Think the PSAT Doesn’t Matter Yet? Think Again.

We have exciting news to share: the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalists have been announced! The highest-scoring test takers from each state will now have the opportunity to submit applications to become finalists.  

In previous blog posts, we have shared a quick guide to the PSAT, as well as insight into the National Merit Scholarship program! This year, we want to highlight what the PSAT is and why it matters for younger students to prepare. 

What is the PSAT/NMSQT?

The acronym is a mouthful! The PSAT/NMSQT stands for the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test, an annual academic competition for recognition and college scholarships. Students enter the program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT in their junior year of high school. Out of an estimated 1.3 million high schoolers taking the PSAT, only 15,000 finalists will be eligible for National Merit Scholarships. 

Why should I start preparing for the PSAT/NMSQT early?

While you may have heard of the PSAT as a “practice SAT,” it has a greater significance. In addition to eligibility for National Merit Scholarships, doing well on the PSAT is a valuable tool for preparing for the SAT (or ACT). 

The PSAT offers a realistic practice experience without the high stakes—helping students build confidence and gain test-taking strategies like timing, pacing, and managing multiple-choice questions under pressure. Because the PSAT mirrors the SAT’s format and question types, it also helps students become familiar with the structure of the real test. After taking the PSAT, students receive a detailed score report that highlights their strengths and pinpoints areas for improvement in both reading and math, making it easier to focus test prep where it’s needed most. 

What should I expect from the PSAT/NMSQT?

The PSAT takes 2 hours and 14 minutes and consists of 2 sections: The Reading and Writing section and the Math Section. Like the SAT, the PSAT is fully digital and has a multistage adaptive design, meaning student performance on each section’s first module determines the difficulty of the second module. Most of the questions are multiple choice, though some math questions ask you to write in the answer rather than select it.

The Reading and Writing Section:

While the Reading and Writing Section may sound like it focuses on your skills in English, the 54 multiple-choice questions in this section cover literature, history/social studies, the humanities, and science. 

Take note: in addition to testing your vocabulary and reading comprehension, this section of the test evaluates your ability to analyze and interpret informational graphics such as tables and bar graphs! 

The Math Section:

The 44 questions in the Math Section will include multiple choice and student-produced response questions. You may use a calculator for the entire Math section of the test. 

One thing to note about the Math section: about 30% of the questions will be word problems. These may take place in the context of science, social studies, or “real-world scenarios.”

I’m an 8th or 9th grader. How do I prepare for the PSAT?

We have a helpful blog post covering ways to prepare for the PSAT. Here are some helpful strategies:

1. Familiarize yourself with the format and structure of the PSAT.

2. Take a practice PSAT and use your results to identify your focus areas and create a study plan. 

3. Try taking the PSAT 8/9! 

While the official PSAT/NMSQT is administered in the spring of your Junior year, many schools offer the opportunity to take a preliminary-Preliminary SAT as early as 8th grade. The PSAT 8/9 is a great opportunity to get comfortable with the testing format. Not all schools offer the PSAT 8/9, so you will need to check with your school counselor! 

I’m a 10th grader. How do I prepare for the PSAT?

1. Take a diagnostic PSAT and SAT. Like our 9th-graders, start by taking a diagnostic test to determine your current baseline score, and to get a sense of the sections you feel most confident with, and which you find more challenging. 

2. Make a detailed test prep strategy and plan out your official testing schedule. Check out this blog post on creating a SAT/ACT Prep Schedule. Identify your strongest and weakest points so that you know what to study first. 

3. Take the time to adequately prepare for the PSAT 10! Treat this like it’s an official SAT instead of practice to get a more accurate sense of your future SAT performance. 

The PSAT 10 and the PSAT/NMSQT are identical! The PSAT 10 is given to 10th graders in the spring, while the PSAT/NMSQT is given to 11th graders in the fall. Like the PSAT 8/9, you will need to contact your school counselor to see if they offer the PSAT 10. 

For all students: 

Sign up for test-prep! B2A offers year-round programs including intensive classes over Winter, Spring, and Summer breaks, semester-long classes, cram sessions, 1:1 tutoring, and FREE practice test materials.