Preliminary Academic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Eligibility Test(English: Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, PSAT/NMSQT), also known asAcademic Assessment Test Pre-Testis a standardized test sponsored by the College Board and jointly sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). In the 2018-2019 school year, a total of 2.27 million high school sophomores and 1.74 million high school seniors signed up to take the PSAT[1]. According to the American Merit Scholarship Agency, 3.5 million students will take this exam by 2024.[2]。
Logo used since 2017
PSAT/NMSQT scores are used to determine student eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program[3]。
Since 1971, the PSAT has been administered every fall. PSAT scores taken before June 1993 will also be used as proof of membership in high IQ societies such as Intertel and Mensa International.[4][5]。
The PSAT prior to 1997 included only two sections: math and verbal. At that time, the weight of the language component was doubled, bringing the total score to 240 points.[6]. In 1997, the PSAT added a “Writing Skills Section”, some of which were derived from the discontinued “Test of Standard Written English” (TSWE)[7]。
In the fall of 2015, the PSAT made adjustments to the test format and content[8]. Initially, the PSAT consisted of three sections, each with a scoring range of 20-80, for a total score of 240[8]. This is similar in structure to the SAT, but each section of the SAT is scored from 200 to 800 points (different scoring ranges are used to distinguish which test the score comes from, and scores with a narrower scoring range are less accurate). However, unlike the 2005 version of the SAT, the old version of the PSAT did not include advanced mathematics (such as Algebra II concepts), and its writing section did not have an essay (the SAT added an essay section in 2005)[来源请求]. In addition, the number of options for multiple-choice questions has been reduced from five to four, increasing the chance of guessing correctly and eliminating the 0.25 point penalty for wrong answers.[8]。
As the College Board moves toward digital SAT testing globally, the first digital PSAT will be held in October 2023[9]。
Examination process and scoring method
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Students are required to pass a registration exam at a high school that is accredited by the College Board. The test consists of two parts: Reading and Writing and Mathematics. The reading and writing section has a time limit of 64 minutes, and the math section has a time limit of 70 minutes, for a total of 2 hours and 14 minutes.[10]。
In the fall of 2023, the PSAT has changed the test format and content again and continues the transition to digital testing[11]. Reading and writing sections combined into a single score[12]and the math section now allows the use of calculators in all questions[11]. The scoring range for each part is changed to 160-760 points, with a total score of 1520 points[12]. Merit Scholarship will double the reading and writing scores, add the math scores, and divide the total by 10[13]thereby calculating the Selection Index, which ranges from 48 to 228 points[12]。
There are three levels of recognition of PSAT scores: “Commended”, “Semi-Finalists” and “Finalists”. Among them, about 34,000 students (i.e. 3-4% of all candidates) are “shortlisted” and have received a Letter of Commendation.[14]。
Students are recognized as “semifinalists” one year after taking the PSAT, during their senior year of high school. They then submit an application to be considered a “finalist,” including grade point average, extracurricular activities, school recommendations, awards and honors received, and SAT or ACT scores. As of 2024, approximately 95% of “semi-finalists” have become “finalists”[15]。
In recent years, the PSAT has become a hot topic among test takers on major social media platforms. Candidates will make fun of some strange and interesting articles or questions in the exam. In 2013, the #PSAT hashtag even trended on Twitter as the exam approached[16]. Starting in 2012, candidates are required to copy and sign a statement agreeing to abide by the exam rules, which include not discussing the exam content. Previously, the statement was required to be written in handwriting. However, many students find it difficult to write in handwriting, which has caused dissatisfaction among students and teachers. Starting in 2015, this handwriting requirement was removed[16][17]。
