Few people have heard of the PSAT, but many don’t even know what it is exactly. Is it just an adapted aptitude test? And, is SAT harder than PSAT? What does the PSAT have to do with the SAT? This article aims to shed light on what exactly the PSAT is, how it differs from the SAT, and whether it should be taken as seriously as the SAT.
Main Difference Between PSAT and SAT
Both PSAT and SAT are similar tests issued by the College Board designed to assess students’ critical thinking skills. Many consider the PSAT to be a “baby” of the SAT, which is a pretty accurate explanation. The main differences are in their length, content, scoring, test dates, and significance. The SAT contains ten segments and takes nearly four hours (3 hours and 45 minutes) to complete.
The PSAT contains five segments and can take just over 2 hours (2 hours and 10 minutes). Both tests assess the same subject areas: writing, critical reading, and math, but the writing section of the PSAT does not include an essay section, just as the math section of the PSAT does not cover theories of Algebra 2. The PSAT is offered once a year, usually during the third week of October.
However, there may be more than one test date in that week. Both tests are very important stepping stones to college admission. Many people are well aware of the direct role the SAT plays in the college application process, but obviously, fewer understand the importance of the PSAT. Many people push the PSAT aside, thinking that “it’s just a practice SAT” or that “it doesn’t really count for college,” a big mistake:
The National Merit Scholarship
As the name implies, students who do well on the PSAT are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship. The National Merit Scholarship, awarded annually to 2,500 students in the United States, is an outstanding award that can also expand a student’s educational opportunities. Being named a National Merit Scholar finalist or semifinalist can be beneficial to a student. Many colleges actively seek out these students through scholarships and special programs.
It is not only because it is a sign of a student’s academic ability but also because they benefit from the ranking if they choose to participate. “But so many people get great PSAT scores. “How can my son/daughter compete if they attend?”, you may ask. A good PSAT score is just a qualifying condition, the proverbial foot in the door. A true National Merit Scholar must have a full package of accomplishments, extracurricular activities and other attributes to make it to the end of the road.
The Barometry of PSAT
Although only seniors are eligible for the National Merit Scholar, students can take the PSAT as sophomores. Taking the sophomore year (or perhaps earlier if your mother insists) has two advantages.
- As the SAT and PSAT are so similar, it is reasonable to argue that a student’s performance on the PSAT