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PSAT/NMSQT

Land O’ Lakes High School will offer the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) the week of October 21, 2024. The cost for Freshman (Grade 9) and Juniors (Grade 11) to take the PSAT/NMSQT is $14.00, cash, check or paid on https://www.studentquickpay.com/pasco/ by Friday, September 6, 2024. The Department of Education will pay for all Sophomores (Grade 10) to take the PSAT/NMSQT, unless a parent indicated they do not want their student to test on their Parent Bill of Rights. This test is used as a counseling and diagnostic tool, which can be used to foster student thought about advanced coursework and college/career planning.  While this test is optional, there are many benefits for students, including:

  • The PSAT/NMSQT test is an indicator of performance on the SAT college entrance exam. Students may choose to link their results on the PSAT/NMSQT to a Khan Academy account to receive a personalized plan for preparing for the SAT.
  • The PSAT/NMSQT includes reading, math, and writing/language components that focus on the knowledge and skills that are most essential for college and career readiness and success; it is also used as a diagnostic tool to measure and follow student performance and pinpoint areas for development.
  • High School students can meet published program entry and participation requirements enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT during their junior year of high school. More details available here: https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=424
  • The PSAT/NMQST test results can help identify each student’s potential for academic success at the postsecondary level and lead to discussion about future educational plans.
  • The PSAT/NMSQT can also serve as an opportunity for students to earn a concordant score to meet the Algebra 1 EOC graduation requirement. Students must score 430 or higher on the mathematics section on the PSAT/NMSQT.
  • The PSAT/NMSQT test results will provide high school counselors with information to help identify students who may be ready to enroll and be successful in Advanced Placement and other college preparatory courses or identify students who may need additional instruction to do so.
  • Every student who takes the PSAT/NMSQT is given access to multiple online resources that provide personalized SAT preparation, as well as college and career planning tools – all at no cost to the student or their family. These resources include:
    • A PSAT/NMSQT score report that includes answers with detailed explanations.
    • A personalized SAT study plan when the student links their PSAT results to the Khan Academy SAT Prep site.
    • A report that shows the Advanced Placement courses in which the student shows the opportunity to be successful.

You may visit https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt for more information, including practice tests and sample questions, as well as for more information on the calculator policy.

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Marriott at (813) 794-9400 or smarriot@pasco.k12.fl.us or Jennifer Gaete, Assessment Coordinator at (813) 794-9400 or jgaete@pasco.k12.fl.us