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 becoming a Commended Scholar can be a helpful addition to your application. The PSAT is offered to high school sophomores and juniors, and there are also versions of the test for eighth and ninth graders. The PSAT tests students skills in reading, writing, and math. The exam is designed to prepare students for the SAT and gauge college readiness. The PSAT is scored on a scale of 320-1520, and each section is scored on a scale of 160-760. The scores from the PSAT/NMSQT are used to determine eligibility and qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program. 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.