The PSATs, also known as the Preliminary SATs, are rigorous standardized tests that can be quite stressful for students. The PSAT is essentially a practice test for the SAT, which is required by many colleges. However, it is worth noting that not all colleges require the SAT – some accept the ACT instead. The PSAT is a yearly requirement not for seniors but for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

Preparing for college can be a daunting task, and choosing a major can be especially overwhelming, but the PSAT can help by showing your strengths in certain fields. The PSAT can also help students track their improvement and identify areas where they need to focus their efforts.

However, if you have some idea of what you are majoring in, taking tests and classes that align with your major, like AP Exams, can significantly increase your chances of getting accepted into your desired program. These tests help match students with scholarships and programs that are tailored to their particular fields of study.

The stress that standardized tests bring is sometimes super hard to deal with. It makes the classroom tense, with all the pressure that’s riding on you to get a good score. There is a time limit, making it harder for students to think on the spot and not spend all their time on one question. Some tests only give you 30 minutes for 45 questions, and because of that, students often stress so much during the test that they can’t concentrate. It lasts for around three hours, so keeping your energy up can be hard to manage.

Another really important and cool thing that can happen if you get a high score on the PSAT is you can win the National Merit Scholarship. The National Merit Scholarship is a scholarship that focuses on the PSAT scores only, which happens when you get into the top 1% of scores in your state. Arizona’s state requirement is a score of 216 or higher. The highest possible score you can get on the PSAT is 760 for each section.

In fact, our very own Sahuaro Cougar, senior Michelle Calderon, was selected for the National Merit Scholarship, earning $18,000 a year for her schooling. Congratulations to Michelle and good luck to all.