Albany High School will administer the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT) during the school day on Wednesday, Oct. 13 starting at 8:30 a.m. Any sophomore or junior may take the test.
Description of the PSAT
The PSAT is a national test that measures students’ abilities in critical reading, math and writing. Students will be able to see how their scores compared to other sophomores and juniors across the country. In addition, the PSAT is a great way to prepare for the SAT, which juniors will have the opportunity to take in the spring as they continue on their pathway to college and careers.
The PSAT consists of the following:
- Reading Test – 60 minutes, 47 questions
- Writing and Language Test – 35 minutes, 44 questions
- Math Test, No Calculator Portion – 25 minutes, 17 questions
- Math Test, Calculator Portion – 45 minutes, 31 questions
Taking the PSAT allows you to connect with scholarship opportunities if you chose, and your score on the test may qualify you for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program.
Test day schedule
- 8:15-8:30 a.m. Breakfast
- 8:30-8:40 a.m. Students report to assigned classrooms to take the PSAT
- 8:40 a.m.-noon PSAT testing
- Noon-12:30 p.m. Students provided lunch
- 12:30 p.m. Students report to Period 6 class
Registering for the PSAT
The cost of the exam is $18 per student. Students should register and make payment at the main office by Wednesday, Oct. 6. Cash and checks will be accepted. Please make checks payable to “Albany High School.”
Fee waivers are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis to those who qualify. Please see the eligibility guidelines below. Students who qualify should see their school counselor to request a fee waiver.
Who’s eligible for a fee waiver?
Eleventh graders must qualify on an individual basis. Learn about the waiver here. Eleventh graders also may qualify for fee waivers if any of the following statements is true:
- Their family annual income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service.
- They are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families
- Their family receives public assistance
- Their family is homeless or lives in federally subsidized public housing or a foster home
- They are a ward of the state or an orphan
Preparing for the PSAT
The best way to prepare for these tests is to take charge of your education and learn as much as you can:
- Take challenging courses
- Do your homework
- Prepare for tests and quizzes
- Ask and answer lots of questions
You also can prepare for the PSAT with free resources from College Board and Khan Academy,
If you have any questions about the PSAT please feel free to call the guidance office or email your counselor. Additional info about the test can also be found here.
