About the PSAT/NMSQT

What is the PSAT/NMSQT?
When should I take the PSAT/NMSQT?
Why should I take the PSAT/NMSQT?
What is covered on the PSAT/NMSQT?
How can I prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT?

What is the PSAT/NMSQT?
The PSAT is the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test and is also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT)  It is not a college admissions test. It is a 2-hour test given once a year in October.

When should I take the PSAT/NMSQT?
Most high school students take the PSAT/NMSQT during their junior year, however many schools now allow sophomores to take the test also. In addition to serving as a practice SAT I, the PSAT/NMSQT is also the qualifying test for National Merit Scholarships. This only applies to those students who are taking the PSAT/NMSQT as juniors. If you take it any earlier, that score won't be considered for National Merit. (For additional information on the National Merit Scholarship Corportation go to www.nationalmerit.org.

For Kern County AIAA schools, the PSAT/NMSQT will be administered on the following days for the 2001-2002 schoool year:

October 16, 2001 (Tuesday)

October 20, 2001 (Saturday)

East Bakersfield High
Foothill High
Frazier Mountain High
Kern Valley High
McFarland High
Maricopa High
Mojave High
North High
Rosamond High
Shafter High
South High
Taft Union High

Bakersfield High
Highland High
Tehachapi High

The test is administered through high schools and not through test centers. Online registration for the PSAT/NMSQT is NOT available. If you want to take the PSAT/NMSQT, contact your high school counselor or principal to find out about registering for the tests; paying fees; and learning the correct date, time, and location that your school will give the test. Your guidance office should also have a copy of the PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin which will help you to prepare.

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Why should I take the PSAT/NMSQT?
The PSAT/NMSQT will help you to:

  • compare yourself with other college-bound students around the country.
  • find out what the SAT is like.
  • assess your verbal, math, and writing skills.
  • forecast your SAT scores.
  • enter the NMSC scholarship competitions.

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What is covered on the PSAT/NMSQT?
The PSAT/NMSQT measures the critical reading, math problem-solving, and writing skills that you've been developing throughout your education.

There are five sections that make up the 2-hour and 10-minute test: 2 math sections (a total of 40 problems); 2 verbal sections (a total of 52 problems); and 1 writing skills section.

  • The math portion of the PSAT/NMSQT consists of two 25-minute tests made up of 20 multiple choice problem solving questions, 12 quantitative comparison problems, and 8 grid-in problems.
  • The verbal portion of the PSAT/NMSQT consists of two 25-minute tests made up of 13 sentence completion questions, 13 analogy questions, and 26 critical reading questions.
  • The writing skills portion of the PSAT/NMSQT is made up of one 30-minute test made up of usage questions, sentence corrections, and revision-in-context. On this section, you will be given sentences with underlined portions that might or might not be correctly written. It is your job to choose the answer that corrects the error in the underlined portion. You will not be asked to write an essay.
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How can I prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT?
The best way to prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT is to take challenging academic courses and to do plenty of reading throughout your school years. Additionally, there are a number of test prep products that you might also find useful as you get ready. These products are designed to help you become more familiar with the types of questions on the tests, develop test-taking skills, lower your testing anxiety, and build confidence.

For additional information regarding the PSAT/NMSQT be sure to check out the College Board website.


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