Juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQT (Pre-SAT/National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test) on Wednesday, October 22nd. The exam serves as the last preparation for the SAT, which they will take in March, and the only chance to qualify for National Merit Scholarships.
Scores for standardized tests like the SAT or NMSQT are a significant factor in college admissions, especially at schools like MECHS. “Colleges tend to look at GPA and SAT scores,” according to math teacher Mrs. Black, “since rank is different than what students would have been at a traditional high school.”
The NMSQT isn’t just valuable as practice for the SAT. It’s also the only chance to become a National Merit Semifinalist. Juniors interested in National Merit scholarships should note that the reading and writing section is weighted twice as much as the math section in the NMSQT, so reading and writing should be a higher priority to study for this test.
When studying any section of the test, it’s important to focus on your weak areas, but not to neglect your strong areas. According to Collegeboard: “Try breaking up those intense study sessions with a short quiz on a skill that you’ve almost mastered. This exercise will keep you motivated, prevent your brain from getting fatigued, and boost your confidence.”
Even if a student has an idea of what they want to do to study for the test, finding time to work can be a struggle. Mrs. Black suggests studying regularly but in small and manageable blocks, “doing 20 minutes a day 4-5 days a week (1-2 hours a week)” to keep material fresh and cement it into long-term memory.
Mrs. Sallese also had advice to offer: “The key to balance is organization. Be aware of class requirements and testing dates.” It can help to keep a calendar, a list with dates, or a planner to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
Having enough time in the first place to study for the tests is also critical. Mrs. Sallese added, “Studying for the PSAT and SAT are individual preferences. I would suggest starting early to ensure a smooth study preparation.” Preparing even a few weeks in advance for any of these standardized tests can make a big difference, but with consistent practice for months in advance, a student can make even larger strides in their score.
There are several tools that can be used to improve one’s score. “Khan Academy and Mastery Prep are great to use for studying,” says Mrs. Black. There are other resources, too, such as SAT Question of the Day and the Princeton Review (which is not affiliated with Princeton University).
