The PSAT/NMSQT stands for the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It is a standardized test administered by the College Board and cosponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in the United States. The PSAT is mostly a practice version of the SAT, but it can also lead to more money for college. The highest performers on this exam are eligible to earn scholarships, and even becoming a Commended Scholar can be a helpful addition to your application. The PSAT helps you prepare for the SAT by testing your math, reading, and writing skills. Beyond practice, high-scoring students can earn national recognition, including a National Merit Scholarship. The PSAT is scored on a scale of 320-1520. Students start with a raw score for each section (Math, Reading, Writing and Language), and the College Board then calculates test scores on a scale of 8-38. The PSAT is offered nationally every year in October, beginning in the fall of 2023. The PSAT is 2 hours and 45 minutes long and tests your skills in reading, writing, and math. The PSAT tests your ability to improve the quality of a writers message, answering how the argument or narrative can be better developed, organized, or written. The PSAT is available in three levels: PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and PSAT/NMSQT. The PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying test for junior students to enter the National Merit Scholarship competition.