The PSAT is the practice test of the SAT, a standardized test that assesses students’ readiness for college. The PSAT can gain a student scholarships, as well as give a glimpse of what SAT exam day is going to be like. Many students at Hamburg are signed up for this pre-test on October 15, 2025.
The PSAT is taken mostly by juniors but there are other grades invited to take the test. Once signed up for the PSAT, the score is automatically sent out to national scholarship programs to help fund their college career. This of course can be opted out, but there are many resources available to practice for the pre-test, which will also make a student prepared for the actual SAT.
The college board site offers practice tests available for print and digital. On the regular SAT or PSAT there are both two modules for the reading and writing section and two modules for the math section. The scores on the first module of each section will determine what kind of module a student will get for the second module: easier if they scored bad, and harder if they scored well. The pre-tests on the college board site are non-adaptive, meaning there is no easier or harder second module. The pre-tests come complete with a scoring sheet and an answer key to help students calculate their scores and encourage them to check back on their answers.
Kaitlyn Gallagher says, “I printed out packets and look over the questions, I answer them and calculate my score. I also work with my friends to answer the questions and we work together on the problems.” When asked about a potential SAT study group she says, “I think I would rather work with my friends but I wouldn’t be opposed to the group, I think it would be a good idea.”
There are also other ways to study for the upcoming pre-test like the courses offered by Khan Academy. They have both reading and writing and math sections offered, covering every subject that could be on the test. Many students in Hamburg taking this exam have not been taught trigonometry or are currently enrolled geometry, meaning they were not yet taught the skills that are required for the exam.
Students taking the exam should start by viewing an outline or guide for what will be covered on the exam. Printing out a practice test or buying a book of PSAT’s would be remended, first going through blindly to get a base score and then seeing improvement with studying. Many students taking the PSAT are wanting to go to good colleges, like Alexis Freeland wanting to go to “A nursing college, mainly looking at Villanova.” Villanova is a competitive school, with only around a 25% acceptance rate. Most competitive schools are looking at SAT scores and taking the PSAT will help prepare students for the test, as well as skyrocket their chances of getting accepted.
Tanking the PSAT is amazing for students wanting to go to college and earning scholarships. It offers experience and learning opportunities for students. If a student has not signed up for it this year it will be run next year too. These resources are also great for students taking the SAT to refresh their minds and study for this tremendous exam.
For more information about prepping for the PSAT, visit mysat.collegeboard.org/dashboard
