PSAT as a sophomore – pros and cons?

I'm a sophomore and thinking about taking the PSAT early. Has anyone here done that? What are the benefits or drawbacks? I’m trying to plan out my test schedule and want to make the best decision.

Hey there! It's great that you're starting to think about your test schedule early on. Taking the PSAT as a sophomore can indeed be a beneficial experience, as it can serve as a low-stakes practice for the SAT. You'll get a sense of the question types, the pacing of the exam, and a baseline score to help guide your study plan for the future. Plus, it can help relieve some test anxiety down the line when you take the PSAT/NMSQT in your junior year, which can qualify you for National Merit scholarships if you score well enough.

However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. The scores from your sophomore year won't count towards the National Merit Scholarship competition—that only happens when you're a junior. Also, if you have a busy schedule already with coursework and extracurriculars, preparing for the PSAT might add additional stress that's not strictly necessary at this point.

Ultimately, the decision should be based on how comfortable you feel with your current workload and whether you see the practice opportunity as beneficial. I’ve seen many students benefit from the early exposure, as they go into their junior year with a clearer idea of what to expect and how to prepare.