In Maryland, the cutoff for NMSF is very high.

Anonymous wrote:Is the NMSF qualifying test only for juniors?

Yes, the one you take fall of junior year

Is the NMSF qualifying test only for juniors?

Op here and thank you all for the information.

PSAT has two main benefits - one applies to everyone and the second applies particularly to high scoring kids - 1) prep test for SAT (time management, feel for the test, identification of areas to study...etc.) and 2) NMSF competition. While scholarship amount is only 2000, becoming NMSF/NMF/NMS can lead to a lot of money for school.

Anonymous wrote:Didn't you post this yesterday?

No and I’m sorry if I missed a thread and posted redundant post.

Anonymous wrote:To practice. For the SAT.

Op here. Funny, and the obvious answer. I guess I just don’t remember it being a major schoolwide event. It seems now that you opt out of it rather than opt into it, which made me wonder what the purpose was (aside from practice).

I remember my parents buying the SAT books and practicing on my own and studying for hours on end!

Didn't you post this yesterday?

College Board trying to stay relevant in a test optional world.

Anonymous wrote:Why are 8th graders taking the PSAT?

Which 8th graders are taking it?
Here, it's typically 10th & 11th graders to practice for the SAT and qualify for scholarships (if in 11th).

To practice. For the SAT.

Why are 8th graders taking the PSAT?

It doesn't count for college admissions directly, but high scorers can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. And it can give kids an indea about how prepared they are for the SAT.

To practice and prep for the SAT or to qualify for merit scholarships. That’s it.

What is the purpose of the PSAT? Does it count for anything? I remember only a few people taking it, not me.