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Duke University
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

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Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Do colleges require the PSAT for admissions in states like California?

I'm feeling a bit anxious here—can someone tell me if the PSAT is required for college admissions, especially in California? I know it's tied to the National Merit Scholarship and all, but does it actually impact my college apps?

11 months ago

Rest assured, the PSAT is not required for college admissions in California or anywhere else in the United States. Its primary purpose is to serve as a practice test for the SAT and to qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program. While the PSAT can provide valuable experience with standardized testing, your college applications will not be impacted by your scores on this exam.

Colleges will look at your SAT or ACT scores, instead. When you do take the SAT or ACT, just make sure to prepare thoroughly, as those are the scores that will be part of your college applications. Good luck!

11 months ago

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