WHY THE PSAT MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK

The PSAT offers high school students an opportunity to experience standardized testing for college admission early in their junior and sophomore years. The question is, does this exam matter? Do you have to take it seriously? What effect does the PSAT have on your college aspirations? The benefits of taking this exam are unclear to many students, and they may be tempted to jump right into the SAT instead. It may surprise you, but the "Preliminary SAT" has a much greater impact than you might imagine. Let’s take a look at why your PSAT score is important and how it can help you gain an edge during college application time. 

Are PSATs Important to Colleges?

Often, high school students and parents want to know if colleges consider PSAT scores. In short, colleges don't consider PSAT scores when reviewing college applications. A PSAT score has no bearing on your college admissions chances, and colleges do not use PSAT scores to determine admissions. There is a greater chance of getting accepted or rejected without taking the SAT or ACT, unless the school allows students to apply without taking the test. This means that getting into a college won't be affected by a low PSAT total score. It is common for both students and parents to dismiss PSAT test prep once they hear this. However, prepping for your PSAT exam is actually more important than you think. 

Why the PSAT Does Matter

Yes, it’s true that a low score on your PSAT test will not impact your chances of getting into the college of your dreams. So why does the PSAT matter? Despite the fact that it may seem crazy to spend time on a test that doesn't matter, there are plenty of reasons to take it seriously. Here are the top 3 reasons why your PSAT score matters and how it can give you a competitive edge once you start applying for colleges. 

Three Ways to Gain a Competitive Edge with the PSAT

1. It’s The Perfect SAT Practice Test

“The more I practice, the luckier I get.”—Gary Player, South African professional golfer.

A study published in 1993 in Psychological Review found the significant difference between expert performers and "normal" performers was how much time they spent practicing. Due to the similarities of the PSAT exam and the SAT exam, the PSAT exam will give you a good idea of your readiness for the SAT. In order to perform well on the SAT, you should do some serious studying and prepping before you take the test, especially if you perform poorly on the PSAT. Based on your PSAT results, you will know what your strengths and weaknesses are so you can practice accordingly. You will know if you need exam prep tutoring and you will also know how to choose which subjects need your most attention in order to achieve the best results. Would you like to improve your odds of succeeding on the SAT? You should begin your PSAT test prep as soon as possible and take the test with confidence.

2. PSATs and Scholarship Opportunities

National Merit Scholarships are available to students who take the PSAT and are ranked among the top PSAT scorers. Several colleges offer scholarships, sometimes even free tuition, to National Merit finalists to recruit talented students. Colleges highly recruit students who are finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. It is also possible for National Merit finalists, semi-finalists, or commended students, to receive private scholarships from many companies. If you combine corporate scholarships, college scholarships, and college grants, you can accumulate tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships and college grants.

3. Make Connections with Colleges

We recommended taking the PSAT as part of your application strategy for the schools you wanted. Taking the PSAT gives you the option of enrolling in the College Board's free Student Search Service. Through that account, the College Board can tell colleges about your academic interests, extracurricular activities, and, of course, your test scores. Your mailbox will probably begin to fill with marketing promotions from these colleges. By reviewing these brochures, you can narrow down which colleges would be the best match for you. 

The PSAT is one of the most important tests for students who intend to compete for awards and scholarships, including the National Merit Scholarship. The PSAT test can also be used as a practice test for the SAT and as a tool to focus your studies. You’ll have better luck if you’re prepared, so if you’re not getting tutoring or test preparation, speak with one of our educated and passionate tutors at Bridging Gap. As college costs rise, taking the PSAT may result in extra money for your college fund. Contact the Bridging Gap centers for simple test preparation strategies, or join the mailing list to receive blog updates.