PSAT Information
September 13th, 2023
IMPORTANT 2024-25 PSAT/NMSQT REGISTRATION INFORMATION
(Please Read)
Dear Parents/Guardians of Sophomore & Junior Students:
We will be offering the digital PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test on Saturday, October 26th for Roslyn Sophomores and Juniors. Just to be clear, the PSAT is designed for students enrolled in Junior-year courses. However, sophomores are often encouraged to sit for the exam to gain exposure to the test prior to junior year. This letter is intended to help guide parents and students in deciding whether to register for the exam.
The PSAT/NMSQT is great practice for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) which is a standardized test that is often used as part of the college admissions process. The PSAT/NMSQT is being offered in a computer-based digital and adaptive format this fall. The shift to digital testing reflects broader trends in standardized testing towards computer-based assessments. It aims to provide a testing experience that aligns with students' digital literacy skills and prepares them for similar assessments they may encounter in college or beyond.
The PSAT/NMSQT is also the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
The Format:
Similar to the old paper-based PSAT/NMSQT and SAT, the digital PSAT/NMSQT has the same interface, structure, and question types as the new digital SAT. Both will include one Reading and Writing section and one Math section. Students will have 64 minutes to complete the Reading and Writing section, which is divided into two 32-minute modules and contains 54 questions in total. In addition, students have 70 minutes to complete the Math section, which is divided into two 35-minute modules with 44 questions total. You can learn more about the structure and content of the digital exam on College Board’s website.
The Benefits:
The PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying test for the National Merit® Scholarship Program. The top performers can qualify for scholarships and esteemed recognition. This will be based on scoring in the top 1% of all PSAT test-takers nationwide.
In addition to providing practice for the SAT, the exam can be used as a diagnostic to provide an early understanding of strengths and weaknesses. This can help guide your test prep when preparing for college entrance standardized testing. Shortly after testing, students will receive a score report which will break down the exam providing more insight. Your score report will also show how well you performed and which college-level AP courses match your strengths.
The Sophomore:
Sophomores must re-take this test during the Junior year. Only the Junior year scores can be used for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.
Some sophomores have not completed the curriculum necessary to perform well on the critical reading and mathematical concepts. Therefore, it is recommended that ONLY Sophomores who are enrolled in accelerated courses register to sit for this exam. Students in accelerated math who have done well in English may be better prepared for this test.
Although early exposure to the test does not necessarily enhance test-taking strategies or performance as a Junior and can often elicit future testing anxiety, students should remember that the exam is just for practice and can be used to help guide future test prep!
Students with a documented disability should see their counselor to verify that they have been approved by the College Board for any testing accommodations.
The Registration Process:
Registration for the Fall 2024 PSAT opens August 19th and closes by 11:59 on September 6th.
Please note, payment submission for PSAT exams are processed online through APTS which is our third party billing service. Click here to register: PSAT Registration
If you have any questions regarding the PSAT/NMSQT, please contact your school counselor or visit Collegeboard.com for additional resources and study material.
Sincerely,
Tanya Baptiste & the RHS Counseling Department