PSAT - what year(s) should a high school student take this exam?

[Sharon in SC]

I know it is the 11th grade year that counts for National Merit Scholarship. However, I have a current 9th grader and wonder if there is any merit (no pun intended) in having her take this exam in her 10th grade year. TIA for your thoughts on this!

[kathleen]

Most people seem to think it's good for practice to take it in 10th grade, but I haven't had either of my sons do so--the oldest was an NM Scholar, and, based on his score, I think my youngest will qualify, too. So, it certainly didn't hurt them to only take it once. I do have them take practice exams at home.

And, totally anecdotally, I know about half-a-dozen students who have taken the test in 10th grade, scored very well, only to do worse when they took it "for real." In several cases, this meant the difference between being a commended scholar and a semi-finalist.

Bottom line--it's up to you. If you think your child could use the practice being in the real setting, then it may be a good idea. But it's certainly not absolutely necessary.

[Margaret in CO]

Two advantages to PSAT early--if your student wants to take early college classes and you don't have SAT/ACT scores through an early program, the PSAT can substitute.. And we found it useful for summer seminars for military academies. A great deal of emphasis for CGA, USNA and USAFA was placed on that PSAT score. Oh, and another one--our car insurance accepted a PSAT score as a "good student report card" for a break on insurance! :D

[Denisemomof4]

and why we're really glad he did is because of what it showed us. He needs absolutely NO extra study in grammar and writing but while his scores were exceptional in math, it did show areas to improve (I believe Saxon ruined his ability to think things through in Algebra) and he's wanting to try Algebra again from a different view. It also showed that under pressure he reads slower and comprehension isn't what it normally is when he's not under pressure. So we're looking for ways to improve his test skills.
Denise

[GothicGyrl]

They say the earlier the better and our homeschool group allows 7th grade on up to take this, therefore, my soon to be 7th grader will be taking it next year, along with her sister(11th). And she will take it every year thereafter until it is time for the SAT.

[DollyM]

My DD took the PSAT in 9th, 10th and 11th. By 11th grade she was overconfident and bored with the whole testing scene. Her brother will not take it in 9th (seemed too much overkill to us) but he will take it in 10th for "practice" and then again in 11th for "real."

[JFS in IL]

he is an honor's student, got a 4 on World History AP exam as a 9th grader..so I think he thought this would be easy. HA! He did NOT score as high as he/we expected! Now he knows he DOES have to prepare for the "real" PSAT 9and later SAT/ACT stuff), so it proved a good eye-opener for him.

Downside - he has gotten mail every day (8 bits today!) from small little colleges that got his addie from the College Board. The excitment has worn off.

[Susan in IL]

Our local high school will not let anyone other than 11th graders take the test. Even their own students.