Howdy people! I keep hearing 'PSATs' being thrown around, but I'm not entirely sure what it means. Does it stand for something? What's its purpose and how important is it in terms of college applications and scholarships?
Hello! So, PSAT stands for Preliminary SAT. It's essentially a practice version of the SAT exam, and it also serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. So, it offers a solid opportunity for high school students to get a sense of what to expect on the SAT.
The PSAT is divided into two sections just like the SAT: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math. As of spring 2024, the PSAT has been administered digitally and has the same structure as the digital SAT—it includes two 32-minute modules for reading and writing, as well as two 35-minute modules for math.
In terms of college applications, PSAT scores are not sent to colleges, so they won't affect your college applications directly. However, doing well on the PSAT can be a good indicator of how you might score on the SAT, so it can be an important part of preparing for college admissions.
Now, regarding scholarships: as mentioned before, the PSAT is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). High-scoring students may be recognized as National Merit Semifinalists and then potentially proceed to become National Merit Finalists, who are eligible to win certain scholarships. Not all students will reach the level of National Merit Semifinalist or Finalist, but for those who do, it can be a significant accomplishment for college applications and access to scholarship money.
I hope that helps clear things up!
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