Understanding the PSAT/NMSQT and National Merit: A Path to Scholarship Success

Every fall, Posnack School students prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT, an important milestone in their academic journey. Otherwise known as the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, this exam is not only practice for the SAT but also opens the door for juniors to the prestigious National Merit Scholarship. This award offers students a chance to obtain scholarships, recognition, and potentially financial rewards. But what is the true meaning behind this award, and what is its significance to students in the college admissions process?

What is the PSAT?
The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test that determines whether juniors qualify to become National Merit Scholar semifinalists. It also provides students with a glimpse of what the SAT—a standardized test used by colleges for admissions—will be like. At Posnack School, students in grades 8–11 take the PSAT/NMSQT in October to prepare for the SAT. The test is divided into two sections: evidence-based reading and writing and math. Contrary to the SAT’s maximum score of 1,600, the PSAT’s highest possible score is 1,520. 

National Merit Scholarship Program
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual competition among high school students for college scholarships and recognition. Only juniors are eligible for this scholarship, and students who score in the top 1% are considered for this prestigious program, which offers different levels of recognition, including Commended Students, Semifinalists, and Finalists, each with varying scholarship opportunities. Avishai Zieper, an 11th-grade student, shared his preparation for the PSAT. “I’m doing practice tests, I have a textbook, and I’ve also been watching recordings from an SAT tutor,” Zieper said. He found that utilizing the Bluebook practice tests and watching videos were helpful tools. Zieper also advised younger students: “I would recommend studying because even if you don’t have to in ninth and tenth grade, it still looks really good. You’re setting a base where you can only go higher.” A common reaction to taking the PSAT is stress; Zieper joked about how he handles stress by saying he gets “Breakouts and acne. No, I’m just kidding. I take deep breaths and try to manage my time better.”

Insights from an Expert
We also spoke to math teacher and College Board expert Mrs. Spunt to gain insight into the impact of the PSAT on students and their academic journey. “The PSAT is an important milestone for students, not only as practice for the SAT but as an opportunity to assess academic strengths and areas for improvement in a lower-stakes environment,” Mrs. Spunt said. “For many students, it provides their first real sense of standardized testing at this level, allowing them to develop test-taking strategies that will be useful on the SAT.” When asked how she encourages students to prepare for the PSAT, she responded, “I encourage students to see the PSAT as a practice opportunity with valuable benefits. I focus on setting realistic goals and helping them build a steady study routine rather than cramming. Emphasizing incremental progress and celebrating small victories along the way can make the preparation process more manageable. Bluebook has two practice exams that provide feedback and scores. When students receive their scores back in November, they can link their scores with Khan Academy, which creates a personalized learning plan.”

To ease anxiety, Mrs. Spunt suggested, “I recommend familiarizing students with the test structure, practicing with official College Board materials, and breaking study sessions into manageable chunks. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques, like deep breathing, can help manage stress. Using Bluebook practice tests makes the real experience feel less daunting.”

Mrs. Spunt emphasized the lasting academic benefits of PSAT preparation. “The PSAT can positively influence students’ academic performance as it often motivates them to improve in areas where they may have struggled, especially in reading comprehension, grammar, and mathematics. By practicing for the PSAT, students typically build better study habits, resilience, and time-management skills, which translate into stronger performance in their regular coursework.”

In preparation for the PSAT/NMSQT, here are a few tips to improve your score:

Familiarize yourself with the format:  Take practice tests provided by Bluebook. This will help you get used to the types of questions and timing, as well as provide a baseline score you can work to improve.

Focus on weak areas: Use practice exams to identify and target your weak areas for improvement before test day.

Use the process of elimination: Eliminating incorrect answers increases your chances of choosing the right one.

Study resources: Find study books, online resources, and study groups to enhance your understanding of the exam.

Stay consistent: Studying regularly can improve your understanding of the test and enhance your score.