PSAT

What is the PSAT?

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) is written and scored by College Board, the same company that writes and scores the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The PSAT provides sophomores and juniors with the opportunity to prepare for the official SAT in a very similar testing environment. This is a low-stakes testing opportunity. PSAT scores are not sent to colleges and are not a part of the college application process for any student.

For sophomores, the scores are for their own self-knowledge and preparation.

For juniors, the PSAT scores are for that same purpose, as well as qualifying them for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.

In addition to the physical experience of taking the standardized test, each student receives personalized feedback on each section of the test and can log into a personalized planning guide based on their test results at www.collegeboard.org.

The data received also provides our teachers with detailed feedback on all students’ skills that help our faculty improve student performance and provide opportunities for all students to be successful.

Benefits of Taking the PSAT

Because a college entrance test (SAT and/or ACT) is a requisite of nearly every 4-year college, any student who is contemplating college would benefit from participating in the PSAT. Taking the PSAT familiarizes students with the kind of questions, the style of directions, and the physical environment of the SAT exam. It also provides students with a projected SAT score range, excellent personalized feedback, and a study plan. This is an incredibly affordable way to prepare for a college entrance exam.

For our highest performing students, the PSAT is also the way they can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. For your tenth grader, this test provides a completely no-stakes opportunity to get acquainted with the standardized testing environment and format. It’s also a great opportunity for students who have difficulties with test-taking situations to prepare, get practice and receive personalized feedback in a safe environment, before taking the real SAT or ACT at the end of their junior year.

Preparing for the PSAT

Each student should read their Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT booklet they will receive from our counselors in September to learn more about the exam and testing day. This guide provides useful tips, test-taking strategies, practice questions, a full PSAT practice test, etc. The test will begin at 7:45 a.m. sharp and the testing window runs 3.5 hours.

Students can also access Khan Academy for free, personalized, online SAT practice. It can be used to practice for the PSAT/NMSQT because of the close alignment of the tests.

A multi-hour test can be exhausting, so the night before the exam, please encourage your student to eat a healthy dinner and get a good night’s sleep. We encourage students to eat breakfast at home in the morning. They should come dressed in layers and comfortable, non-binding clothing.

They will also want to come for the test with their:

school or government ID card (and must know their home address)
several #2 pencils
an eraser
an approved calculator
a bottle of water and a snack

Students will check for their room assignment by their legal last name. Phones, electronic devices (other than approved calculators), and/or earbuds/headphones must be turned off and/or stored as instructed by the exam proctor during the test.

PSAT Registration and Payment

The Northshore School District is offering the PSAT/NMSQT exam on Thursday, October 10th, 2024 and Thursday, October 24th, 2024 during the school day. This will be an on-campus, in person, live test. Current Juniors will automatically be registered to take this test. The PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. All 11th grade students who take the PSAT/NMSQT are also automatically screened for the National Merit Scholarship program. Our plan includes to offer the exam at Bothell, Inglemoor, North Creek, and Woodinville High School. Details are listed below:

PSAT School Day Exam Registration Information

Registration for PSAT (10^th graders only)-click on the link here https://regismart.net/#/login to create an account and scroll to your students home school to register for the PSAT (if they are a 10th grader). The registration deadline for School Day PSAT Exam is Friday, September 20th, 2024. Cost of PSAT is $20.00. Students are to register for their home school exam dates only (do not register to attend another schools exam date).

NOTE: all Juniors take the PSAT so they do not need to register as we do a bulk registration upload for all juniors. Juniors will automatically be charged the $20 registration fee.

How to Get Your PSAT and SAT Scores

Students access PSAT & SAT scores by signing in to their College Board account.

If a student does not yet have a College Board account, they should visit the College Board site and create their student account.

Please note parents must not create their own account for their student. If there are two accounts for the same student’s name and birthdate, neither will have access. If multiple accounts have been created for the same student with different email addresses, the College Board must be contacted to merge them.

Students who included an email address on their answer sheet will be emailed their access code from the College Board. Students who do not receive an emailed access code can still go to their College Board account, click to get their scores, and provide information to find their scores.

If students are having difficulties accessing their scores, College Board customer support can be contacted at 866-433-7728, Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. – 4 p.m. PST.