PSAT/NMSQT

PSAT/NMSQT 

Who: 11th graders

When: Fall - Individual Tacoma schools will choose a day during the district window of October 14-25

Registration: all juniors are pre-registered, if you would like to opt-out, contact your CollegeBoard advisor (see below).

How: Digital administration at student's school, during the regular school day 

  • TPS pays PSAT/NMSQT exam fees.
  • Students should bring their district laptop (making sure it is updated and charged), power cord, wired headset (no wireless), pen or pencil, and student ID. Students may also bring an approved calculator.
  • Please direct questions/concerns to the student's school.
  • Exam scores will be available in December.     

What is the PSAT/NMSQT?

The Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized college admission exam that is used to determine eligibility and qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program, and also serves as a practice test for the SAT. There are three sections on the PSAT/NMSQT: Math, Reading, and Language & Writing. The total testing time is 2 hours and 45 minutes, and it includes 139 questions.

Online score reports show the skills students should work on and connect students to the following resources:

  • Tutor.com- Free LIVE Tutoring is available through tutor.com, students access tutoring through Clever
  • Khan Academy- Free personalized SAT study based on your test results
  • AP Potential™- Feedback and recommendations on future classes
  • Career Finder- where students can create their own career roadmap
  • BigFuture- explore colleges, majors, and careers
  • Student Search Service- Connect and receive information about educational and financial aid opportunities from eligible colleges, universities, and other scholarships and educational programs.

Who takes the PSAT/NMSQT?

TPS offers the PSAT/NMSQT to enrolled 11th graders on several school days in the fall & winter. TPS pays the PSAT/NMSQT exam fees for enrolled TPS students and preregisters them for one of the offered sessions. Students in other grades, or those who prefer to take the test on a Saturday, may do so at their own cost.

How is the PSAT/NMSQT administered?

It is a digital exam administered at a school location.

Resources