path forward.
Taking a full digital practice SAT in Bluebook delivers many of the benefits as the PSAT with some extra advantages as well. But when October arrives for most 11th and some 10th graders, the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 provides an unparalleled opportunity for a no-stakes testing experience that replicates many of the most elusive and intimidating aspects of the SAT. Sit for the PSAT and make it count!
Want to know what those PSAT (or SAT/ACT scores) mean and how to make them better? Just give me a call for a free consult! 🏆🏆
APPLICATION ACTION STEPS
🎓 Explore how the cost of college has changed over time.
🎓 Consider which kinds of research really matters to colleges.
🎓 Master the toughest vocabulary from the September SAT.
🎓 Find out where high grades and test scores earn merit scholarships.