Why Is the PSAT Important?

Last Updated on October 5, 2023 by Jill Schwitzgebel

Recently, a friend shared with me that she knew someone who was planning to let their child skip taking the PSAT. It was the student’s junior year and the student already had a good score on the ACT. So, the parent saw no point. Apparently not all schools do a great job of answering the question, “Why IS the PSAT important?” I was kind of shocked.

What IS the PSAT?

As you may have guessed, the PSAT is essentially a practice test for the SAT. It is administered to high school students during the school day in October of their Junior year. Often, high schools will offer freshman and sophomores the opportunity to take the PSAT, as well.

The test itself is about three hours long, including breaks. It’s broken into three main sections: Evidence Based Reading (60minutes), Writing and Language (35minutes), and Math (25minutes with no calculator and 45minutes with a calculator).

Students will receive their PSAT scores about two months after taking the test. Like the SAT, they will receive a composite score, as well as a breakdown of their scores on each section. They’ll also receive an estimated score range of what they may score on the SAT, based on their PSAT. And, after creating an account with College Board to view their test scores, students can actually receive customized practice for the SAT, based on their PSAT results.

But…WHY is the PSAT Important?

The reason the PSAT is important is because beyond just being practice for the SAT, it is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Students who score really well on the PSAT have the opportunity to become National Merit Semifinalists. Each year, $180 million in scholarships is awarded to National Merit Scholars.

There are actually a variety of scholarships given out to Juniors who score well on the PSAT. But, easily the most well-known is the National Merit Scholarship. Across the country, 50,000 top scoring students will become Commended Scholars, and 16,000 of those with the highest scores will be qualified as National Merit Semifinalists.

The score that your child needs to qualify will vary by what state you live in. Each year, it’s sort of a guessing game as to what the cutoff will be to be named a commended scholar or semifinalist in each state. However, we can usually make a pretty good educated guess as to what each state’s cutoff will be after scores are released.  Those scoring in the top 1% in each state will be named as semifinalists.

Semifinalists don’t officially get notified of their status until fall of their Senior year, almost a year after taking the test. At that time, they will receive instructions on the next steps that they need to complete to become National Merit Scholars.

National Merit Scholarships are $2500 each, renewable for four years of college. But, in addition to that, corporations also offer special scholarships to accompany those. AND, many colleges offer their own scholarships to Scholars who attend their college. And THAT is why earning a National Merit Scholarship can be important. Currently, there are over 50 reputable colleges in the US offering full tuition scholarships to National Merit Scholars. Some also offer a stipend or room and board! There are even more colleges that offer partial scholarships.

Conclusion

There you have it – the reason why taking the PSAT matters. It’s a chance for free money for college. And, that’s the reason that I recommend students take it at least once earlier than their Junior year, if they have the opportunity. That can provide them with valuable practice . And it may even give you some insight as to whether your teen might be able to qualify as a National Merit Semifinalist.

For further information about scores on the October 2019 PSAT test, click here! 

Contact me if you’d like further information about the qualifications to become a National Merit Scholar!