This year’s administration of the PSAT/NMSQT will take place on Oct. 16 at 8 a.m. The exam, which measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills and writing skills, is highly recommended to all students with college plans.

“[The PSAT is] for students that are planning on going to a four year college,” Guidance Technician Mary DeLuca said. “It’s a practice test that is just a practice test. Colleges do not get the results.”

Taking the PSAT allows students to prepare for the SAT, the standardized test most students take and submit when applying to colleges. They will become familiar with the topics tested so that when they take the SAT, they will know the material they will be tested on.

DeLuca has found that this practice allows students to get accustomed to the test-taking experience. In addition to covering the same topics as the SAT, the PSAT is administered under timed conditions as well, enabling students to become used to working under time constraints.

Another advantage of taking the PSAT is that juniors who take it can qualify for a National Merit Scholarship if their score is above a certain threshold.

“If their score is high enough, they are eligible to get scholarships based on their performance level,” DeLuca said.

Mrs. DeLuca is avaliable for sign-ups in the guidance office and strongly encourages sophomores and juniors to take the test. Freshmen are also welcome to take it.
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Date: Oct. 16
Time: 8 a.m.
Place: Carlsbad High School
Bring: Several number two pencils, a water bottle, a calculator (preferably a graphing calculator), a snack, your I.D. card and your admissions ticket.