8.36 Why should I take the PSAT now?

Because you can! It’s all benefit and no risk.Think about it: If you’re in seventh or eighth grade, you might score high enough to qualify for special summer programs.If you are in ninth or tenth grade, it’s great practice for taking a standardized test under actual testing conditions.If you are a U.S. citizen in eleventh grade, the PSAT also counts as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.If you are in your final year of secondary school (for some of you, that’s year 13), you should rather be taking the regular SAT or ACT.

Athena Advises

Don’t make the mistake of taking the SAT or ACT “just for practice.” You may find yourself applying to a college that requires you to send the scores from every SAT/ACT test you have ever taken—including the one you rolled into one morning, completely unprepared!The SAT and ACT tests now each offer various official “practice” tests for younger students, but the full gamut of these tests are rarely offered outside the United States. Nevertheless, you can probably find a nearby school that will offer the PSAT! Check with your school counselor to see what is available at your school or in your region, and choose accordingly.You register for the PSAT through your school, not through the website of the College Board! By now, you’ll have to hope that your school or a nearby school has ordered enough copies of the test to find an extra one for you! The primary test day for the PSAT this year is October 11, so talk to your school counselor today!Good luck on the PSAT! Dr. Marlena CorcoranFounder and CEOAuthor of Year by Year to College, on amazon.com, amazon.de and many national amazon sites