I've heard rumors about standardized tests being graduation requirements. Is the PSAT one of those tests I need to take to graduate, or is it optional?
The PSAT, or Preliminary SAT, is not a graduation requirement. It's primarily a practice test for the SAT and serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Your graduation requirements will typically consist of a combination of credit hours across certain subjects, passing grades, and possibly state-specific standardized tests, but the PSAT is not part of them.
If you're thinking about taking the SAT later, the PSAT can be a useful diagnostic tool to see where you're at and what areas you might need to focus on. For instance, if you score lower on math, you might want to dedicate additional study time to that subject before taking the SAT. Remember, though, participation in the PSAT is voluntary and is not tied to your high school diploma.
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.