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 a practice version of the SAT exam, but it can also lead to more money for college. The highest performers on this exam are eligible to earn scholarships, and even qualify to receive a National Merit Scholarship. The PSAT is typically offered through high schools, and students take it as a sophomore or junior. The exam lasts just under three hours and tests math, reading, and writing abilities. The PSAT helps students prepare for the SAT by testing their skills in these areas. The PSAT is scored on a scale of 320-1520, and the highest score possible on the PSAT is 1520. The PSAT is a low-stakes test unless a student is aiming for a National Merit $2,500 Scholarship or one of the special scholarships. Colleges do not use the PSAT as part of admissions criteria, but taking the test can be a good way to identify shortcomings in a particular subject or to work out testing anxiety.