What does the PSAT actually determine for high school students?

I took the PSAT recently and I've been wondering, beyond practice for the SAT, what exactly does the PSAT determine for us high school students? Does it have any bearing on college admissions or is it all about the National Merit Scholarship? I'm trying to understand how much weight I should give to my score.

The PSAT serves a couple of different purposes. Primarily, it's a practice test for the SAT, giving students a chance to experience the format and question types they'll encounter on the actual SAT. In terms of college admissions, the PSAT score itself is not directly used. Admissions committees don't see these scores, and they do not factor them into the decision-making process.

However, the PSAT is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. If you score in the top percentile of test-takers in your state, you could become a National Merit Semifinalist, which can lead to scholarships and recognition that can be beneficial for college applications. Additionally, some other scholarship programs use PSAT scores to identify candidates. Beyond scholarships, the benefits of taking the PSAT include receiving feedback on strengths and potential areas for improvement, which can help guide your study efforts for future standardized tests.

Given these aspects, while you shouldn't overemphasize the importance of the PSAT in the college admissions process itself, the test can certainly open doors for scholarship opportunities and provide valuable practice that can pay off when you sit for the SAT or ACT.