PSAT stands for “Preliminary SAT.”

NMSQT (Go ahead, say “Nim Squat”. You know you want to!) stands for National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

The College Board accomplishes two goals with the PSAT:

1. Gives students a preview of what the SAT will be like.
2. Screens high-scoring students for qualification for a National Merit Scholarship.

For the NMSQT, only scores from a student’s junior year count for the scholarship competition. The “Selection Index” is calculated by doubling the Verbal section score, adding the Math sub-score, and dividing by 10.

For an in-depth look at the National Merit Scholarship process, check out our guide here.

If you’re planning on working toward National Merit Commended or Semifinalist, you’ll need to plan on prepping for it.  Ideally, you’ll work over the summer and take the August SAT and the October SAT (October depending on how that coordinates or doesn’t with your school’s PSAT date).  Then, you’ll have two more times to take the SAT (November and December) and, with preparation, be finished with testing by the holidays.

Check out our Goal 1600 Class which will accomplish all of the above!