Calling All 2022-23 Sophomores and Juniors: Here Are the Upcoming PSAT® Test Dates
For the incoming classes of sophomores and juniors, now is a prime opportunity to get your ducks in a row by scheduling and preparing for the PSAT®.
Why Take the PSAT®?
In a previous post, we gave the top 5 reasons why students should take the PSAT®. Let’s give a quick recap (for a further in-depth review, be sure to read “Five Reasons Students Should Take the PSAT®”):
The PSAT® is a perfect trial run for the SAT®. Taking the PSAT® allows students to get a real feel for the content and question types of the SAT®. While practice tests are great, having the opportunity to get a more empirical experience than a practice test is a huge advantage when it comes time to prepare and take the SAT®.
As we’ve mentioned before, while the content in each of the SAT® Suite of Assessments varies in degree of difficulty, much of the content runs parallel. Each of the tests assess student performance in reading, writing and language, and math. The structure, style of questions, and the content are similar, making the PSAT® the ideal bench test in preparation for the SAT®.
PSAT® scores provide high schools with helpful data on student performance. Helping high schools get a better understanding of how their curricula and faculty are doing in teaching essential information in key subjects is crucial for school districts. This kind of data is what helps schools keep their own performances in check to better serve their students.
The PSAT® can help students earn money for college. The PSAT® is also known as the PSAT-NMSQT®, the latter half of which is the acronym for National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test. The National Merit Scholarship Program currently offers a total of 8,500 scholarships, some of which range between $1,000 and $10,000 per year for those students who qualify.
PSAT® scores help students identify their academic strengths and weaknesses. The post-test analysis provided by College Board acts as an essential guide in helping students effectively prepare for the SAT®. Having a pre-SAT® test performance to review allows students and tutors to plan a solid test-prep strategy off of, giving a major leg up to those students in preparation for the SAT®.
Students who take the PSAT® get to experience authentic testing conditions. In addition to getting a real feel for the content and question types, students who take the PSAT® get a chance to genuinely experience what it’s like to take a high-stakes test.
As previously discussed, the SAT® Suite of Assessments are timed tests—just like the SAT®—with varying lengths and times depending on the test. This means that students will be able more adeptly build up their stamina and focus required to succeed.
Also, taking the PSAT® will only help students (especially those with test anxiety, which is most students) feel more confident and less anxious as they prepare for the real high-stakes test—the SAT®.
How Can Students Take the PSAT®?
The PSAT® is administered through each high school and also on an individual basis. The PSAT® is not given through test centers like the ACT® and SAT®. Each high school chooses the available dates to offer the PSAT® to their students. What this means is that students need to be in contact with their school administrators or guidance counselors in order to register for the PSAT® and know the exact test date(s).
Upcoming PSAT-NMSQT® Test Dates for Fall 2022
The available dates for high schools to administer the PSAT-NMSQT® are:
Primary Test Day: Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Saturday Test Day: October 15, 2022
Alternate Test Day: Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Score Release: In late November, test scores are made available to educators online via the K-12 reporting portal.
Student scores are released online between December 5-6, 2022. Score availability varies by state.
For more information, go to College Board’s PSAT-NMSQT® Test Dates and Deadlines page.
Upcoming PSAT 10® Test Dates for Winter/Spring 2023
The available windows for high schools to administer the PSAT 10® are:
February 21, 2023 - March 24, 2023
April 12 - 28, 2023
For more information, go to College Board’s PSAT 10® Test Dates and Deadlines page.
Upcoming PSAT 8/9® Test Dates for Fall 2022 and Winter/Spring 2023
The available windows for high schools to administer the PSAT 8/9® are:
September 26, 2022 - January 27, 2023
February 21, 2023 - March 24, 2023
April 12 - 28, 2023
For more information, go to College Board’s PSAT 8/9® Test Dates and Deadlines page.
As always, we at Clear Choice Prep are here to help you and your test-prep business best support your clients and their academic needs. To help you further lay the groundwork to help build up their educational goals and objectives, contact us for a free demo to find out more about our 100% custom-branded test-prep software and curriculum. Let us help you take your business and your clients’ goals to the next level.