The digital PSAT/NMSQT® is an excellent opportunity for students to prepare for the formal SAT® and to qualify for prestigious college scholarships. With that in mind, it’s no surprise you and your child may have plenty of questions regarding this test.
If your child is preparing for the PSAT, you can help set them up for success by understanding the purpose of the exam, what to expect on test day, and how they can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
What is the PSAT/NMSQT Used for?
The PSAT/NMSQT serves two purposes. First, it’s a practice test for the SAT that allows students to familiarize themselves with the digital SAT format. However, it’s important to note that PSAT scores cannot be used to satisfy testing requirements on college applications.
Additionally, the PSAT/NMSQT is a critical qualification component for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Students’ scores determine whether or not they qualify for this prestigious scholarship.
How Do You Qualify for the National Merit Scholarship?
To qualify to compete for the National Merit Scholarship, your child must:
- Be a US citizen
- Take the PSAT/NMSQT during their third year of high school
- If your child plans to graduate early, they can take it in their second to last year of high school.
- Score within the top 50,000 scores
Of those 50,000 high scorers, roughly two-thirds (or 34,000) will be notified that they qualified as a Commended Student by their school. These scorers are no longer in the running for a National Merit Scholarship, but may qualify for Special Scholarships. Becoming a Commended Student is a valuable asset to college admission as this can be listed as an honor received on applications.
The one-third of high scorers notified they qualify as Semifinalists are still in the running for the National Merit Scholarship. These 16,000 Semifinalists have scored within the highest percentile of test takers. After submitting additional application materials, those who meet academic and other requirements will advance in the competition. Colleges actively seek National Merit Semifinalists during the admissions process, so reaching this stage of the competition offers a big boost to college applications.
The National Merit Scholarship winners will come from the 15,000 Finalists. Of these finalists:
- 710 can be awarded Special Scholarships based on a sponsors’ eligibility criteria
- 6,870 will be Merit Scholarship® winners
National Merit Scholarships can fall into one of the following categories:
- National Merit® $2,500 Scholarships
- Corporate-sponsored scholarships
- College-sponsored scholarships
How Hard is it to Get a National Merit Scholarship?
The National Merit Scholarship competition is very competitive. While 1.3 million students take the PSAT/NMSQT each year, only 6,870 become Merit Scholar® awardees. In order for your child to be competitive, they’ll need to score within the top three percent of test takers nationwide.
How Much Money Can You Get from the National Merit Scholarship?
There are three kinds of scholarships students can receive if they become a Merit Scholar:
- The official National Merit Scholarship: It provides one payment of $2,500 in scholarship funds.
- Corporate-sponsored scholarships: These are funded by National Merit Scholarship Corporation partners, and can be made as a single payment of anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000 or as awards of $1,000 to $10,000 that renew each year.
- College-sponsored scholarships: Students who declare their plans to attend a particular sponsor school can receive college-sponsored scholarships that range from $500 to $2,000 per year.
What Topics are on the PSAT?
The digital PSAT/NMSQT consists of one Reading and Writing section and one Math section, each of which is divided into two modules.
The Reading and Writing section covers comprehension, vocabulary, analysis, reasoning, sentence structure, and other topics to measure each student’s command of the English language. The Math section includes algebra, geometry, trigonometry, advanced mathematics, problem-solving, and data analysis.
How Often is the PSAT/NMSQT Offered?
The PSAT/NMSQT is usually offered once a year in October. Each school schedules PSAT dates through the College Board, the organization overseeing the exam. Your child can ask their school counselor for more detailed information.
How Many Times Can a Student Take the PSAT/NMSQT?
While students can take the PSAT/NMSQT up to three times, only the score earned in their junior year will count towards the National Merit Scholarship.
How Long is the Digital PSAT/NMSQT Test with Breaks?
