What's the deal with the PSAT?

Hey folks, I keep hearing about this PSAT thing and honestly, I'm stumped. Can someone give me a clear understanding of what the PSAT is? Is it necessary for college admissions or is it only for the National Merit Scholarship? I'm a sophomore and want to prepare in advance.

The PSAT, or Preliminary SAT, is a practice test that helps students prepare for the SAT. It's done in a controlled testing environment and presents you with questions similar to what you'll see on the SAT, which will make you more familiar with the testing process and what to expect. The PSAT is administered by the College Board and is taken by high school sophomores (PSAT 10) and juniors (PSAT/NMSQT) every year.

Taking the PSAT is definitely beneficial in terms of studying and preparing for the SAT, as the format, timing, and types of questions are very similar between the two. However, PSAT scores are not involved in most college admissions processes, so they will not affect your college application.

You're absolutely right that the main purpose of the PSAT isn't just as a practice test, but also as a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. If you're a junior and get a particularly high score, you might become a National Merit Semifinalist which is a prestigious honor that colleges pay attention to and can lead to scholarships.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, both the PSAT and SAT have gone fully digital. Both sections—Reading and Writing, and Math—are individually timed and will necessitate a good bit of practice to ensure accuracy under pressure. The Bluebook™ app can help you prepare with full-length practice tests.

So to summarize, while the PSAT isn't necessary for college admissions, it is beneficial for SAT preparation and for qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Good luck with your preparation!