PSAT/NMSQT

A National Merit scholar QUALIFYING test for Juniors

Why PSAT/NMSQT?

The PSAT/NMSQT is highly relevant to your future success because they focus on the skills and knowledge at the heart of education. They’ll measure:

  • What you learn in high school

  • What you need to succeed in college

If you think the key to a high score is memorizing words and facts you’ll never use in the real world, think again. You don’t have to discover secret tricks or cram the night before.

The best way to prepare for the test is to:

  • Take challenging courses

  • Do your homework

  • Prepare for tests and quizzes

  • Ask and answer lots of questions

  • In short, take charge of your education and learn as much as you can.

Student Entry Requirements

To participate in the National Merit® Scholarship Program, a student must:

  1. take the PSAT/NMSQT® in the specified year of the high school program and no later than the third year in grades 9 through 12, regardless of grade classification or educational pattern;

  2. be enrolled as a high school student (traditional or homeschooled), progressing normally toward graduation or completion of high school, and planning to accept admission to college no later than the fall following completion of high school; and

  3. attend high school in the United States, the District of Columbia, or U.S. commonwealth and territory; or meet the citizenship requirements for students attending high school outside the United States (see below).

Students attending high school outside the U.S.: To be eligible for the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program, students attending high school outside the United States must be a citizen of the United States; or be a U.S. lawful resident (or have applied for permanent residence, the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law.

The student's responses to items on the PSAT/NMSQT student Answer Sheet Instructions that are specific to NMSC program entry determine whether the individual meets requirements to participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Score reports provided for test takers and their schools indicate whether the student meets program entry requirements. A school official or the student should report immediately to NMSC any error or change in reported information that may affect participation.