What’s the difference between the PSAT 10 and the PSAT NMSQT?

I'm a sophomore, trying to figure out the differences between these two tests. Does the PSAT 10 also count for National Merit? And how does it line up with the difficulty of the PSAT NMSQT?

Hello there! It's great that you're planning ahead and looking into the differences between these tests. The PSAT 10 and the PSAT/NMSQT are indeed quite similar in content and structure, but they have a few key differences. Both exams are practice versions of the SAT, and they're designed to help students become familiar with the kinds of questions and the format of the SAT. However, one major difference is that the PSAT/NMSQT, which stands for National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, can qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship Program if you score highly. This isn't the case for the PSAT 10.

Another thing to note is that the PSAT/NMSQT is typically offered to juniors in October, while the PSAT 10 is aimed at sophomores and can be taken in the spring. As for difficulty, the tests are very similar, but since students generally take the PSAT/NMSQT when they’re a year older, they might find it slightly easier due to an additional year of education. Overall, both are good practice for the SAT, but only the PSAT/NMSQT has the scholarship stakes attached. Hope this clears things up!