Why the PSAT is Almost Irrelevant

Study for the SAT or ACT instead.

Frenzied study for the PSAT is not worthwhile this fall. This year’s PSAT does not align with the SAT until March! Time spent studying for the PSAT thus takes away from studying for the ACT or current SAT (in use through January). Even a "perfect" PSAT is useless for college admissions recognition if it’s not backed up by a high SAT or ACT. Most colleges don’t even consider PSAT scores.

If interested in the financial side, AT MOST a great PSAT score gets you $2500 from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Some higher awards exist from outside groups, but you need to first be a member of that group (minority, or employee’s child).

By contrast, if you concentrate on the SAT, you are in line for $50,000 or more in merit-based money. You need not be a member of a group, and these scholarships are NOT need-based. They are available from colleges that view the high-scoring student who will attend their institution as a talented asset.

Ivy Bound now tracks the awards its scholarship-seeking students receive. Our Scholarship-seeking students report average 4-year awards exceeding $118,000.

Because it’s a vastly different test, PSAT study right now dilutes SAT study. We’d rather see our ambitious juniors do almost anything other than PSAT prep (including sleep).

We predict that students who study for the PSAT at the expense of the SAT or ACT will rue the trade-off.