PSAT Testing General Question

Paying for College
1

<p>I'm truly sorry if this is a dumb question. But my son took the PSAT at the end of his sophmore year, I believe it was in May or June 2011. They don't seem to be offering it in October 2011, and the student advisor at his school seems to be on maternity leave. Does that mean he has no chance to participate in the National Merit Scholarship program? Or would the test taken during sophmore year count? I'm a little peeved unable to find any information.</p>

<p>On the PSAT site they only listed 4 schools taking the test this October 2011, my childs school was not listed. Two were private schools with "*" stating they were not participating. I live in San Francisco where there are lots of private school. Wouldn't it be foolish for them not to let the kids participate. Am I worrying for nothing and the sophomore test was the test used. I didn't realizes it importance till recently. Thanks in advance for any advise or clarification.</p>

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<p>They will only look at the Junior PSAT test for NMF, not sophomore. </p>

<p>Dates
In 2011, high schools may administer the PSAT/NMSQT on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 or Saturday, October 15, 2011.</p>

<p>If you live in SF area, there has to be many schools participating. Can you do a wider search? </p>

<p>Also, have you contacted the school and see if anyone else is administrating the PSAT? Do you have any friends who’s children are taking it.</p>

3

<p>Now I’m like stumped, does this mean that the school he’s going to is not participating and I’m wasting my time trying to figure this out. Does the school have to be a participant in this program?</p>

<p>I just emailed the one counselor that I know personally hopefully she can shed some light.</p>

<p>If I did a wider search it would be outside SF County. I highly doubt another county over would accept a student from a different school district. Or do you think thats possible?</p>

4

<p>I don’t think it’s limited by county. Hopefully you will get an answer from your school. A lot of students don’t take the PSAT. My S took it but didn’t qualify as a NMS, but was a National Hispanic Scholar which did help at some colleges.</p>

<p>The Collegeboard website says:</p>

<p>Find Schools in Your Area Giving the PSAT/NMSQT</p>

<p>Visit the PSAT/NMSQT search page to find out when your school is administering the PSAT/NMSQT. If your school has not yet registered for the next PSAT/NMSQT, check back at a later date as schools may register for the October test throughout the spring and fall.</p>

<p>If you do not attend a school that is offering the PSAT/NMSQT, you may contact a school in your area and request to take the test there. While the College Board encourages schools to host other students if possible, some schools are not able to do so. A school’s appearance on this list does not indicate ability or willingness to host other students.</p>

5

<p>Was it the actual PSAT he took? I have never heard of it being offered in May. I thought it was only ever offered once a year in October.</p>

6

<p>I’ve never heard of a spring PSAT either, only Oct.</p>

<p>I agree that you should make some calls and see if your S can take it this year at another school.</p>

7

<p>At my S’s school, they take the Plan test in 10th grade…optional.</p>

8

<p>Yes, we had the PLAN test as well. As far as I can recall (been a while) it is related to the ACT and has no particular benefit other than the opportunity to do a practice test. </p>

<p>I am pretty sure the PSAT is not offered in the spring.</p>

9

<p>There is no PSAT in the spring.</p>

<p>You need to find out where your son can take the PSAT if his school doesn’t have it. You’ll have to pay.</p>

<p>Ask other schools/districts/whatever. Ask private schools as well.</p>

<p>You might ask some homeschooling families where they take it.</p>

10

<p>You can take the PSAT at another school - but you need to contact them quickly to be sure they have enough exams. My D is in the same situation, and is taking the PSAT at another school. If you do miss it, you can still apply to the NMSQT with SAT scores - but you need to contact them to request permission to do so.
The school was very willing to have my daughter sit with their students - she just has to bring her ID and $$ for the test.</p>

11

<p>Okay now after some emailing back and forth they announce it this week. It’s on October 12th. But when I go to the PSAT website I don’t see his school listed. Whats the chance he’s taking it and his school is not participating in the NMS. Sigh I’m worrying for no reason I’m sure. But we’ll see. How much does this test usually cost? Could they be offering some weird test that is something else and they’re just calling is the PSAT. Hmmm I wish there website was a little better at his school.</p>

<p>He’s taking whatever there giving, and I was told its only $5.00 or something. Does that sound remotely right? But I guess they basically waived the fee for almost everyone.</p>

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<p>Price sounds about right if they are paying for part of it. It may not be on the PSAT website yet…good luck!</p>

13

<p>capenn15 thank you soooo much for your replies. Your relieving a lot of my jitters. Hopefully he aces it. Whatever he took last year he aced. Hopefully he does even better this year.</p>

14

<p>Call NMCorp and ask if your school is participating.</p>

<p>Nat’l Merit Corp 847-866-5100 </p>

<p>Look again to find your school…if your school in a town/village? If so, the more major city may be listed.</p>

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<p>Your son did NOT take a PSAT in the spring…unless it was some informal thing the school cobbled together. The test if ONLY administered by the College Board in October.</p>

<p>Maybe he took the SAT? Look at your score report…it will CLEARLY say which test he took. You should have received a report from the College Board.</p>

<p>Your child’s HIGH SCHOOL does not “participate” in the PSAT. They simply act as a site for administration…or not. Contact the principal of your school ASAP to see where others from your school are taking the PSAT…I’m sure you are not the only parent who wants their high school junior to take the PSAT.</p>

<p>Also, find out what is happening for students who need advising in the absence of the counselor on maternity leave. There should be someone taking that person’s place.</p>

16

<p>We found his score and stuff online. The wife and son said it was November the prior year or something like that. Now I’m panicy about his score. He got 200 his sophmore year taking the PSAT and that was like 1-2 wrong in each section. Now have to tell the son to buckle up and practice a little more prior to the test.</p>