I took the exam in my sophomore year and got 1100…
It’s not a good score, but English isn’t even my first language.
PSAT only matters for 1) National Merit Scholarship eligibility, 2) to get you on the junk mail lists of a bazillion colleges and universities, 3) as a predictor for your eventual SAT score, and 4) flagging you for honors classes at high schools that use it as a screening tool.
@happymomof1 I think you are missing THE biggest which is a full ride opportunity. As a current junior it is a huge relief to know I have a full ride to FSU, UF, UCF and some out of state colleges as well for safety schools. I would put that as 1 and National Merit Scholarship 2.
@Luska19 can you link to those full ride options? I’ve never heard of those being attached to a PSAT score.
I imagine @Luska19 is referring to the large scholarships available at those schools for kids who make National Merit Finalist, which requires a very high PSAT score junior year.
I believe so too. Just trying to get clarification for people who read this thread.
@“Erin’s Dad” These are the one’s in Florida
http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/factsheets/FIS.pdf
This is from 2016 I believe but I don’t think Oklahoma still gives a full ride but Texas A&M, Tulsa and I think UTD still does.
http://www.thecollegesolution.com/realities-national-merit-scholarships/
https://honors.utdallas.edu/nmsp
Also Texas Tech
I believe that was what @happymomof1 meant by National Merit Scholarships.
Exactly! There can be significant money for NMSF, National Achievement, and National Hispanic scholars based on the PSAT. But for everyone else, the PSAT is not particularly important. It really isn’t.
Well I’m thoroughly confused. So other then a possible full ride or gasp ONLY free tuition the PSAT isn’t important? Also I would then add up to $8,000 in scholarship money as well would rank# 2 then on the list.
I might rephrase the comment to be the PSAT IS extremely important and you should prepare. I can’t think of another single session test that can literally be worth $90,000+.
I agree in general (I made my D2 prep for it unless she could get a summer job that paid $30K :). Unfortunately the NMF scholarships have been reduced across the board in the last five years. And ultimately the PSAT is not used in college admission decisions.
@“Erin’s Dad” Just to clarify, colleges do want NMF as they list how many are enrolled in their school, correct? Also, if I understand correctly as long as I list college X as my number 1 choice I will gain automatic admission for those schools that give NMF scholarships.
@Luska19 I have two National Merit kids so far and I know how import this is to my family but please remember that that not everyone can make the cut off score, yes if you’re close to the cut off, prep all you can but if English isn’t your native language it’s very difficult to get a top score. In that case the PSAT is just a tool to help you practice for the SAT.
For us, PSAT → National Hispanic Scholar → Full Ride and Full Tuitions offers for college.
The Florida public universities give a full ride to NMF (Benacquisto Scholarships). It has always amazed me how undersold the importance of the PSAT is in Florida public schools. It is worth many thousands of $.
Florida is expanding their program to out-of-state NMF as well!
Press Release
March 11, 2018
…Benacquisto Scholarship awards (full cost of attendance) to recruit out-of-state National Merit Scholar award winners
http://www.flsenate.gov/Media/PressRelease/Show/2884
For the students whose scores are in the top 1% in their state on the PSAT, and who move on to NMS status, and for those who qualify for the National Achievement and National Hispanic cut offs, yes the PSAT is extremely valuable.
However, for the other 95% of the students, the PSAT is not important at all. Truly. You will find yourself on the email lists of a bunch of random colleges and universities - many of which won’t accept you anyway, or won’t be affordable anyway. So make a new email address just for that test. Practicing with SAT and ACT prep materials probably is as useful - if not more useful - than taking the PSAT.
If you have consistently performed well on standardized tests - say in the 85th percentile or upwards - go ahead and prep for the PSAT and see if you can do well enough to land the big bucks. But if you are not so good at those tests, sleep in a bit late on PSAT and then take your mom out to brunch.
@chercheur I would recommend that you prepare for the PSAT as much as possible. The studying, in any case, never goes to waste, as it will give you a head start on your SAT preparation.
Also, the PSAT gives you an opportunity to qualify for a national level award, as well as some scholarship money. So why not give it a try?
At the very worst, you lose nothing (and actually gain a head start for the SAT).
@kwocho19 don’t worry about your score too much. Unless you want to go to USC with a half ride, your score is fine. Just do well on the SAT. The pSAT is just supposed to be practice and colleges know that, so just prove that you are academically strong through APs and class rigor. PM me for more advice. Hope this helps 