The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) tests will be given at Assumption High School on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 7:45 a.m. If you have a student who is interested in taking the PSAT test, please have your student stop in Student Services to register and pay the $18.00 fee by Tuesday, September 15, 2026. (Checks can be made out to Scott County Catholic Schools.)
WHAT IS THE PSAT?
The PSAT is a test given once a year in October. Many students take the PSAT, not only as preparation to take other standardized testing including the SAT, which is widely used as a criterion for college admissions, but also, as juniors, to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. The PSAT has sections covering Reading and Writing, Vocabulary, and Math. The Reading and Writing, and Vocabulary sections measure a student’s potential success with college and career readiness in literacy. The Math section measures math fluency, understanding, and ability to apply concepts, skills, and practices.
Though it is only the scores from the PSAT taken in your junior year that are considered for the National Merit Scholarship competition, some students will take the PSAT as sophomores for practice with standardized testing. The selection process starts with the choosing of National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists and Commended Scholars. Cutoffs vary from state to state but typically Semi-Finalists score in the top one percent of students in their state and Commended Scholars between the top one to four percent.
For more information on the PSAT, click on the following link. https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt
Click here for PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide