Why You Should Take The PSAT

Bet you didn't know this little bit of information......

What is the PSAT/NMSQT exactly and why should you take it?
PSAT.-The Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test.
NMSQT-.National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

The PSAT/NMSQT is basically a verbal and math practice test to prepare for the SAT I test generally taken in the spring of your junior year. The nice thing about the PSAT is that you can take it twice; once in the fall of your sophomore year and again in the fall of your junior year.

No matter how smart you are, you won't qualify for a National Merit Scholarship if you don't take the PSAT. For some reason people seem to neglect telling you that fact.

Here are some useful links:

• Collegeboard.com has tons of info on picking colleges, college exams, scholarship info and much more. The test takes 2 hours and 15 minutes and includes Math, Critical Reading and Writing.
• The Princeton Review  offers practice PSAT and SAT tests. They also have a tool which can find you a tutor in your area.
• Yahoo! Education offers practice tests in all areas of the PSAT as well as test strategies and other helpful tools.
• Powerprep has a brief Q&A on the PSAT and other tests.
• Education Planner has an overview of the PSAT as well as helpful strategies, sample questions and a sample test.

You can also purchase software or download it online, to help prepare you for the PSAT, SAT and ACT. The one I like is Kaplan's. 
And lastly, check with your high school counselor or career resource center at school to see if they already have tools to help you prepare for the test.