PSAT/NMSQT: Your Guide to College Prep and Scholarship Opportunities

The PSAT/NMSQT has gone digital, bringing a host of benefits for test-takers:

• Simplified Experience: The digital format streamlines the testing process, making it easier to navigate.
• Shorter Test, More Time: The digital PSAT/NMSQT is shorter than its paper predecessor, with more time allocated per question, allowing you to focus on each task in greater depth.
• Built-in Calculator Advantage: No need to worry about bringing your own calculator! The digital PSAT/NMSQT provides a built-in calculator, eliminating one less logistical hurdle.
• Scholarship Gateway: Your PSAT/NMSQT score can unlock doors to scholarships, including the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program, which recognizes top-performing students with generous financial aid.

Feeling overwhelmed by college prep acronyms? Let's break down the PSAT/NMSQT and what it means for you. Here's a quick rundown:

• PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
• It's a standardized test administered in the US by the College Board and co-sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).
• Think of it as a practice run for the SAT, a major college entrance exam, but with an added scholarship twist!

So, what's the purpose of the PSAT/NMSQT?

This test offers high school students a two-fold benefit:

1. College Readiness Assessment: The PSAT/NMSQT mirrors the format and content of the SAT, testing your reading, writing, and math skills – essential areas for college success. Taking the PSAT allows you to gauge your strengths and weaknesses in these areas before tackling the actual SAT.
2. Scholarship Opportunity: High PSAT/NMSQT scores can unlock scholarship doors. The PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifier for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program, which recognizes top-performing students with generous scholarships.

Is the PSAT/NMSQT for you?

The PSAT/NMSQT is typically offered to sophomores (10th grade) and juniors (11th grade) in high school. Some schools may even offer the PSAT 8/9 for freshmen (9th grade) as an early introduction to standardized testing.

PSAT/NMSQT Test Dates and Score Release Dates - HERE!

By taking the PSAT/NMSQT, you gain valuable insights into your academic standing and open doors to potential scholarships. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the PSAT/NMSQT format, content, and strategies to help you excel on this crucial exam!

Benefits of Taking the PSAT/NMSQT:

• Practice for the SAT: Familiarize yourself with the SAT format, question styles, and time constraints.
• Identify Areas for Improvement: Gain valuable insights into your academic strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to tailor your studying for the SAT and college coursework.
• Scholarship Opportunities: Qualify for scholarships based on your PSAT/NMSQT performance.
• College Planning Tool: Use your PSAT score to predict potential SAT scores and explore colleges that match your academic standing.

How the PSAT/NMSQT Is Structured

The PSAT/NMSQT takes approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes to complete and is divided into two main sections: Reading and Writing and Math. Don't worry, most questions are multiple choice! However, there are a few written answer math problems to test your understanding beyond simple selection.

Here's a breakdown of the test structure by section, including time allotment and number of questions:

Section	Length (minutes)	Number of Questions/Tasks
Reading and Writing	65	44
Math	70	44
Total	134	98

As you can see, both sections are weighted equally in terms of testing time. Let's delve deeper into each section to understand what kind of skills they assess.

Solve PSAT/NMSQT Practice Test 1 Online - HERE!

The Reading and Writing Section:

• Two Modules, Evenly Split: The section is divided into 2 modules, each with 27 questions. You'll have 32 minutes for each module, which translates to roughly 1 minute and 11 seconds per question.
• Strategic Grouping: To optimize your time management, questions within each module are grouped based on the skills they test. This means you'll encounter questions testing similar concepts together, often arranged in order of difficulty – starting with easier ones and progressing to more challenging ones.

What the Reading and Writing Section Questions Are Like

The digital PSAT/NMSQT's Reading and Writing section assesses your critical literacy skills, preparing you for college and future careers. Here, you'll answer multiple-choice questions that test your ability to:

• Read, comprehend, and analyze information: You'll encounter passages from various subjects like literature, history, and science. Each passage comes with a single question that tests your understanding of the main ideas, supporting evidence, and overall purpose of the text.
• Think critically and make connections: Some questions will require you to analyze the writing's structure, make connections between different passages, and draw logical inferences.
• Demonstrate strong vocabulary: Understanding and using high-utility words in context is key in this section.
• Master Standard English conventions: You'll be asked to edit text for proper grammar, usage, and punctuation.
• Refine written expression: Several questions will test your ability to revise passages for clarity and effectiveness.

The PSAT/NMSQT categorizes these skills into four main areas:

1. Craft and Structure: This domain focuses on your ability to comprehend the text's structure, analyze its purpose, and identify key vocabulary in context.

2. Information and Ideas: Here, you'll demonstrate your comprehension and analysis skills through questions that assess your ability to identify central ideas, interpret information from graphs and charts, draw inferences, and support claims with evidence from the text.

3. Standard English Conventions: This domain tests your knowledge of proper grammar, usage, and punctuation by asking you to identify and correct errors in writing.

4. Expression of Ideas: This section assesses your ability to revise passages for clarity, conciseness, and effectiveness in achieving specific goals.

By mastering these skills in the Reading and Writing section, you'll be well on your way to demonstrating college-level literacy skills crucial for academic success.

