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Home-Schooled Students and PSAT/NMSQT®

Why, When, and How

The Preliminary SAT®/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized test that measures the critical reading, math problem-solving, and writing skills your student has developed over the years.

Why?

Here are just some of the reasons for your student to take the PSAT/NMSQT:

  • The test is the best preparation for the SAT.
  • If your student is in the eleventh grade, he'll be eligible to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation's scholarship programs.
  • The test identifies your student's academic strengths and weaknesses.
  • The test forecasts SAT scores.
  • He'll gain access to My College QuickStart™, an online personalized college and career planning kit that he can utilize throughout high school.

When?

Students take the PSAT/NMSQT in the eleventh grade to qualify for scholarships and to prepare for the SAT. Your student can also benefit from taking the test in the tenth grade or earlier because he'll get personalized feedback on the academic skills he needs for college. By taking the test before eleventh grade, he'll have more time to develop these skills and to begin the college planning process.

Depending on the school, the PSAT/NMSQT is given on one of two days in October. Test dates for 2008 are Wednesday, October 15 and Saturday, October 18.

How Does My Student Register?

You or your student should contact a local public or independent high school. Call the school's main number and ask to be directed to whoever handles the PSAT/NMSQT arrangements. Be sure to do so well in advance of the mid-October test dates, preferably during the previous June when the majority of schools place test orders. Most high schools should be accommodating. If the school seems resistant, you should ask another school in the area. Search for high schools in your area. 

Here is a list of questions to ask the school when registering:

On which day will the test be administered? (There are only two possible PSAT/NMSQT test dates for schools. Find out which day the school has chosen.)

What is the fee? Are there any additional costs? How can I apply for a fee waiver (if applicable)?

Where is the test being held? In which classroom? How does my student get to the school?

What time is the test? When should my student arrive?

Whom can I contact if I have more questions?

How Much Does the Test Cost?

The fee for the 2008 PSAT/NMSQT is $13. The school may charge an additional fee to cover administrative costs. The College Board makes fee waivers available to schools for students in eleventh grade from low-income families who can't afford the test fee. Talk to the high school's counselor for more information.

Is My Student Eligible for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation's Scholarship Competitions?

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation cosponsors the PSAT/NMSQT. Your student must be in the eleventh grade to qualify for the scholarship competitions. Several home-schooled students have been awarded scholarships. For more information, contact your local school's counselor or the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Your child will receive personalized skills feedback based on his performance.

How Will My Student's Scores Be Reported?

While the scores of traditional students are sent to their schools, your student's score will be sent directly to his home. On test day, when completing the basic information on the answer sheet, your student should be sure to enter your state's home-school code in the "School Code" section. The test supervisor will provide this code for your student. Score reports are usually mailed in early December.

When reviewing your student's PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus, be sure to look beyond the scores to the wealth of information provided about his academic preparation. For each section of the test (critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills), he receives personalized skills feedback based on his performance.

My College QuickStart™

My College QuickStart is an easy-to-use, online, personalized college and career planning kit available free of charge to all students who take the PSAT/NMSQT. This useful tool incorporates student responses that were provided when they took the test, and it presents their data back to them in four main parts: My Online Score Report, My SAT Study Plan, My College Matches, and My Major & Career Matches. My College QuickStart is available using the access code printed on the student's paper score report, and the tool can be utilized throughout high school. Log-in or take a tour of My College QuickStart at www.collegeboard.com\quickstart.

Learn more about your student's score report.

For further information about the test, you and your student can visit About PSAT/NMSQT.