• The PSAT/ NMSQT 

    The PSAT is typically given during the school day in October to all 10th graders and to 11th grade students who sign up. The exam is free for 10th grade students; the Shoreline School District pays for the exam. 11th grade students must pay a fee, about $20. 

    The PSAT is essentially a practice test for the SAT. The vast majority of colleges are test-optional, and many, like UW, are essentially test blind and will only consult scores for a small number of applicants. 

     

    Took the test at Shorewood and want to access the scores? Here's how.

    The scores are viewable in two ways:  in Naviance and through the College Board. 
    • In Naviance.
      • Students: access Naviance through Classlink   
      • Parent/ Guardians:  if you have not set up your Naviance observer account, see our Naviance page for instructions. 
      • Once in Naviance, go to About Me > My Stuff > Test Scores
    • Via collegeboard.org The steps below assume that the student has not set up an account.
      • Try to find your code: 
        • look for an email from the College Board (around December 5) with a unique code. This will be sent to the email address provided by the student at the beginning of the exam. 
      • On the College Board, click Sign up. Fill out the information.
      • If you have the code, you should be prompted to enter it. If you are not prompted, log out then log back in, go to the Score Reporting Portal and enter the code.
      • If you do not have the code, call PSAT Student 1-866-433-7728 and they will help you. 

     

    Who takes the PSAT? 

    The PSAT/ NMSQT is given to all Shoreline School District 10th graders in the fall of each school year, and to 11th grade students who elect to take the test. Students take the test on a school day, historically a Wednesday, in October or November.

     

    Why is the test given to 10th grade students? 

    The test is given to all sophomores for a few reasons: 

    • as practice for the SAT
    • to evaluate readiness for AP / advanced courses
    • to boost college readiness
    • to increase awareness of college preparation. 

     

    Why should 11th grade students take the test if they have already taken it the year before?

    The test only "counts" if students take it as juniors. It counts in a few ways:

    • if students elect to share their information, schools will get an idea of your range of score and may reach out;
    • the National Merit Scholarship Competition is based on 11th grade scores/ we typically have 1-5 top scorers who prequalify 
    • scores can predict SAT scores more closely in the junior year than in the sophomore year.

     

    How do 11th grade students sign up? 

    Juniors sign up by paying about $20 (may increase) to the Shorewood Business Office by the test registration deadline, which is usually about two weeks before the test date. The Business Office takes cash or check in person, or students/ families can pay online through the Shoreline School District system. On the Shorewood home page, select the online payments icon near the top right of the page. 

    Please note that this is the only time that students will sign up to take a college admissions-type test by signing up at school. Sign up for the SAT through CollegeBoard.org and for the ACT through ACT.org. 

     

    Can 9th grade students take the test? 

    Yes. They will have to sign up through the Business Office just like 11th grade students. 

    I am often asked if I recommend that 9th graders take the test, and I always respond that it depends on the student. For students who are definitely focused on college, who are likely to aim for colleges that require or encourage scores, and who do not suffer from test anxiety, taking the PSAT may be a worthwhile preparatory experience. For students who either struggle with tests or are not sure about college, the PSAT in 9th grade may be too much too soon. 

     

    What is the NMSQT part of the test name? 

    The PSAT is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. If students who take the test as 11th graders meet a certain index score--which varies by state--then they may be considered for National Merit Semi-Finalist or a National Merit Commended Scholar status. See the National Merit Scholarship Student Guide for details on the program, and the College Board's Scholarships and Recognition page for information on how students are considered and how they can opt out. 

     

    Should students prep for the PSAT?

    Preparation is not strictly necessary, but students will have an easier time with the test if they are at least familiar with the content and format. Students can pick up a test booklet that provides an overview of the test, or can use the free College Board/ Khan Academy materials. See the Test Prep page or the College Board's PSAT Practice page. There are also many commercial test prep options.