PSAT/NMSQT Vocabulary

The PSAT/NMSQT doesn't expect you to be a vocabulary wizard! Here's the good news:

• Focus on Frequently Used Words: The test emphasizes words you'll encounter regularly in college-level reading and professional settings.
• Context is King: Forget memorizing definitions in isolation. The PSAT/NMSQT presents vocabulary within reading passages. Use the surrounding text as clues to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words and choose the best answer.

By building your vocabulary with common, college-level words, you'll gain several advantages:

• Enhanced Reading Speed: Recognizing vocabulary on sight allows you to read passages faster and with greater confidence.
• Reduced Guesswork: Understanding the meaning of words eliminates the need to guess their meaning from context, saving you valuable test-taking time.
• Stronger Comprehension: A solid vocabulary base improves your overall reading comprehension, making it easier to grasp the main ideas and details within the passages.

So, ditch the obscure vocabulary lists and focus on mastering frequently used words. This approach will significantly improve your performance on the PSAT/NMSQT and prepare you for the vocabulary demands of college and beyond.

The Math Test overview

The PSAT/NMSQT Math section is designed to assess your college and career readiness in math. Here's a breakdown to help you conquer this section:

Structure and Timing:

• Two Modules, Evenly Split: The Math section is divided into 2 modules, each with 22 questions. You'll get 35 minutes for each module, translating to roughly 1 minute and 35 seconds per question.
• Order Matters: Within each module, questions are arranged in order of difficulty, starting with easier concepts and progressing to more challenging ones. This allows you to showcase your skills effectively.
• Calculators Allowed: The entire Math section permits the use of an approved calculator, so you can focus on problem-solving strategies rather than complex calculations.

What to Expect:

This digital Math section assesses your knowledge and application of math concepts across four key domains:

1. Algebra (Core Foundation): This domain focuses on your ability to analyze, solve, and create linear equations and inequalities. You'll encounter questions involving linear equations in one or two variables, linear functions, systems of equations, and linear inequalities.

2. Advanced Math (Building Blocks for More): Here, you'll demonstrate your understanding of concepts crucial for advanced math courses, including absolute value, quadratics, exponentials, polynomials, and other non-linear equations.

3. Problem-Solving and Data Analysis (Thinking Like a Mathematician): This domain tests your ability to apply quantitative reasoning, analyze data, and interpret information presented in various forms like graphs and charts. Expect questions involving ratios, rates, percentages, data distributions, probability, and statistical analysis.

4. Geometry and Trigonometry (Shapes and Angles): In this domain, you'll tackle problems related to area, volume, angles, triangles, trigonometry, and circles.

Real-World Application (Approximately 30%): The PSAT/NMSQT incorporates "word problems" that set mathematical concepts within real-world contexts like science, social studies, or everyday scenarios. Solving these problems requires applying your math skills alongside an understanding of the context presented.

By familiarizing yourself with the Math section's structure, question types, and key content areas, you'll be well-equipped to approach the test with confidence and showcase your mathematical prowess.

PSAT/NMSQT Calculator Use

Calculators are powerful tools, but on the PSAT/NMSQT Math section, knowing when (and when not) to use them is key to success. Here's what you need to know:

Calculators: Allies in Efficiency

• Focus on Complex Problems: The Math section emphasizes complex modeling and reasoning. Your calculator can be a lifesaver, freeing up time for tackling these challenging problems. You can use a calculator for ALL Math section questions.
• Choose Your Weapon: The PSAT/NMSQT offers two calculator options: the built-in Desmos graphing calculator or your own approved calculator. Choose the one you're most comfortable with – practice with both during prep to find your perfect match.

Calculator Use: A Strategic Choice

While calculators are allowed, some questions are designed to be solved without them. In these cases, relying on your problem-solving skills and understanding of mathematical structures might actually be faster than using a calculator!

Calculator Rules and Tips:

• BYOC (Bring Your Own Calculator): Sharing is not allowed! Make sure you have a fresh set of batteries and that your calculator is in good working order.
• Calculator for Math Only: Keep your calculator tucked away during the Reading and Writing section.
• Calculator Misuse = Disqualification: Using your calculator to share information or cheat will get you dismissed and your scores canceled. Don't do it!
• Master the Desmos Option: If you're unfamiliar with the built-in Desmos calculator, take a practice test using the Bluebook app or the Desmos Graphing Calculator preview to get comfortable with it.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Use the same calculator you plan to use on test day during your practice sessions.
• Think Before You Calculate: Don't rely solely on your calculator. Use the scratch paper provided to work through problems and strategize before plugging numbers in.
• Acceptable Calculators: The College Board has guidelines for approved calculators. Ensure yours meets their specifications.

By understanding the role of calculators in the PSAT/NMSQT Math section and following these tips, you'll be well-equipped to leverage this tool effectively and maximize your score.

Calculators permitted during testing include:

• Most graphing calculators (see chart)
• All scientific calculators
• All four-function calculators (not recommended)

Prohibited Calculators:

• Laptops or other computers, tablets, mobile phones, smartwatches, or wearable technology
• Models that can access the internet, have wireless, Bluetooth, cellular, audio/video recording and playing, camera, or any other smartphone-type features
• Models that have a computer-style (QWERTY) keypad, pen input, or stylus
• Models that use electrical outlets, make noise (unless approved as an accommodation), or have a paper tape.

In addition, the use of hardware peripherals such as a stylus with an approved calculator is not permitted. Some models with touchscreen capability are not permitted (e.g., Casio ClassPad).

Calculator Policies.