Hi everyone! I'm a junior and wondering why we even bother with the PSAT if it isn't used for college admissions? Is it just for practice, or does it play a bigger role I might be overlooking?
Hi there! It's great that you're thinking about the PSAT and its role in your high school journey. The primary purpose of the PSAT is indeed practice for the SAT. It gives you a sense of the types of questions you'll encounter and the timing pressure you'll experience during the real test. However, there's a bit more to it than just practice.
For one, taking the PSAT can qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship Program if you score in the top percentile of test-takers in your state. This recognition can lead to scholarship opportunities and looks fantastic on your college applications.
Moreover, your PSAT scores will not go to colleges, so it offers a low-stakes environment where you can get a feel for standardized testing and identify areas you need to improve before taking the SAT or ACT.
Also, the College Board can use your PSAT scores to connect you with colleges and scholarship organizations if you opt into their Student Search Service.
In summary, while the PSAT might not be used directly for college admissions, it serves important purposes for practice, scholarships, and college outreach.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.