Dear Homeschooling Parents,

The PSAT exam in October is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for your rising 11^th grader to win scholarships and recognition. Over $235 million in scholarships are awarded to students taking this exam. The PSAT is now administered as a digital test. Summer is a great time for students to prepare and for parents to find out how to register their student(s) for this test.

Unlike the SAT, which the College Board offers several times a year, the PSAT that determines National Merit Scholarship winners is only offered in October. You may be able take it as a tenth grader, but only the score you earn in October as an eleventh grader (a junior) is considered as your score for National Merit Scholar status. That is why its full name is PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test).
In the past, most test locations administered the PSAT/NMSQT on the second Wednesday in October. Now, with the digital test, schools will have more flexibility regarding dates in October that testing is offered. Families taking classes at CHESS on Mondays or Wednesdays are encouraged to try to take the test on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday.

The College Board advises homeschooled students to reach out to the local high school where they wish to take the test. Prince William County states, “High school-aged home instruction students may participate in Advanced Placement (AP) and Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) examinations and are eligible to receive free AP and PSAT testing opportunities to the same extent as students enrolled in Prince William County Public Schools. You must contact the school counseling department of your child’s base high school by September 1 for the PSAT registration information and November for AP test registration information. AP, SAT, and PSAT/NMSQT testing schedules are available on the School Division’s website under the Office of Student Services.” 

Now is a good time to start. Find a test location and online practice tests.  Be aware that many schools will not yet be in the College Board system. Even if your local school is listed as “Not Testing” it is recommended that you contact the guidance office of the school and ask about the PSAT.

If your student has a documented disability, it can take the College Board up to seven weeks to approve accommodations for the PSAT, so start now. If your student has a disability, and you don’t know what accommodations are available, or aren’t sure you need them, look into it, anyway. Accommodations are not unfair; they level the playing field. Learn more here and start now: Students with Disabilities

Do you have younger students looking for practice? The PSAT 8/9 is offered several times a year and the PSAT 10 is given in the spring. Or take the practice tests online or through a private company. Read more about it: PSAT8/9 and PSAT10

2025 PSAT/NMSQT

Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

Schools may administer the test between October 1-31
Saturday Test Dates: October 11 and/or 18
Learn more about testing or see a detailed timeline of dates on the College Board webpage