PSAT/NMSQT

The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) test is a nationally-administered standardized exam whose results give students an indication of his/her score on the SAT exam.  The PSAT is given every year during October at high schools throughout the nation.  Unlike the SAT, it is given to students at his/her home campus during the school day (as opposed to a central location on a Saturday morning).

Results from the PSAT, along with a copy of the test itself are distributed to students so that they may learn from the experience to improve individual SAT scores (typically taken during the spring of his/her junior year).  However, there is typically a fee associated with receiving these results.

At Chaparral Star Academy, the PSAT is given to all sophomores and juniors, giving a student two opportunities to practice the SAT before the spring of his/her junior year.

For juniors, there is another aspect to the PSAT – the NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).  Students who score in the top 1% within each state on the PSAT during his/her junior year become National Merit Semi-finalists, who then apply to become National Merit Finalists.  National Merit Finalists are rewarded with numerous scholarships to the university he/she chooses to attend.  This nation-wide competition is available to all juniors and is a great way to ensure affordability of collegiate education.

For more information about the PSAT, please visit the PSAT website.