Scores from the PSAT/NMSQT, also known as the practice SAT, were recently released after students in grades 10-11 took the test on October 17th. The PSAT tests you on reading, writing, and math and gives you an individual score on both, then combines them to give you a final score. Scores can range from 320 all the way up to 1520. The reading and writing categories alone are from a 160-760 scale and the math portion is the same.  

Taking the PSAT doesn’t negatively affect any part of your grade, however, if you score high enough you can qualify for an entry into the National Merit Scholarship Program, which is an annual competition between all high school students. They compete academically to do well on this test in order to be noticed and granted college scholarships.  

Taking the PSAT is a good way to prepare for the real SAT, hence named PRACTICE SAT. Students are able to gauge where they are and what they need to study for on the real test, and many don’t study in order to have a raw score, “I did not (study for the PSAT) I wanted to see how much I knew without any extra studying,”  Junior Mia Dunlap said.  

After many weeks, scores were able to be viewed on the College board, this is the same place students who take AP tests can see their scores. If you are considering taking the PSAT or missed out on the one at the start of the school year, there are always new dates for new tests. These new scores that just came out are a pinnacle point in studying for students and what they need to learn. Many are rushing to improve their score to do well on the next test date for the real SAT in hopes of getting a good enough score for the college they want to go to, “I’m pretty happy with my score and I’m planning on taking the SAT the PSAT really helped to see how the real test would be like,” Cheyenne Bigby said.