PSAT/NMSQT: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|High school standardized test}}

The '''PSAT/NMSQT''', or '''"Preliminary-SAT"/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test''', is a [[multiple choice]] [[standardized test]] generally taken by juniors, sophomores, and freshmen in the United States. An estimted 1.3 million students took the test in 2004. The test is administered by the [[Educational Testing Service]] (ETS) for the [[College Board]] and [[National Merit Scholarship Corporation]] (NMSC).

{{More citations needed|date=July 2014}}

{{Infobox examination

| name = Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

| image_name = PSAT NMSQT logo (2017).svg

| image_size =

| image_alt =

| caption = Logo since 2017

| acronym = PSAT/NMSQT

| type = Computer-based [[standardized test]]

| test_admin = [[College Board]], [[National Merit Scholarship Program|NMSC]]

| skills_tested = Reading, mathematics

| purpose =

| year_started = <!-- {{Start date|YYYY}} -->

| year_terminated = <!-- {{End date|YYYY}} -->

| duration = 2 hours 14 minutes

| score_range = 160–760 for two sections, adding up to a maximum score of 1520

| score_validity =

| offered = High school juniors, sophomores, and freshmen (only in some schools)

| attempt_restriction =

| regions =

| language =

| test_takers =

| prerequisite =

| fee =

| score_users =

| qualification_rate =

| free_label =

| free =

| website = <!-- {{URL|https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10|College Board:PSAT/NMSQT}} -->

| footnotes =

}}

The '''Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test''' ('''PSAT/NMSQT''') is a [[standardized test]] administered by the [[College Board]] and cosponsored by the [[National Merit Scholarship Program|National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC)]] in the [[United States]]. In the 2018–2019 school year, 2.27 million high school sophomores and 1.74 million high school juniors took the PSAT.<ref name="CB">{{Cite web |date=2019 |title=2019 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report Total Group|url=https://reports.collegeboard.org/pdf/2019-total-group-sat-suite-assessments-annual-report.pdf |access-date=July 19, 2020 |publisher=[[College Board]] |page=7}}</ref> It is expected that in 2024, 3.5 million students will take this exam, according to the [[National Merit Scholarship Corporation]]. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024 |title= 2024 Estimation of Students taking PSAT|url=https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=1876#:~:text=It%20is%20expected%20that%20about,requirements%20to%20enter%20this%20program}}</ref>

Scores from the PSAT/NMSQT are used to determine eligibility and qualification for the [[National Merit Scholarship Program]].<ref name="quickref">{{cite web |title=2014 PSAT/NMSQT® Quick Reference |url=https://www.collegeboard.org/pdf/psat/psat-nmsqt-quick-reference-handout.pdf |access-date=2015-03-16}}</ref>

==The Test and Scores==

The test is composed of three sections: [[mathematics|Mathematics]], [[verbal|Critical Reading]], and [[writing|Writing]]. Each section is worth eighty points, which add up to a maximum composite score of 240 points. The PSAT scores are graded on a similar scale to the [[Scholastic Aptitude Test]] (SAT) test. Each section is scored on a scale of 20 to 80 points (lower scores are possible, but are discarded). Each section on the SAT is graded on a scale of 200 to 800, allowing a PSAT score to predict a comparable SAT score (the difference is mainly to help distinguish from which test a score comes). However, unlike the New SAT (2005), the New PSAT does not include higher-level math (i.e. concepts from [[Algebra 2]]) or an essay in its writing section (the section is new to the SAT in 2005). The addition of the three scores is known as the Selection Index and is used, along with four general criteria for eligibility and priliminary selection in the National Merit Scholarship Competition.

==History ==

==National Merit Scholarship Competition==

{{Education in the U.S.}}

The scores from the PSAT are also used (with the permission of the student) to determine eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. In addition to the score, a student must be either a Junior on a four-year graduation program or in the second year of a three-year graduation program, be a citizen of the United States, and be graduating in the year two years after they take the test (i.e., for the 2004 exam the student must graduate in 2006). However, for three-year graduates, there is a slightly more complicated and ambiguous set of selection criteria.

The PSAT has been administered every fall since 1971. Some PSAT scores obtained before June 1993 are accepted as qualifying evidence for admission to [[High-IQ society|intellectual clubs]] such as [[Intertel]] and [[American Mensa]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Intertel - Join us|url=https://www.intertel-iq.org/join-us|access-date=2021-05-20|website=www.intertel-iq.org}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Qualifying test scores|url=https://www.us.mensa.org/join/testscores/qualifying-test-scores/|access-date=2021-05-20|website=American Mensa|language=en}}</ref>

Prior to 1997, the PSAT was composed of only Math and Verbal sections. The Verbal section received a double weighting to allow a full composite score of 240 points.<ref name=colloquy>{{cite web | title=Conversion norms for general population on supervised tests|url=http://www.colloquysociety.org/col82nrm.htm| access-date=2009-10-02}}</ref> The Writing Skills section, introduced in 1997, was partially derived from the discontinued Test of Standard Written English (TSWE).<ref name=revised>{{cite web | title=Revised PSAT Debuts in October|url=http://www.fairtest.org/revised-psat-debuts-october| access-date=2009-10-02}}</ref>

The first recognized category, with a general Selection Index cutoff of around 200-204 is Commended Scholars and comprises about 35,000 of the top 55,000 students. The highest scorers in this group (generally a Selection Index of 214-218) are designated National Merit-Semifinalists. This group numbers around 15,000. Designations are made on the basis of equitable state representation. Therefore, each state has different cutoff scores.

The PSAT changed its format and content in Fall 2015. Originally, each of the three sections was scored on a scale of 20 to 80 points, adding up to a maximum composite score of 240 points. This paralleled the SAT, which is graded on a scale of 200 to 800 for each section (the narrower range is to distinguish from which test a score comes and to denote less accuracy). However, unlike the old (2005) SAT, the old PSAT did not include higher-level mathematics (e.g. concepts from Algebra II) or an essay in its writing section (which was added to the SAT in 2005). The number of multiple-choice answers was reduced from five to four, improving the likelihood of making a successful guess, and the quarter-point penalty for wrong answers was eliminated.

With the exception of about 1000 students, all Semifinalists advance to Finalist standings based on external (non PSAT score based) qualifications, which in the past have included items such as explicit application for finalist designation, principal recommendation, etc. Finalists are eligible to receive National Merit Scholarship awards. This group consists of approximately 6,000 students.

Continuing with the College board's transition to digital SATs internationally, the first digital PSATs were administered in October 2023.

In a small number of cases, because the NMSC only awards scholarships to students attending colleges in the United States, a very small number of National Merit Scholars sometimes lose their scholarship awards. If this is the case the student is not given a scholarship but is instead designated an Honorary Merit Scholar, which acknowlegdes achievement without any financial assistance.

==Cheating Format and Fairnessscoring==

=={{See also|National Merit Scholarship Competition==Program}}

Most students in a classroom will have exactly the same test, but because of the nature of the test, and specific rules concerning seating of the students, the chances for success of cheating are low. However, if a group of students worked together to actively cheat, the computer grading the exams would likely catch them in the act- because it is set to evaluate answer patterns for irregularities such as several scores in one class with the exact same questions wrong.

Students register for the exam through high schools that are members of the College Board. The test is composed of two sections: 1) Reading and Writing and 2) Math. Each section has two modules. Each Reading and Writing module lasts 32 minutes, and each Math module lasts 35 minutes, for a total of 2 hours and 14 minutes.

To be fair, there is a significant problem with proctors and calculators. The testing administrator is supposed to make sure the memory of the calculator is cleared for the math section of the exam (it is supposed to be put away on the other sections) but this is rarely done in practice.

The PSAT changed its format and content again in the Fall of 2023, continuing the transition to digital tests. The Reading and Writing Sections are combined into one section score, and the Math section now allows calculators on all sections. The scores for each section range from 120 to 760, adding up to a maximum score of 1520. A Selection Index Score is calculated by doubling the Reading and Writing section score, adding the Math section score, and dividing the total by ten.

== External links ==

*[http://www.collegeboard.com/ The College Board]

===Levels of recognition===

*[http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html PSAT page from The College Board]

There are three levels of recognition: "Commended", Semi-Finalists, and Finalists. About 34,000 students, which is 3-4% of all PSAT takers, are "commended" and receive Letters of Commendation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-01-27|title=Understanding the National Merit Scholarship Program|url=https://www.sparkadmissions.com/blog/understanding-the-national-merit-scholarship-program/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Spark Admissions}}</ref>

*[http://www.nationalmerit.org/ National Merit Scholarship Corporation]

The "commended" cutoff is determined at whichever score yields the 96th percentile nationally. It rose from 202 for the 2006 Program (2004 PSAT) to 203 for the 2007 Program (2005 PSAT).{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} It was 205 for the 2008 Program (2006 PSAT) and 209 for the 2009 Program (2007 PSAT).

Students are confirmed as semifinalists as seniors, one year after taking the PSAT. Afterward, students must complete an application to become finalists that includes grade point average, extracurricular activities, school recommendations, and awards and honors alongside a confirming SAT or [[ACT (test)|ACT]] score. Approximately 95% of semifinalists quality as finalists as of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2024 |title=Guide to the National Merit® Scholarship Program |url=https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/images/gid2/editor_documents/guide_to_the_national_merit_scholarship_program.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024504/https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/images/gid2/editor_documents/guide_to_the_national_merit_scholarship_program.pdf?gid=2&pgid=61&sessionid=c7615951-b828-4b3d-ad1a-e6c9380f3b24&cc=1 |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 12, 2024}}</ref>

==Popular culture==

In recent years, it has become a popular subject of discourse among test-takers on various social media networks. Many of them poke fun at passages or questions in the PSAT that they find strange or amusing. The level of discussion is so significant that in 2013, the [[hashtag]] #PSAT reached trending status on [[Twitter]] near its administration date.<ref name="psatangst">{{cite news|last1=Strauss|first1=Valerie|work=[[The Washington Post]]|title=#PSAT — Students tweet amusing reactions to standardized test|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/10/16/student-angst-over-taking-the-psat-in-five-tweets/|date=2013-10-16}}</ref> This is even though since 2012, test participants have been required to copy and sign a statement agreeing to the test regulations, which include not discussing the test. Previously, that statement had to be written in [[cursive]], a requirement that had drawn ire from both students and teachers, as many students found writing the statement in cursive to be difficult. However, in 2015, the requirement to write the statement in cursive was removed.<ref name="psatangst" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Teacher fights cursive requirement on PSAT|url=http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/teacher-fights-cursive-requirement-psat/nhp7b/|access-date=16 March 2015|___location=Douglas County, GA|date=2014-10-22|archive-date=2015-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117210424/http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/teacher-fights-cursive-requirement-psat/nhp7b/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==

{{Portal|Education|United States}}

*[[SAT]]

*[[PLAN (test)|PLAN]] (a preliminary [[ACT (test)|ACT]] test)

==References==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* [http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about/ontest.html PSAT page fromWhat's Theon Collegethe BoardTest]

{{College Board}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:PSAT NMSQT}}

[[Category:Standardized tests in the United States]]

[[Category:1971 introductions]]