Is it really necessary to prepare for PSAT or not? We have got the answers for you. PSAT is the examination for Merit Scholarship Quality Test which is being regulated by the College Board as well as Co-Sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in the United States Of America.

Though your PSAT is not going to make any changes in your GPA or be a hurdle in your admissions, but getting good scores in the test can get you a few scholarships including the National Merit Scholarship.

There are approximately 1.6 million students who take up the exam, out of which only 50,000 get the chance to receive the scholarship. If you are one of those who want to get a scholarship, then you must prepare for the exam. Your preparations can help you to get good scores and make you eligible for the scholarship.

The length of PSAT examination is 2 hours and 45 minutes, which includes reading, writing, language and math. In order to pass the test, you need to put effort into your preparation. The PSAT score will also help you to know about your SAT scores and help you to understand your weak areas in SAT.

If you are one of the students who gets extraordinary index scores, you will receive a certificate of National Merit Recognition

Once you decide to take up the examination, you need to prepare hard as the PSAT is directly linked to SAT scores and if you get good scores in PSAT practice papers then you can take up the SAT too.

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Preparing for the PSAT can also help you to save time and money, which you were supposed to spend for the SAT.  The preparation can boost up your confidence as you already know what kind of questions are going to be there in the test. PSAT can be your gateway to get good scores in SAT.

If you are willing to take up the exam for National Merit, then you should be prepared before the test, and if you are the one who is just giving the test for curiosity, then the decision of preparation depends upon you. Not everyone needs to take the PSAT. If you are going to take up ACT instead of SAT then the PSAT will be of no benefit to you. 

How to prepare for PSAT-

1. KNOW THE FORMAT OF PSAT – Knowing the format of any examination is important before you take up the exam so that you can divide your time and know about what to do in order to score good marks. The PSAT contains fewer questions as compared to the SAT and is of 2 hours 45 minutes which is further divided as 60 minutes for reading, 35 minutes for writing and language, 25 minutes for math without calculator, and 45 minutes for math with calculator. For better understanding of the PSAT format, you should take up several practice tests. The practice tests will include all types of questions that came in the PSAT.
    
2. SET A SPECIFIC PSAT GOAL SCORE – Setting up a score as goal for PSAT will make it easier for you to prepare. You should aim for 1400-1800 to get National Merit. The PSAT goal score should be higher than that of your state’s score as all the states have their own standards. Your PSAT score can directly link you to SAT scores.
    
3. TAKE PRACTICE TESTS AND KNOW ABOUT YOUR MISTAKES – Taking up practice tests would help you to know about how the test is going to be and will make you know about your weak points. The weak points and mistakes will help you to analyze your performance and give you time to get better.

In order to prepare for the test, you should have high quality preparation materials to help you perform better on the test. Preparing for the test depends upon you and the reason that you are going to give it.