PSAT in 8th Grade - Is It Worth It?

I have this option to take the PSAT in 8th grade. I'm thinking, would it be a good move or just unnecessary stress at this point?

Taking the PSAT in 8th grade can be a helpful practice experience, but it is not necessary for college admissions. This early testing can serve as a diagnostic tool or a baseline for you - giving you an early understanding of the areas where you have strengths and where you might need to focus more as you prepare for the SAT. It can also simply help you familiarize yourself with the format and timing of standardized tests, so you're not completely new to it when it comes time to take the SAT or ACT.

However, it's important to understand that PSAT scores from 8th grade do not count for National Merit Scholarship consideration or anything college-admission related. PSAT/NMSQT, which is taken in the junior year, is the qualifying test for National Merit.

So while it could be a useful experience, it doesn't hold any significant import for your high school or admissions journey. Therefore, if you feel it might create unnecessary stress or pressure, it is perfectly okay to skip it for now. Ultimately, it all depends on how comfortable you are with the idea of starting early preparation. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, so go with what feels best for you.