The Preliminary SAT (PSAT) / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) is a multi-purpose test conducted by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Roughly 3.5 million high school students attempt this standardized test – 10th and 11th graders form the majority although some freshers and middle school students take a stab at it too. The reasons for taking the test include:
Unlike College Board’s SAT test and ACT’s Explore and PLAN tests, registration for the PSAT Test is not available online. It is administered by high schools and registration has to be done through them. PSAT is conducted only once every year in October. There are two test dates and the school offering the test decides on the date. Homeschoolers need to work with their local high school counselor or principal in this regard – to ensure their cooperation contact them prior to June.
The basic fee to take the PSAT Test is $15, but you may have to pay less or more - some high schools charge more to cover the administrative costs while others waive all or part of the fee.
The PSAT Test, which is two hours and forty five minutes long, consists of three sections: Reading, Writing & Language, and Math. The PSAT test spec changed in October 2015 to be more aligned with the new SAT. Changes include new sections, a new scoring system, and new timing. Below is a comparison of the length and timing of the new and old versions of the test:
Check out their website for more details.
PSAT 10 is another name for the same test conducted between February and March. It is for tenth graders, conducted at the school, but not considered for the National Merit Scholarship program. One can take the PSAT 10 in the spring and the PSAT/NMSQT in the Fall of the same year.
Below is a list of PSAT Test Prep resources:
- As the precursor to SAT, it helps in correctly preparing for it, as the questions and format are similar.
- This test trains the eleventh graders for the National Merit Scholarship on their quest to become the acclaimed National Merit Scholar.
- Helps gauge ones strength and weakness at a national level with those seeking admission to colleges in the coming years.
Unlike College Board’s SAT test and ACT’s Explore and PLAN tests, registration for the PSAT Test is not available online. It is administered by high schools and registration has to be done through them. PSAT is conducted only once every year in October. There are two test dates and the school offering the test decides on the date. Homeschoolers need to work with their local high school counselor or principal in this regard – to ensure their cooperation contact them prior to June.
The basic fee to take the PSAT Test is $15, but you may have to pay less or more - some high schools charge more to cover the administrative costs while others waive all or part of the fee.
The PSAT Test, which is two hours and forty five minutes long, consists of three sections: Reading, Writing & Language, and Math. The PSAT test spec changed in October 2015 to be more aligned with the new SAT. Changes include new sections, a new scoring system, and new timing. Below is a comparison of the length and timing of the new and old versions of the test:
Check out their website for more details.
PSAT 10 is another name for the same test conducted between February and March. It is for tenth graders, conducted at the school, but not considered for the National Merit Scholarship program. One can take the PSAT 10 in the spring and the PSAT/NMSQT in the Fall of the same year.
Below is a list of PSAT Test Prep resources:
| Resource | Best Price | ISBN | Description |
| Kaplan New PSAT/NMSQT Strategies, Practice, and Review | $9.14 | 978-1625232403 | Two full-length practice tests with explanations, Review of math concepts, writing skills, and 1000 vocabulary words. Book + Online. Overview of the New PSAT (10/2015). |
Barron’s Strategies and Practice for the New PSAT/NMSQT | $12.58 | 978-1438007687 | Two practice tests reflective of the New PSAT (October 2015). Tips and strategies specific to each section. NMSQT focused advice. |
Cracking the PSAT/NMSQT Edition by Princeton Review | $3 | Two full-length practice tests, Skill review to ace PSAT Math, Critical Reading, and Writing along with a vocabulary list. Strategy review. Targeted math drills for geometry, quadratic equations, and functions. | |
| Gruber’s Complete PSAT/NMSQT Guide | $9.75 | 076-0789245794 | 3 full-length practice tests with detailed answer explanations. Math and Grammar Review, Review of frequently used PSAT Vocabulary, cram course, and strategies. |
| 11 Practice Tests for the SAT and PSAT by Princeton Review | $19.02 | 978-0804125093 | 11 tests - 10 for SAT and one for PSAT. Answers and detailed explanations. |
| 3 New PSAT Practice Tests by Ivy Global | $24.01 | 978-1942321941 | 3 full practice test with online explanations. Changes to the test explained. Introductions to the reading, writing, and math tests. Test taking strategies. |
| McGraw Hill’s PSAT/NMSQT | $3 | 3 full-length PSATs in the book and 2 more practice tests online. Diagnostic test to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses. Techniques to develop critical reasoning skills. |
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- GMAT Exam Prep Books & Resources.
- GRE Exam Prep Books & Resources.
- TOEFL Exam Prep Books & Resources.
- ACT Test Prep Books & Resources.
- EXPLORE/PLAN Test Prep Books & Resources.
- SAT Exam Prep Books & Resources.
- PSAT Test Prep (NMSQT) Books & Resources (this post).
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Test Prep Books & Resources.
- Advanced Placement (AP) Test Prep Books & Resources.
Last Updated: 04/2017.
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