The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is aligned with the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) . The PSAT/NMSQT is structured similarly to the SAT, has the same sections and timing, and measures the same skills. Historically, students who took the PSAT/NMSQT scored better on the SAT, on average, than those who didn’t take the test. The PSAT/NMSQT is also a pathway to the National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) .