Students have 64 minutes to complete the Reading and Writing section of the PSAT and 70 minutes for the Math section. Altogether, students have 2 hours and 14 minutes to answer 98 questions. There is a 10-minute break between sections, so your child should expect to spend roughly 2.5 hours on the exam.
How is the PSAT/NMSQT Scored?
The digital PSAT’s score report will contain your child’s section scores, total score, and selection index score.
Each section score falls within a range of 160 and 760, and the total score is the sum of both section scores. These scores are helpful in predicting student performance on the SAT.
The selection score index is arguably the more important number as it determines eligibility to compete for the National Merit Scholarship. The score index falls within a range of 48 and 228. To calculate it, double the sum of your child’s score in the Reading and Writing section, add it to their score in the math section, then divide the answer by 10. Note that this calculation lends greater weight to the Reading and Writing section than the Math section—students who are particularly verbal oriented have a slight advantage in the National Merit Scholarship competition.
What is a Good Score on the PSAT/NMSQT?
According to the College Board, the top 10% of students score between 1210 and 1520 on the PSAT/NMSQT. The average total score is around 920.
While we can’t guarantee that earning a 1400 on the PSAT will earn your child a National Merit Scholarship, performing well on the digital PSAT can be an invaluable indicator of how they’ll perform on the SAT.
What Score Do You Need to Compete for the National Merit Scholarship?
The required selection score index to compete for the National Merit Scholarship differs from state to state. At C2 Education, we generally recommend aiming for at least 1400 on the PSAT to be competitive, but, depending on your state, your child may need a higher score.
When Can You Start Taking the PSAT?
Your child can take the PSAT as early as the eighth grade, but only scores earned on the PSAT/NMSQT can count toward the National Merit scholarship.
The PSAT has three different levels, each adjusted to suit the abilities and knowledge of specific grade levels. The PSAT™ 8/9 is for students in the eighth and ninth grades, the PSAT™10 targets those in tenth grade, and the PSAT/NMSQT targets those in the eleventh grade. All three levels can help your child familiarize themselves with the digital SAT’s content, testing conditions, and exam format.
Sophomores who feel equipped to tackle the PSAT/NMSQT are welcome to take the exam. However, those who would like more experience before the formal PSAT can take the PSAT 10, which is identical to the PSAT/NMSQT but doesn’t qualify students for scholarship awards.
The PSAT/NMSQT is geared towards high school juniors. Some high schools allow sophomores to take the PSAT/NMSQT, but unless your child plans to graduate early, sophomores are not typically qualified to compete for the National Merit Scholarship.
Where Can You Take the PSAT/NMSQT?
Most students take the PSAT/NMSQT at their high school. However, if your child is homeschooled or unable to attend the test date offered by their school, they can take the exam at another nearby institution.
To find a qualified location, use the College Board’s in-school assessment search tool.
What Do You Need to Bring on Test Day?
On test day, your child should bring:
- Their own, fully-charged device
- The testing app should be installed by the time your child arrives.
- Exam setup should be completed no later than the night before your child takes the test.
- A power cord and/or portable charger
- A pencil or pen
- An approved photo ID if your child is testing at a different school or they’re homeschooled
Other items your child can bring, but aren’t necessarily required to, include:
- An external mouse and/or keyboard if they want to use them during the exam
- An approved calculator if they’re uncomfortable using the graphing calculator within the Bluebook app
- A watch without an audible alarm
- Extra batteries for your calculator
- A drink or snacks for the break
- A bag or backpack
- EpiPens
- Make sure your child places it in a clear bag before entering the exam site and place it under their desk during the test.
Your child can request to borrow a device from the College Board when they register to take the PSAT if they don’t have access to one.
C2 Can Help Your Child Prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT.
At C2, we offer individualized and small-group instruction for students preparing for the PSAT/NMSQT. Our world-class tutors test within the top 5% for their chosen subject matter, so you can trust that your child will receive valuable guidance from knowledgeable instructors.
Find a nearby C2 location or request information today to learn more!
