Opting Out of the PSAT: Any consequences?

My schedule's pretty hectic and I'm considering not taking the PSAT. Does anyone know if there are any consequences to skipping it, especially regarding college admissions or scholarship opportunities?

Hey there! It's completely understandable that you're considering skipping the PSAT given a hectic schedule. The main consequence of not taking the PSAT is missing out on eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program, which uses PSAT scores as its qualifying test. However, this program is highly competitive and only a small percentage of test-takers become finalists or earn scholarships. So, if you don't plan on aiming for National Merit recognition, and the colleges you're considering don't require the PSAT for scholarship consideration, your college admissions process won't be directly affected.

Remember, the PSAT is primarily a practice tool for the SAT, and you can find many other quality resources for SAT prep if that's a concern. That being said, even if you don't have the time to study for the PSAT, it can still be worth taking, as there's no consequence for a low score—in fact, sometimes having a sense of what your raw baseline is can be beneficial for ensuring you're being as targeted as possible in your studying.

If in doubt, consult with your high school counselor about your decision, as they can provide guidance tailored to your specific circumstances and aspirations. Best of luck with everything!