Does the PSAT matter?

There are a few good reasons to care about the PSAT, but first things first—it’s not nearly as important as the SAT/ACT. The key difference is that those tests will be sent to colleges as part of your applications in Senior year. The PSAT will not be sent to colleges!

For most students, the PSAT is helpful as it offers you a helpful baseline for your SAT score. The PSAT and SAT are very similar tests, so your PSAT scores should be a good predictor of your SAT capabilities. For a small group of students, the PSAT can also help them qualify for a National Merit Scholarship.