PSAT ~
SAT ~ ACT
(Some of these external links
can be very slow. Be patient.)
PSAT
What is the PSAT?
The PSAT is a two-hour test given once a year in October. As with the SAT, you receive separate math and verbal scores. In addition, the test also includes a third scored section testing English grammar. Each subject is scored on a scale of 20 to 80 and these scores are combined to create your National Merit Scholarship selection index.
Who Takes the PSAT?Almost all students take the PSAT during their junior year, but many students also take the PSAT during their sophomore year. Only scores from the PSAT taken in your junior year are considered for the National Merit Scholarship competition.
Didn't the PSAT Change?
Starting in 1997, the PSAT began to include not only math and verbal sections, but also an English grammar section. We will be adding more information about this section as ETS releases more information.
National Merit Scholarship Competition
The National Merit Scholarship, sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), is an annual competition that awards approximately 7,000 scholarships for undergraduate study. The selection process starts with the selection of National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists and Commended Scholars. Cutoffs vary from state to state but typically Semi-Finalists score in the top 1 percent of students in their state and Commended Scholars between the to 4 and and 1 percent. Most of the approximately 15,000 Semi-Finalists become Finalists, but only half of Finalists ultimately receive National Merit Scholarships.
PSAT Test Dates
10/17/00 10/21/00
For more information, contact:
National Merit
Scholarship Corp.
1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 200
Evanston, Il 60201-4897
(708) 866-5100
SAT
The Basics
Learn
what the tests are and access a guide to taking the SAT.
Dates & Registration
Registration
and test dates.
Register
for the SAT online.
Preparing
Three
down-and-dirty tips to taking the SAT.
Check
out reports on past SAT tests' Verbal & Math questions.
Get an
edge on taking the SAT test with courses from The Princeton Review.
Find
the location of a Princeton Review course near you.
ACT
The Basics
Learn
what the tests are and access a guide to taking the ACT.
Dates & Registration
Registration
and test dates.
Register for the
ACT online.
Preparing
Check
out reports on past ACT test questions.
Get an
edge on taking the ACT test with courses from The Princeton Review.
Find
the location of a Princeton Review course near you.
Other
Worried About Getting Accepted to Your Top Choice?
Apply online to more than 500 schools.
Search our database of more than 500,000 scholarships.
Find a Scholarship with the Scholarship Search tool.
Got questions on student loans? Get the facts.