In 10th grade, the PSAT is considered a practice test and is not considered for merit or awards.
For 11th graders, the top scores in the country are honored and the best of the best can win a National Merit Scholarship. Even if they don't win the scholarship, they can still be named a National Merit Semifinalist and a National Merit Finalist which are great honors to put on a college application. Keep in mind these are the top scores in the country. My 85th percentile kids are smart but were never in contention. In their case, the PSAT is simply practice for the SAT.
12th graders do not take the PSAT.

Anonymous wrote:Only junior year "counts" for the national merit scholarship program. A whopping 1% of test takers get about $2500. It's an honor but I wouldn't say there are any real advantages. Kids that score that high have plenty of other awards and recognition for their college applications, so this doesn't make or break anyone.

Plenty of schools give full tuition based on NMSQT performance but not SAT.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only junior year "counts" for the national merit scholarship program. A whopping 1% of test takers get about $2500. It's an honor but I wouldn't say there are any real advantages. Kids that score that high have plenty of other awards and recognition for their college applications, so this doesn't make or break anyone.

I got that much back in the 1980s for being a semifinalist. My school never told me that I had to write a essay to qualify for more but there is indeed another level of scholarships you can apply for

I was a finalist in 1986. I didn't have to do an essay. I might have filled out a form, because my scholarship was specifically linked to the university I listed as top preference. I think any additional requirements were university-specific or awarding-company specific.

If you received money, you were likely a finalist.

Anonymous wrote:Is the difficulty level of the PSAT, the same as the actual SAT?

It's a bit easier but the scale is adjusted to match. The max score is 1520.

Is the difficulty level of the PSAT, the same as the actual SAT?

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks. So will my Sophomore child get another chance in junior year if DC is not a top scorer this year? Or can DC take PSAT test only one time, either this year or next year?

"While only students in grade 11 are eligible to compete for National Merit Scholarships, students in grade 10 who take the PSAT/NMSQT gain excellent practice for the PSAT/NMSQT in grade 11 and the SAT college entrance assessment."
Reference: https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/student-assessment-details/psat

OP here, thanks. So will my Sophomore child get another chance in junior year if DC is not a top scorer this year? Or can DC take PSAT test only one time, either this year or next year?

Anonymous wrote:Only junior year "counts" for the national merit scholarship program. A whopping 1% of test takers get about $2500. It's an honor but I wouldn't say there are any real advantages. Kids that score that high have plenty of other awards and recognition for their college applications, so this doesn't make or break anyone.

I got that much back in the 1980s for being a semifinalist. My school never told me that I had to write a essay to qualify for more but there is indeed another level of scholarships you can apply for

Only junior year "counts" for the national merit scholarship program. A whopping 1% of test takers get about $2500. It's an honor but I wouldn't say there are any real advantages. Kids that score that high have plenty of other awards and recognition for their college applications, so this doesn't make or break anyone.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the advantages of getting an excellent score in PSAT? DS is in sophomore, can DS also take the PSAT in junior year?

You can get scholarships.
Schools will ask you to apply and if you are poor will talk to you about financial aid.
If you wanted to apply to TJ, they look at your PSAT score.

I don't know of any scholarships awarded based on PSAT 10 performance

Anonymous wrote:It alerts schools you are a top scorer. I got lots of contacts.

Also known as "ads/". Not a big benefit.

OP, only your NMSQT and SAT performance matters

Anonymous wrote:What are the advantages of getting an excellent score in PSAT? DS is in sophomore, can DS also take the PSAT in junior year?

You can get scholarships.
Schools will ask you to apply and if you are poor will talk to you about financial aid.
If you wanted to apply to TJ, they look at your PSAT score.

It alerts schools you are a top scorer. I got lots of contacts.

What are the advantages of getting an excellent score in PSAT? DS is in sophomore, can DS also take the PSAT in junior year?