The PSAT (Pre-SAT) and National Merit
Is your PSAT really soon? This is a PDF of my Emergency PSAT Strategy Guide.
katie_kirks_emergency_psat_study_guide.pdf | |
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The PSAT is actually really important.
The test itself is a shorter, easier SAT, but in 11th grade, it matters. The PSAT is the one and only way students qualify to be National Merit Finalists.
The PSAT test costs somewhere around $15 or $20, but getting National Merit Finalist status can pay off.
Here's Auburn's largest academic scholarship: http://www.auburn.edu/scholarship/undergraduate/national-scholars.html
That's a lot of money.
Getting it can be easier than you think.
Just jump through the hoops.
The PSAT test costs somewhere around $15 or $20, but getting National Merit Finalist status can pay off.
Here's Auburn's largest academic scholarship: http://www.auburn.edu/scholarship/undergraduate/national-scholars.html
That's a lot of money.
Getting it can be easier than you think.
Just jump through the hoops.
This is how National Merit works.
Do read the whole PDF sometime, but here are the highlights.
1. Take the PSAT in October of 11th grade. You can take it freshman or sophomore year, but that will only be for practice and it will not count for National Merit. Mouse over the "register" tab on this website and click "the PSAT and National Merit" to find out how to sign up at your school and how to sign up if you're homeschooled. If your school isn't listed, email your guidance counselor. Once you figure it out, please email us at [email protected] so we can add your findings to the website!
2. In Alabama, score higher than around a 208-211 out of 240 on the PSAT. This is definitely doable. The cutoff varies from year to year, but usually stays within this range. (Your scores will come in December of the year you took your PSAT.)
3. Receive a piece of paper in the mail that says you've been entered into the National Merit Competition.
4. Receive another piece of paper in the mail that says you're a National Merit Semifinalist.
5. Do the paperwork by the deadline, which includes sending National Merit any SAT score (aim for above a 1950 out of 2400), a counselor/academic endorser recommendation letter, and an essay.
6. Receive a third piece of paper in the mail announcing that you're a National Merit Finalist!
7. By May 1, choose a first choice college on your National Merit account (you'll have to have made your college choice by May 1 anyway).
8. If you go to Auburn, Alabama, or another university with big National Merit money (Oklahoma, anyone?), collect your scholarship money.
9. Ice cream.
2. In Alabama, score higher than around a 208-211 out of 240 on the PSAT. This is definitely doable. The cutoff varies from year to year, but usually stays within this range. (Your scores will come in December of the year you took your PSAT.)
3. Receive a piece of paper in the mail that says you've been entered into the National Merit Competition.
4. Receive another piece of paper in the mail that says you're a National Merit Semifinalist.
5. Do the paperwork by the deadline, which includes sending National Merit any SAT score (aim for above a 1950 out of 2400), a counselor/academic endorser recommendation letter, and an essay.
6. Receive a third piece of paper in the mail announcing that you're a National Merit Finalist!
7. By May 1, choose a first choice college on your National Merit account (you'll have to have made your college choice by May 1 anyway).
8. If you go to Auburn, Alabama, or another university with big National Merit money (Oklahoma, anyone?), collect your scholarship money.
9. Ice cream.
Here's where I tell you the secret.
The PSAT is honestly a mini SAT. It's shorter and easier, but it's very, very similar to the SAT. The ACT is a completely different animal, but the PSAT and SAT are like mother and child.
So take the October administration of the SAT your junior year, and then take the October PSAT (there's only one a year, in mid-October) a week and a half later.
This is like wearing a drag suit in swimming: prep yourself for the tougher exam (which you can take multiple times anyway, so there's not a lot of risk as long as your college is okay with you taking it lots of times), and the easier exam (which matters only once) will seem MUCH easier.
You are now armed with all the secrets I know, so go forth and conquer.
So take the October administration of the SAT your junior year, and then take the October PSAT (there's only one a year, in mid-October) a week and a half later.
This is like wearing a drag suit in swimming: prep yourself for the tougher exam (which you can take multiple times anyway, so there's not a lot of risk as long as your college is okay with you taking it lots of times), and the easier exam (which matters only once) will seem MUCH easier.
You are now armed with all the secrets I know, so go forth and conquer.