I just took the PSAT and I'm not too confident about my performance. I've heard people talk about retaking the SAT, but can the same be done for the PSAT? If so, what are the rules around it and when would the retake happen?
Technically, you do have the opportunity to retake the PSAT, but it's not quite as straightforward as the SAT. Normally, students take the PSAT/NMSQT in their junior year, and this is the score that counts for the National Merit Scholarship competition. However, many students also take the PSAT 10 in their sophomore year or the PSAT 8/9 in earlier grades, which can serve as practice for the junior year PSAT/NMSQT.
If you’re a sophomore or a freshman, you can definitely take the PSAT again next year. But if you’re a junior and this was your year to be considered for National Merit, there isn't an official 'retake' the way there is with the SAT. On the bright side, the PSAT is primarily a practice test and learning experience for the SAT, so use this as an opportunity to pinpoint areas for improvement when you're preparing for upcoming SAT test dates.
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