Hey folks! I'm a sophomore and our school offers the PSAT 10. I know junior year PSAT scores can qualify you for National Merit Scholarships, but do scores from the PSAT 10 also matter for scholarships, or is it more of a practice run? Just trying to figure out if I should take it seriously or focus my energy elsewhere.
Hey there! It sounds like you’re gearing up to make some strategic decisions about your testing plan—good for you! You’re correct that the National Merit Scholarships are tied to the PSAT/NMSQT, which you’ll take in your junior year, not the PSAT 10. The PSAT 10 is indeed more of a practice run; it's essentially the same test as the PSAT/NMSQT, but it's designed for sophomores and isn't used for scholarship qualification.
However, taking it seriously can still be beneficial as it gives you a good indication of where you stand and what areas you need to focus on for the actual PSAT/NMSQT—and the earlier you have this info, the better. It serves as a great diagnostic tool and can take some of the pressure off for the PSAT/NMSQT since you’ll already be familiar with the format and types of questions you’ll encounter. So, while it might not be tied to scholarships directly, it can certainly help you build the foundation to perform well when it counts next year! Best of luck!
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