The PSAT Is Coming: What It Does, and Doesn't, Mean for College Admissions
For many sophomores and juniors, October means the PSAT, and along with it, a familiar round of questions about how much the test actually matters. The most important thing to know upfront: colleges do not use PSAT scores in admissions decisions. That said, the test is still worth taking seriously, particularly as families start thinking through the broader testing and college planning process.
Will Colleges See the Score?
No. Students do not submit PSAT scores as part of their college applications, and admissions offices do not factor them into decisions. A disappointing score will not hurt a student's college admissions prospects, and a strong score does not guarantee future SAT performance or admission to a selective school.
It helps to think of the PSAT as useful information rather than an outcome.
What About National Merit?
For eligible juniors, the PSAT/NMSQT also serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Students with especially strong scores may be recognized as Commended Students or National Merit Semifinalists. Semifinalists, who go on to meet additional requirements can become finalists, some of whom receive scholarship money.
Only about the top 1 percent of juniors nationally reach Semifinalist standing. However, the specific score needed to qualify varies by state, since each state's cutoff is set to represent the top scorers from that state rather than the entire nation.
Using the PSAT to Shape a Testing Plan
Because the PSAT is closely aligned with the SAT in format and content, the results can reveal useful information: academic strengths, areas that may need more attention, and how comfortable a student feels with standardized testing generally.
That said, a PSAT score should not automatically steer a student toward the SAT by default. Some students perform better on the ACT, and which test makes more sense often becomes clearer only after trying practice material from both. The PSAT is a useful starting point for that conversation, but not a verdict on which test is right.
Testing Policies Still Vary by College
Testing requirements continue to differ considerably across colleges, and they have shifted in both directions on the pendulum since the pandemic. Some schools remain test-optional, some are test-free, and a growing number of selective and public universities have reinstated testing requirements over the past two years.
UT Austin is a clear example of this shift: the university requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants for the current admissions cycle, a policy it reinstated after several years of being test-optional. A Texas student with UT Austin on the list needs to factor testing into the timeline accordingly. A student whose list leans heavily test-optional may have more flexibility in deciding whether, and when, to submit scores. This is one more reason it is worth researching testing policies for specific colleges early, even if a student’s college list is far from being finalized.
Keeping the PSAT in Perspective
The PSAT does not define a student's academic potential, and it will not determine where a student can ultimately go to college. What it does offer is useful information. Once scores arrive, families can look at them alongside the student's academic record, the colleges beginning to interest that student, and the testing landscape at those schools. The PSAT is not a verdict, but a starting point for future conversations about testing, timeline, and eventually the college list itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a low PSAT score affect college admissions?
No. PSAT scores are never submitted with college applications and play no role in admissions decisions at any college.
What score does my student need for National Merit recognition?
Qualifying scores vary by state and change slightly each year, since each state's Semifinalist cutoff is set relative to that state's test takers rather than test takers throughout the entire country. Roughly the top 1 percent of juniors nationally reach Semifinalist standing.
Should a strong PSAT score mean my student plans to take the SAT?
Not necessarily. The PSAT is a useful early signal, but some students ultimately score better on the ACT. It is worth trying practice material for both before committing to one test.
Do all colleges require SAT or ACT scores now?
No. Testing policies vary significantly and continue to shift. Some colleges remain test-optional or test-free, while many others have reinstated testing requirements in recent cycles.
When should we start thinking about standardized testing?
There is no need to have a full plan by October of sophomore or junior year, but PSAT results are a natural, low-pressure moment to start the conversation about testing timeline and the kinds of colleges your student is beginning to consider. While there is no right or wrong time, many students at College Bound prep for the SAT/ACT the summer before eleventh grade. Typically, they take their first official test as early as August before junior year, and their last test as late as the fall of senior year for students who want one more attempt.
Looking for help as you navigate the college admissions process? Email College Bound's experts using our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!
