<p>i'm about to be a junior, and i was just wondering how the psat is used and whether or not it matters enough to prep for it...</p>
<p>psat is completely practice, your scores are not sent to colleges. however, if you score greater than a 200(roughly), you will be entered into the first stage of the National Merit Scholarship Contest, which is isnt really that important, but can help you a little at some schools. hope that helps</p>
<p>
[quote]
The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are:</p>
<pre><code>* to receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
* to see how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
* to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (grade 11).
* to help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.
* to receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service.
</code></pre>
<p>
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'd recommend that you at least take a look at the Nat. Merit program and your qualifications regarding it. One of those scholarships can be worth serious dinero at certain schools - often at state flagship universities.</p>
<p>YES YES YES. I am KICKING myself for not prepping a little bit/trying harder on the PSAT. Guidance counselers make it sound like pure practice, but the truth is if you are a National Merit Semifinalist, it looks GREAT and you get looooooots of money at certain schools. For instance I just learned recently that one of my top choice schools, University of Southern California (it's private and selective), gives HALF TUITION to National Merit Semifinalists. Half tuition? That's an insane bonus, especially at basically the most expensive institution in the country.</p>
<p>As a parent of two National Merit Finalists I can tell you the PSAT matters. The PSAT is part of the testing system that allows you to be recuited as if you were a star quarterback. Both kids recieved inquiries from hundreds of colleges, many with straight scholarship offers without even seeing anything else. The issue of if they could be admitted to a college or university became a moot point for mine. "If they'll except me" wasn't a worry. </p>
<p>The PSAT gets the ball rolling, it gets your name out in the world to colleges that are interested in you. It's much more fun to be courted. </p>
<p>The NMF in the few years inbetween has become more of a competition among colleges as well. The offers to NMF have improved since the first was a NMF. </p>
<p>The way I look at it ANYTHING that will make a college or university give you a free education is a big deal. Between my two, they've received close to 250,000 for college. One will leave with less than 5k in debt and the other won't owe a dime after four years. It's certainly worth it.</p>
<p>what is roughly the scores for semi and finalists?</p>
<p>Check this topic for scores needed to move on: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=74297%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=74297</a></p>
<p>After reading that, I wished for the first time in my life that I lived in Wyoming.</p>
<p>ok, thanks a lot for all of the help, everyone.</p>