So I've heard different things from different people, and I just want to get it straight. Which year's PSAT is the one that counts for National Merit consideration? Junior year, or do the sophomore year scores matter as well?
To cut right to the chase, it's the PSAT you take in your junior year, officially called the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), that counts for National Merit consideration. Scores from your sophomore year PSAT, or any other year, are not considered for National Merit scholarships. Although taking the PSAT as a sophomore can be beneficial for practice, only the scores from the junior year exam are used to determine eligibility for National Merit recognition. Each high school has its own schedule for when it administers the PSAT/NMSQT, so it’s best that you confirm the date with your school to ensure that you don’t miss it. Remember to prepare well for the test, as the competition for National Merit can be quite stiff, depending on your state.
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